LeVar Burton - Growing Up Reading & His Dreams of Hosting “Jeopardy!” | The Daily Show
LeVar Burton recounts his early experiences reading with his mom that led to his love of books, shares the only book he didn’t finish and discusses his experience guest-hosting “Jeopardy!” #DailyShow #TrevorNoah #LevarBurton
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The part where he says he has gotten a chance to represent the black experience from slavery to the future is next level thinking. It's why the people love Lavar this brother is legit.
That line sent me! Celebrating the culture in one breath!
I want to float an idea past you two then. There is such a think as national poet laureate. I think Maya Angelou held it a while, then Richard Pincus. What about if we got Biden to appoint Levar Burton the first national Lector laureate, or Lector Emeritus?
Facts bro
💚
@@4knewt505 Absolutely
I wanna make it known that it’s not just the adults who grew up with reading rainbow who love Levar. I’m a teen that just discovered him through his podcast recently and I love it
You'd have loved Reading Rainbow as a child. He addresses children like they're all tiny geniuses. ❤️
Very cool!!! He's an excellent person to get familiar with. Not a wasted minute from him.
@@katharinehansen5940 Looking back with the gift of hindsight, that's why I loved it so much as a kid. It's a show clearly designed for young children learning how to read and discovering books for the first time but doesn't talk down to them. He respected the intelligence of the audience of kids watching the show.
Give me his podcast, NOW! ❤️
It’s a wonderful podcast!!!
Everything in the way LeVar Burton communicates creates such a remarkable warmth.
LeVar Burton's laugh is a gift to humanity....
This is a fact.
SOO true!! ❤!!!
Both of their laughs are full of life.
How did I not realize how hungry I was to witness a deliberately intelligent, warm and literate exchange between two grown men?!?! This conversation was magic and food for my soul! THANK YOU
Right on!
*SIGNAL BOOST!!!!!!*
Fr anyone with a soul has to love this dude
"What a life you've lived." "I know, right?" Is the kind of full existence to which we all can aspire. I love it!
I remember as a kid I could not comprehend how Laforge was on another show without his visor :-)
When I was working, I thought that, when I retired, I would teach American adults how to read. Illiteracy is just as common today as it was 40 years ago. Now I am retired; my body’s broken but my mind is intact. LeVar Burton has inspired me to revisit my thoughts of that personal mission. I may end up reading aloud to children at the library, and that would be okay, too.
"Thats the shipwreck that leads you to the island," "The island is where you meant to be all along," this is why watching these clips is worthwhile. It's learning and applying phrases like this to your everyday life
He's aged so well, you know what they say. He's 64, he's 25 years older but looks better than me.
He have aged really well. I can listen to him talk all day.
Has LeVar Burton received his Kennedy Center honors yet? He's overdue....
💯 he should
Way Overdue!!! And I have nominated him for the award three separate years. Please go to the KCH website and nominate Mr. Burton.
FOR. REAL.
PLEASE
@@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460 Wait, we can do that?
The compliments LeVar gave Trevor at the end made me so happy!!!
I think this is a person's greatest achievement!! being lauded for doing what they enjoy doing!!
The shipwreck and magic island analogy literally brought me to tears because I am the type of person that does focus on the shipwreck
I needed that reminder also. Right here .. right now.
there's always a silver lining. Every question has an answer, Buddha said
as a lifelong jeopardy and levar fan it's been really disappointing to see how they've handled the host situation. however, i'm soooo excited to see what new and wonderful things levar has waiting for the world!
Yes I am too! Especially since Levar played the young Kunte Kinta ( please pardon me Alex Hailey if I misspelled your ancestor's birth name. Having married a young foreign student with the last name KUTTAINEH ( pronounced Koo- tain - ee..the "h" is silent) I look forward to Mr. Burton hosting Jeopardy. It will certainly display his talents & besides, it really is time to kinda retire his Jordy character from Star Trek, The Next Generation.Even Lavar Burton noted long ago in an interview that a " blind African American navigator on a inter planetary Star Ship who basically wore a ait filter visor to see with"...well Really? That's one small step for man* but it did not make sense... Like Mark Walberg's character in that movie The Happening , when he apologizes to a plastic ficus tree in a doctor's office waiting room. Sorry about that, hmm@ Dusk till Dawn. Take care you all.'
I remember when the guests hosts were first announced and someone suggested LeVar Burton, literally everyone thought it made perfect sense. Took them ages to take the suggestion and even after the whole Mike Richards debacle, I think everybody is still onboard with LeVar Burton or Ken Jennings as permanent host. Sounds like he's assuming he's out of the running now? Anybody know what's going on?
