Since the tragic passing of Alex Trebek, the longtime host of Jeopardy!, the TV quiz show has been looking for a full-time replacement to test our intelligence, with a former star of Star Trek as the betting favorite among potential candidates.
According to the latest betting odds from the best entertainment betting sites, LeVar Burton is now the +175 favorite in Jeopardy! host betting odds. Burton is famous for playing Geordi La Forge in the popular science-fiction show Star Trek: The Next Generation, while some readers might remember him from the popular children’s series “Reading Rainbow” on PBS.
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Burton recently moved to favorite status after Sportsbook at +200. Former Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings had originally opened as the fave to become next Jeopardy! host following Trebek’s passing but his odds have since dropped to +210.
The third option on the list is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who just enjoyed a brief stint as a fill-in host for the popular game show and said it was one of the best experiences of his life. The show producers must agree too because Rodgers has moved to third on the oddsboard at +400 to take over for Trebek.
Rodgers has also been in the headlines for other reasons. Most notably, reports are out that he wants out of Green Bay and could be on the move to another team while potentially simultaneously hosting Jeopardy!
Who’s Favored to Become Next Jeopardy! Host?
| Person | Odds |
|---|---|
| LeVar Burton | +175 |
| Ken Jennings | +210 |
| Aaron Rodgers | +400 |
| Mike Richards | +1000 |
| Alex Faust | +1200 |
| Laura Coates | +1200 |
| Mayim Bialik | +1400 |
| Anderson Cooper | +1500 |
| Sanjay Gupta | +2000 |
| Savannah Guthrie | +2000 |
| Bill Whitaker | +2200 |
| Dr. Oz | +10000 |
Odds as of April 30 at [Sportsbook not available for your region]
Why Is LeVar Burton Favored in Jeopardy! Host Betting Odds?
Let’s be upfront: It’s a tough act for anyone to follow the likes of Alex Trebek, who was so gracious, humorous and welcoming for thousands of contestants and millions of viewers of Jeopardy! But LeVar Burton might have been just as impactful to ’90s kids with his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Reading Rainbow, and he seems almost perfect for the role. A Change.org petition gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures pleading for Burton to be the successor to Trebek.
Burton would make an excellent choice since he helped inspire and shape the minds of so many. He recently had a guest-host stint with the popular game show and is listed at +175 to get the gig. But don’t count out former champion Ken Jennings for the role in odds to become next Jeopardy! host.
The well-known contestant has also had a guest stint as host and is considered the “Greatest of All Time champion” for Jeopardy! after winning a matchup with former champions James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter. Jennings opened as the favorite and his history on the show makes him a key candidate in the running, but there might be another candidate emerging from the gridiron.
Could Aaron Rodgers Take His Talents To Jeopardy!?
The drama surrounding Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is enough to start his own TV show, let alone host the most popular game show of all time. Rodgers recently joined Burton and Jennings as another guest host for the quiz show and executives with the program were apparently ecstatic with how well the Packers quarterback fit into the role.
As for the football drama, recent reports from Packer Land have Rodgers requesting a trade from Green Bay because he’s become frustrated with the direction of the franchise. Knowing he could still play quarterback while simultaneously hosting Jeopardy! is a bit of a feather in his cap for leverage against the Packers, who now likely have their backs up against the wall in deciding to keep Rodgers around long term. Due to his celebrity status, surprising humor and ability to do the job, you can’t “discount double-check” Rodgers at +400 in Jeopardy! host betting odds.
