After Mike Richards was named the new host of Jeopardy, a spokesperson for LeVar Burton released an unusual statement announcing that her 64-year-old client has not entered negotiations with Sony Pictures Entertainment for a production deal. It seems someone had begun spreading a rumor that Sony, the company that produces Jeopardy, was trying to figure out a new role for Burton after he was passed over for the hosting job.
“There is no truth to this at all,” the spokesperson said. “None whatsoever. Everyone has been misled, unfortunately. Perhaps some minion chatter.”
Or perhaps it was wishful thinking that Sony realized the error of its ways? The fact that Richards got the hosting job came as a huge disappointment for fans, many of whom followed up last week’s announcement with calls to boycott Jeopardy or to find an even better gig for Burton. Among his biggest advocates was director Ava Duvernay who tweeted, “Me trying to create a show right in this moment for @levarburton to host and make an international hit.”