He was objectively terrible at jeopardy hosting
Stop it, he was horrible as a guest host. He made so many serious mistakes and fumbled his way through the entire week. That and his begging for the job. I know people have fond memories of Reading Rainbow, but that seems to blind them to just how bad he was .
@@thenostalgiabusiness First, anyone who doesn’t know what literally means, but can’t stop using it incorrectly probably isn’t qualified to have an opinion about Jeopardy. Second, he was horrible as a guest host. He made many mistakes and clearly wasn’t up to the job despite his begging for it. I get it, he read books to all of you when you were children, but let it go, literally.
Levar Burton has been a part of the biggest sources of joy in my life: Star Trek and reading. There will never be another figure that looms so large and has shaped my life in so many ways. I am reminded during every interview, every project he does, that he is THE most valuable cultural figure of my lifetime.
I love Levar so much. As a retired teacher, I can not even tell you how many young lives he has influenced! How many readers he has made!!
I'm the mom of a Reading Rainbow kid. I remember sitting and watching Reading Rainbow and Zoobilee Zoo on our PBS station with her! Such lovely memories, and like so many of LeVar's kids, she grew up to be an avid reader. I may have also helped a little with all the other reading we did together. 😅
Two delightful people. Love their positive energy!
Seriously! Be smart and interesting, too. Only thing wrong with this interview was that it was much too short.
Levar Burton is something beyond a national hero or treasure. He's showing us the way.
My Heart just exploded because Trevor Noah, one of my favorite TV personalities is talking to Levar Burton my favorite storyteller and actor 💕💕
Look at that A facinating person interviewing a facinating person...... Love both of you guys!!!!
Okay, a few things: 1. That beard with the point looks awesome. I've never seen that style before and I am living for it. 2. I'm so glad LeVar Burton is releasing another project. I feel Troy in Community right now. 3. I thought LeVar's cadence on Reading Rainbow was put on bc he was hosting a kid's show. Seeing this interview, it is clear that he always speaks like he's teaching a class, and I love it. TLDR-- LeVar Burton is currently doing everything 🔥🔥🔥
he's a national treasure! give him jeopardy already
I agree. Is there a petition out there for what you've suggested. I would sign it without reservation.
@@fodosdanso7991 yes www.change.org/p/sony-pictures-entertainment-levar-burton-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy
I need a way to push LIKE more than once!!!
He was horrible as a guest host. Is he supposed to get the job because he read books to all of you and embarrassingly begged for it ?
This was an excellent interview. I like when he said something like that the adults of today who grew up on Reading Rainbow would would support whatever he did, and he's not wrong. Reading Rainbow has such a spot in my heart. I loved reading as a kid and that show was a favorite. Glad to see LeVar keep pushing forward and being awesome.
Reading Rainbow and Wishbone were my jam as a child so this brought back such happy memories!
Ty so much for mentioning Wishbone , because I thought I forgot about it, once I read your comment all these beautiful memories came flooding back of me and family watching their episodes almost everyday. I hope you have a wonderful day and thank you! ☺️
Take a look, it's in a book....Reading Rainbow.
I still have a stuffed Wishbone. I had 4 of them and one that talked.
He needs to make a kid's game show around books. I would love to see something like that. I'm thinking like Carmen Sandiego but more around kids contemporary and classical literature.
Where in the world is she? Sing it Rockapella!
I can't wait to see what Mr. Burton comes up with. I am of the Reading Rainbow generation and just seeing him makes me smile. I'm so happy to hear all of these new and great doors have opened up for him.
This is perfect.
Just the best!!!! I loved him, ever since Reading Rainbow. He made reading cool for me. I was a PBS kid. Wishbone, Zoom, Bill Nye and Reading Rainbow.
We’re gonna zoom, zoom, zoom, a, zoom.
“We focus on the shipwreck, we don’t think about the island that it got us to.” ‘The island is where you were meant to be all along.’
Reading Rainbow was the first place I heard about slavery and the Underground Railroad. It did a great job of communicating the facts to a kid younger than 10 years old.
Reading Rainbow (and my mom) really got me into reading as a kid! Thank you LeVar!!!
LeVar looks Amazing!! Such a Beautiful Soul & an Amazing Career!! Looking forward to his next endeavors! ❤️🙏🏾👑
Yep, yep yep. Our world is so much better because of these two men. These two bright, engaging, powerful, generous thinkers...these two men. We are blessed.
