The People Speak: LeVar Burton to get Guest Hosting Slot On 'Jeopardy!'

LeVar Burton has been announced as part of the final group of guest hosts who will round out the show’s 37th season in the wake of the death of beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek last November, Variety reports.

Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards said the goal has been to present a "wide variety" of guests hosts with different skill sets and backgrounds on the journey to finding a permanent host.

"Our passionate fans are telling us what they like, and we are listening," Richards said, per Variety. “ All of the guest hosts have brought individualism, energy and an authentic love of our show to each of their episodes. We look forward to sharing the rest of the season with our viewers.”

A Change.org petition garnering over 246,000 signatures has shown support for Burton to take the permanent role.

He's known for hosting and producing PBS’ Reading Rainbow and starring as Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Kunta Kinte in Roots.

Variety reports that Burton has won 13 Emmys, a George Foster Peabody and a Grammy. He currently hosts his own podcast, “LeVar Burton Reads.”

Guest hosts on-deck include Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos, his fellow anchor Robin Roberts, CNBC Squawk on the Street co-anchor and former “Celebrity Jeopardy!” champ David Faber, and three-time National Sportscaster of the Year award winner sportscaster Joe Buck, who is known for covering NFL and MLB games on Fox, the article states.

A charity of each guest host's choice has received a donation as part of his or her appearance.

Jeopardy! star Ken Jennings was the first to kickoff the guest hosting this season, followed by Katie Couric, Bill Whitaker, Mayim Bialik, Dr. Oz, Savannah Guthrie, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Aaron Rodgers.