‘Jeopardy!’ taps LeVar Burton, Robin Roberts as new guest hosts

LeVar Burton was the subject of a fan petition to bring him on as a guest host of "Jeopardy!". File Photo by Gregg DeGuire/UPI

April 21 (UPI) — “Jeopardy!” announced five new guest hosts will helm the game show in the coming weeks, including LeVar Burton and Robin Roberts.

Also joining the 37th season of the trivia show will be George Stephanopoulos, David Faber and Joe Buck. They are among several celebrities who have temporarily filled in as host in the months after long-time host Alex Trebek‘s death from cancer in November.

Burton, best known as the host of “Reading Rainbow” and for his roles in “Roots” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” joins the show after a social media campaign and fan petition to bring him on board.

“THANK YOU… to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting ‘Jeopardy!,’ and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you in me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time,” Burton tweeted.

He’ll host the show July 26-30.

Among the previously announced hosts, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper began his two-week stint on the show Monday and will be followed by “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker May 3-14. “Call Me Kat” actor Mayim Bialik hosts May 31-June 11, “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie hosts June 14-25 and CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta hosts June 28-July 9.

“Good Morning America” co-anchors Stephanopoulos and Roberts will host July 12-16 and July 19-23, respectively; “Squawk on the Street” co-host Faber will host Aug. 2-6; and Fox sportscaster Buck will host Aug. 9-13.

Previous guest hosts included “Jeopardy!” record-holder Ken Jennings, “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” Executive Producer Mike Richards, journalist Katie Couric, “The Doctor Oz Show” host Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

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