I was initially excited when I saw Levar hosting jeopardy, because I like him so much and I have so much respect for him. But after watching one episode I didnt really like it because it seemed like it forced him too much into the role of a 'slick game show host' and didnt allow him to express his wonderful Levar Burton self very much, which was sad. So I'm happy to see him creating more personal projects that he can put his passion into. Thanks for the great interview.
“But you don’t have to take my word for it”
Tbh, I wasn't going to start watching Jeopardy - I just wanted the man celebrated.
Way off topic but leVar has a beautiful face...one that makes you feel calm and relaxed 😌
So glad LeVar and Trevor do what they do
This might just be my favorite, most loved interview of all time. I love LeVar and have always loved what he stands for! Thank you, Trevor!
Who could forget “Reading Rainbow”!?! Miss that show so much!
Huge lesson in here kids... You set goals and dreams, and if some of them don't go your way, don't get down. Take what you get, say yes, and keep moving forward. A journey isn't always defined by a complete itinerary, and that is just fine.
He is so amazing! What a wonderful human being. We are so lucky to have him in our lives.
Always a treasure listening to LeVar Burton use profanity
I also enjoyed hearing him admit to cheating his way through a book report
I was in my mid-20s when Reading Rainbow was on TV & I watched it as often as possible. "There Is No Frigate Like A Book" by Emily Dickinson.
Love you LeVar!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🌻🌻🌻🌻. Blessings to you and your family 🙏🙏🙏
LeVar looks so healthy and happy!
I applauded a video. Yup, I did that. "The shipwreck that leads you to the magical island" So inspiring. ❤️
He’s such a handsome man! Black men just get better with age 👌🏾
They most certainly do👏🏾.
I don't know what's worse: the racist comment or the fact that over 70 people agreed with it. Pretty sad.
mrsj1417 Not racist, white people rarely age well without botox or plastic surgery. Possibly because we keep toasting ourselves in the sun or tanning beds so we'll turn brown. Ironic, huh?
@@mrsj1417 the jealousy is overwhelmingly rancid in you and those who comment like you. anything black, triggers people like. the name alone seems to set you all off. Get over IT
This was such a treasure of an interview. Two heroes from two different generations.
Lavar Burton and Mr Rogers are the top two humans in my head.
I need a love button for this video. Two great authors, storytellers and all around great people!
Reading rainbow was lit
I see what you did there...
😱 LaVar Burton we love you!!! Thank you Daily Show for bringing him on to catch us up. I really hope he is successful in making a “Reading Game Show”! I think society is in desperate need of inspiring stories that bring us all a little closer together. We need you LaVar!!!
Just as Lavar's mother is the one who got him into reading, he and Reading Rainbow are the reason I am an avid reader of any book, genre, or series I can get my hands on. Lavar Burton is the reason I read the Little Critter series, the best book ever Where the Wild Things Are, and so many other books. I wish he would be the host of Jeopardy and I hope he changes his mind if they offer him the choice again. Such a wonderful human being.
Thanks, Trevor! Thanks, Levar! 🤩 I've adored Mr. Burton as a performer since 1977 and as a human being since 1983. He is awesome and does such excellent work... improving everything he touches. 💜
I haven't been so excited about a Buddy duo since season one of True Detective. MORE TREVOR AND LEVAR, PLEASE?!
Two folks who have had an impact on me!
I'm French I discovered him thanks to Troy and Community 😁😁 and it just hit me right now that I've grown up watching him as kunta kinte !
LeVar is a treasure and he’s made a deal with the Devil because he doesn’t age, or he’s immortal.
He should host a new show that’s like Jeopardy, focusing on science and technology. I want to host Rock n Roll Jeopardy!
Every single time I hear him speak I listen as if I'm still that little kid watching reading rainbow and he's there telling me an incredible story. Thank Me. Burton for inspiring so many of us
Oedipus in Disneyland is Lavar's all-time favorite book. You should read it too.
Reading Rainbow was a lovely, important show. So thanks for that. That being said, My favorite Jeopardy hosts: Savannah Guthrie, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Anderson Cooper.
LeVar Burton transcends acting. He is the embodiment of hope, dreams, inspiration, and achievement for so many of us that watched and enjoyed him through the years. “Don't focus on the shipwreck, focus on the island 🏝.” On my vision board right now…
thanks TDS and Trevor! FYI LeVar and Tig Nataro did an episode of her podcast "don't ask tig" together. It's amazing if you like either of them.
