Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Ian Tuttle/Getty
LeVar BurtonhasRyan Reynoldsfirmly in his corner.
Burton, 64, was one of 15 celebrities to guest hostJeopardy!in the months followingAlex Trebek’s death due to cancer.
Later that day, Reynolds, 44, showed his support for Burton in wake of the news with a brief anecdote about how he landed his role inDeadpool.
“Pretty consistently from 2013 to 2015 Deadpool would explode on Twitter with fans wanting me to play him. It was awkward because I agreed with them but the studio didn’t see it. Ultimately the fans won and the rest is glorious history. I’m forever grateful,“he wrote. “Hi @levarburton.”
In the meantime, guests will resume hostingJeopardy!while Sony Pictures Television seeks a new permanent host for the show, according to Richards' memo. Details are expected to be announced next week.
Mike Richards.Frederick M. Brown/Getty
Before his episodes aired, theStar Trek: The Next Generationactor said hevery much hopedto land the role in an interview withThe New York Timesin June.
“It will hurt. I’m not going to lie,“Burton told the publication. “But if that happens, I will get over it. I will be fine. Remember: Everything happens perfectly and for a reason. That is my default. It’s all going to be OK. Because it always is.”
Jeopardy!has been a part of Burton’s life longer than Trebek was host (He first began watching “more or less every night” of his life when Art Fleming held the title). He toldTheTimesthat he feels like hosting the “cultural touchstone” is ultimately “what I’m supposed to do.”
Ian Tuttle/Getty
“Look, I have had a career for the [expletive] ages.Roots,Star Trek,Reading Rainbow. Won a Grammy. Got a shelf full of Emmys. I’m a storyteller, and game shows are tremendous stories. There’s a contest, there’s comedy, there’s drama. If you don’t know your [expletive] onJeopardy!,you’re sunk in full view of the entire nation. The stakes are high. I love that,” he shared candidly.
In early August,Burton tweetedthat “no matter the outcome” of the hosting search, he felt he had “won.”
“The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and fans alike has been incredible!” he added. “If love is the ultimate blessing and I believe that it is, I am truly blessed beyond measure.”
Richards' taped episodes ofJeopardy!are still expected to air.
source: people.com
