Home  ›  Jeopardy contestant flops as LeVar Burton makes debut as guest host

Jeopardy contestant flops as LeVar Burton makes debut as guest host

Edit
Breadcrumb Trail Links
  • Television
  • Celebrity

    • Author of the article:

    Mark Daniell LeVar Burton started his guest host stint on Jeopardy! this week. LeVar Burton started his guest host stint on Jeopardy! this week. Photo by Twitter

    Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

    Article content

    LeVar Burton’s stint as guest host on Jeopardy! got off to a memorable start.

    Monday’s episode of the popular quiz show saw one contestant set a new record for the lowest all-time score in Jeopardy! history.

    According to Yahoo!, Patrick Pearce, a product specialist from Fountain View, Calif., racked up losses before flubbing a question about U.S. government buildings overseas that pushed him into the Jeopardy! history books.

    Pearce’s -$7,400 total tops the previous record of -$6,800 set by Stephanie Hull during a 2015 appearance.

    But the milestone detracted from Burton’s first episode hosting the show he called his “dream job” back in 2013.

    Advertisement

    Story continues below

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    “There’s a little Patrick in all of us,” one watcher tweeted, while another took a dig at Pearce writing, “Lowest Jeopardy score ever should be his new Bumble bio.”

    Following longtime host Alex Trebek’s death last November, the show has cycled in a roster of guest hosts, including NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, record-setting former champion Ken Jennings, the show’s executive producer Mike Richards, journalist and author Katie Couric, Dr. Oz, NBC’s Savannah Guthrie and CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

    Burton was added to the list after more than 250,000 fans signed a petition urging producers to give him a chance to host.

    When the former Star Trek star took his place behind the lectern Monday night he paid tribute to the fans who lobbied on his behalf. “As a longtime viewer of the show, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to guest-host Jeopardy! And I’m proud to be here to honour Alex’s legacy, and I’m going to do my best to ensure that these talented Jeopardy! contestants enjoy their moment here as well.”

    Advertisement

    Story continues below

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

    In an interview with the Associated Press, Burton said he adjusted his approach after he received a lukewarm review from his wife following his debut.

    “I came backstage after taping the first episode and I said to Stephanie, ‘Well, how did I do?’ She said, ‘ehhh.’ Now, this is a woman who loves me enough to tell me the truth. She said it wasn’t me,” he said.

    So he adjusted over the next four tapings by just being himself.

    “You’re not going to be smooth as Alex, let go of that. But what you can bring to the table is you. So that became my point of focus. And when it did, I started having fun.”

    Producers have said they won’t announce a permanent replacement for Trebek until later this year, but at least one other guest host is up for taking over the gig for good.

    Advertisement

    Story continues below

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    “Hell yeah, I would,” Rodgers said in an interview with USA Today. “Look, it’s my second-brain job. I love the show and have a deep, deep affection for it. Not only is it a nostalgic connection to my childhood, but it’s a really special show to me, and I had a great time with everybody that works there.”

    But during an appearance on The View, Burton said he’s glad to be part of the conversation.

    “More than anything, I am eager to put my skills up against those of anyone else in contention and then let the chips fall where they may,” he said. “The important thing for me is I have an opportunity to compete for the job, and that’s all I ever really wanted.”

    mdaniell@postmedia.com

    Share this article in your social network Advertisement

    Story continues below

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! Comments

    Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notificationsâ€"you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

    0 Response to "Jeopardy contestant flops as LeVar Burton makes debut as guest host"

    Post a Comment

    Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)