Love Levar and Jeopardy
A couple of awesome people who have & will continue to inspire so many 💕💕
I love my kickstarter reading rainbow coffee mug. Can’t wait to support his next venture.
*googles Reading Rainbow mug...*add to cart*
This man is a gift to the world.
His fine self is the reason I was hooked to the TV every week. I already knew how to read, but I sure did watch this show.
I have watched LeVar from Roots to Jeopardy. My best memory is in 1993 is my 4 year old saying "hi LeVar" after his greeting during Reading Rainbow. Jeopardy's loss is our gain.
Levar is such a great actor. Encourage people to be story tellers so true. Such a nice man. My mom taught me to enjoy reading too! My dad read me to sleep. I hope to be able to read again soon.
Lovely new set - the greenery against the backdrop of redwood planks to the geometric shelving - beautiful. The subdued lighting is a nice touch. Kudos to the designer.
LeVar Burton is my #1 childhood hero.
Met him once! His presona is so gracious and warm. He is a legend that is unsung.
One of my many cherished memories from childhood was growing up watching reading rainbow. I must have been somewhere between 4-8 years old when it was airing on PBS, and I'm 35 now. Loved that show. Love Levar Burton!
Thank you for everything you've given us all you beautiful and great and wonderful man. ❤️
Love you, Mr. Burton!
Levar is our Aesop. He has taught us who and how to be. I owe him a debt of spirit that can never be paid.
Am liking the new set, the camera work, his costume, everything is so soothing
Until the Mike Richards controversy, I was a Jeopardy fan. Now if LeVar hosts a show during the same time slot, it'll be, "Buh-bye, Jeopardy!" He is so handsome and so genuine!
I love this man, I was a reading rainbow kid in the early 80's. I'm so glad he was and still is apart of my life. He is stunning to look at and listen too🥰
Levar Burton makes me feel young. He's 64 yrs old, same as me, and all that white hair looks as if he had just dyed it in preparation to play a much older person. It's like his face and his white beard don't go together. I guess like most ppl I always associate him with his character in ROOTS which I saw way back then growing up in Puerto Rico and so I guess that's why I still see him as a younger person than he really is.
So happy for the opportunities that opened up for you! Levar your compliment to Trevor is so True.
"Butterfly in the skyyyyy, I can go twice as hiiiiiigh.. take a look, it's in a book, The Reading Rainbowwww!!" Never ever forgetting that song!
Levar is the Man!
This guy is a gift to the human race.
Dude, someday, there needs to be a movie or a show with LeVar, and Trevor. I don't care what it is I'm going to be there for it!! Please take my money and make it happen!!
3:00 There's a gift in everything, there's a gift in every book. All of a sudden I want to see LeVar talk about books with Steve from Blue's Clues.
This format is perfect. I'm also a Levar fan from childhood to now so I may be biased, but these two people are my favorite public figures today. Thank you.
he's a national treasure. he represents the absolute best of humanity
Its funny because I love levar and wholly support him. But I got reminded of him because of his daughter Mica being on critical roll. This just brings me joy all around
Wait…are you serious?! I need to see this!
@@KBWeeds her and Matt host critter hug, also she played an asamir in an episode in campaign 2, and 2 or so narrative telephone. The funniest one is where she's talking and in the background is all of her dad and moms academy awards and emmies like 14 of them. Travis and Matt both got sidetracked by that one lol. She's just as kind caring and loving as both her parents and this generation is going to be safe with another Burton in their lives.
WOW, LEVAR - hearing how you summarized your acting career, and what's represented in it makes me realize how significant your art has been to my generation! Thank you!!
Lavar Burton! I love him! I admire his work, especially Reading Rainbow. The Best.
Levar Burton needs to be the permanent host of Jeopardy! DO NOT GIVE UP! READING RAINBOW WAS EVERYTHING TO YOUNG URBAN KIDS IN THE 80s! I’M A CLOUD COMPUTING SCIENTIST BECAUSE OF THE 🐐!
Man this is great!!! What a fantastic interview. Thanks.
I was so deeply, deeply saddened when Lavar was not chosen as the host of jeopardy. But after listening to this interview with these two men that I respect for their work and contribution to not just the African American society but to everyone that has had the pleasure of experiencing their trades. I fully understand why my admiration has only increased what a magnificent outlook on life and it’s sometimes disappointments. Hats off to two unmistakable assets to society.
Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood helped this latch key kid learn how to be empathetic, curious and to have a sense of community. Thank you!
I love you, LB.
Trevor I consider a friend.