Ava DuVernay Wants to Create a Show for LeVar Burton After His ‘Jeopardy!’ Heartbreak

Martin Holmes August 12, 2021, 9:46 am

LeVar Burton and Ava Duvernay — Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

While many fans are still disappointed that LeVar Burton won’t be the new host of Jeopardy!, award-winning director Ava DuVernay may be cooking up something even better.

The Selma director sent out a tweet on Wednesday indicating she wanted to find a way to work with the former Star Trek actor. “Me trying to create a show right in this moment for @levarburton to host and make an international hit,” she tweeted.

Check your DM’s!

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 11, 2021

Burton himself seemed excited by the prospect as he replied to the message telling DuVernay to “check her DMs.”

This isn’t the first time the two stars have interacted. In 2019, Burton, who earned an Emmy nomination in 1977 for playing Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries Roots, praised DuVernay for her work on the Netflix series When They See Us, which tells the story of the Central Park Five.

“I had to keep breathing,” he wrote. “Episode #1 nearly broke my heart, however I’ll keep watching. This is essential viewing for EVERY American! As essential to your understanding of America as was, ROOTS! Brava, @ava.”

I had to keep breathing. Episode #1 nearly broke my heart, however I’ll keep watching. This is essential viewing for EVERY American! As essential to your understanding of America as was, ROOTS! #bydhttmwfi
Bravo @ava @WhenTheySeeUs pic.twitter.com/jwNOjpq3Qb

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) June 2, 2019

DuVernay was overwhelmed by Burton’s message, responding, “Goodness, that last line got me. Coming from you. Thank you, Mr. Burton.”

Goodness, that last line got me. Coming from you. Thank you, Mr. Burton. 🙏🏾 https://t.co/XZztDlZgYu

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 2, 2019

Fans are also excited about the potential collaboration, especially after the Reading Rainbow host was denied the Jeopardy! gig. Burton had campaigned tirelessly to become the new host of the long-running CBS game show, with fans even creating a petition to land him the spot. However, despite getting to guest host for a week, a decision was made Wednesday for Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik to share hosting duties.

Surprise! 'Jeopardy!' Has 2 New Hosts: Mike Richards & Mayim Bialik

“I have said many times over these past weeks that no matter the outcome, I’ve won,” Burton tweeted last week. “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.”

I have said many times over these past weeks that no matter the outcome, I’ve won. 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. 🙏🏾

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 5, 2021

Check out some of the fan reaction to DuVernay’s tweet below, including some of their suggestions for show ideas.

Yesssss!! pic.twitter.com/XOAMmSU6Pv

— Holly Robinson Peete ⭐️💖 (@hollyrpeete) August 11, 2021

Bring back reading rainbow and stream it on Netflix. Or a stand alone origin series about Capt. Geordi La Forge in the Federation. BOOM!

— Chuey Martinez (@ChueyMartinez) August 11, 2021

Omg since we’re making it international let’s please do a trivia language show call “What’s That Mean?” where contestants compete from around the world. @levarburton flashes a word/phrase on the screen – Latin based or critical language- & they have to guess it’s definition.

— THEE Youtubian (@WhyAstinRocks) August 11, 2021

“Diaspora Stories” hosted by LeVar Burton, a series focusing on the immigrant experience and the people who identify with a homeland but live outside of it. An identity journey and educational journey on what makes all of us, us.

— Karthik C. Selvakumar (@vazhkai) August 11, 2021

ohhhh my god please do 😩
I re-watched Reading Rainbow with my sister and even at 27, I remember how wonderful he was 😭

what a treasure 🥺 pic.twitter.com/ASZuKrYjyP

— tay’laur (@taylaurambrene) August 11, 2021

This is fantastic @Ava I’m volunteering to assist in anyway possible. Random trivia, or lyrics knowledge if it’s a game show..ooh what about something like unsolved mysteries, or people wrongly incarcerated, Actual Stories, Actual people.. If he wanted to sit in a chair & read..

— 🕸🐘🕷️Meg🕷️🐘🕸 (@SikuMeg) August 11, 2021

Ahhhh… he’s a very talented individual. Perhaps you can create a show that documents the history of our ancestors who were inventors, & those that played a significant part. All to enlighten the agenda the government is trying to dismiss & deem insignificant. #AmericasSecrets

— GODSchild (@MrsGailPierre) August 11, 2021