Despite the selection of Mike Richards as the new host of Jeopardy! for the time being, supporters hope that LeVar Burton returns to helm the show. A Morning Consult study, reported on Mediaite, found that 14% of viewers said they would select Burton to take over the quiz show. When it came to Richards, only 3% of supporters agreed with him.
Jeopardy! has gone through an entire season of celebrity guest hosts in the aftermath of Alex Trebek’s untimely death, with the promise that one of them would eventually become the show’s new permanent host. Fans approached the season as if it were a live audition, but Sony Television Pictures officials ultimately chose Richards, an executive producer on Jeopardy!, over all the other A-listers who competed. Fans have been outraged ever since, and Burton appeared to be the frontrunner based on social media discussion. Now, the poll demonstrates just how strong that sentiment is.
Burton was a fan favourite from the start — he only made it to the Jeopardy! platform as a result of petitions and social media campaigns from his admirers. He presented the show for a week, and many people believed that he matched the concept perfectly. The actor released a message in which he expressed gratitude for the love and support he has gotten from fans.
“I have said many times over these past weeks that no matter the outcome, I’ve won,” Burton tweeted.
“The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and fans alike has been incredible! If love is the ultimate blessing and I believe that it is, I am truly blessed beyond measure.”
The producers of Jeopardy! chose Richards to host the show’s regular syndicated edition, while actress Mayim Bialik would present spinoffs and special event episodes. Bialik came in second place to Burton with 13% of voters’ ballots in the Morning Consult poll.
The poll also showed that “more than half of Jeopardy! viewers (54 percent) said the new hosts made them neither more nor less interested in watching the game show.”
“About 1 in 3 viewers (32 percent) said they were more interested in tuning in, while 14 percent said the casting choices made them less interested,” Mediaite‘s report added. Some votes went to other guest hosts from throughout the season including Katie Couric, Aaron Rodgers, Anderson Cooper, Robin Roberts, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and former Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings.
Jeopardy! is now on summer vacation, but will return in the fall with Richards presenting the main programme and Bialik hosting at least one spinoff. Thus far, the producers of Jeopardy! have made no comment on the poll on the new hosts.
Photo by Daytime Emmy Awards 2021 via Getty Images