LeVar Burton has had it with the Jeopardy! hosting conversation, and he's putting anyone who doubts him on notice.
Burton has been the Jeopardy! fandom's #1 choice for new host since the moment iconic host Alex Trebek passed away last year, especially for people who grew up with him as the host of the children's show Reading Rainbow back in the day.
But in the wake of Burton being passed over in favor of the scandal-plagued Mike Richards, whose tenure lasted just one day due to multiple allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination, Burton has made it clear he is done with the show.
And when Los Angeles Times journalist Stephen Battaglio tweeted he believed Burton would take the gig "in a heartbeat" if asked, Burton set him straight immediately.
See the tweet below.
@SteveBattaglio @HistorianWannab @Variety No Stephen, he wouldn’t!— LeVar Burton (@LeVar Burton) 1631926518.0
"…[T]hey say be careful of what you wish for, because what I found out is that it wasn't the thing that I wanted after all..."
"The opportunities that have come my way as a result of not getting that gig, I couldn't have dreamt it up."
After being called out for presuming to know Burton's feelings toward the show, Battaglio apologized to Burton.
But when he responded tersely to a fan of Burton's who pushed back further, Burton came back to put him in his place again.
@SteveBattaglio @BooksTrek @HistorianWannab @Variety @latimes No, Stephen… you don’t get a pass. You made erroneous… https://t.co/Dbl07d3gJK— LeVar Burton (@LeVar Burton) 1631934361.0
After telling him "No, Stephen... you don't get a pass," Burton went on to explain he'd prefer Battaglio keep his name out of his mouth.
"I have a perspective on this entire J! saga which I intend to share at a time of my choosing, probably my memoirs. As a journalist I hope you can appreciate that any and all speculation about my motives or intentions is simply uninformed."
Soon, the Burton-Battaglio back-and-forth was being screenshot and presented as a lesson for how not to conduct yourself on Twitter.
You never know when the person you're tweeting about is paying attention. https://t.co/Kp9O3SmQ9l— Staci D Kramer (@Staci D Kramer) 1631935421.0
And Burton put the whole thing to bed once and for all with a perfect one-sentence clapback.
Sometimes we f*ck around and find out. #bydhttmwfi https://t.co/eBE2HeKCwq— LeVar Burton (@LeVar Burton) 1631935669.0
Burton's handling of Battaglio had people on Twitter cheering.
@levarburton He might want to buy a vowel. Different game show, but proper sentiment. https://t.co/hhqW03OPhH— When There's a Will (@When There's a Will) 1631936242.0
My hero ❤️ https://t.co/c24ejVU3cL https://t.co/NZqa6Sf1nL— jstoobs (@jstoobs) 1631964086.0
@levarburton https://t.co/6M4EqvC6Bz— Cor-s Light (@Cor-s Light) 1631938654.0
@levarburton Lol, called it. Good for you man. https://t.co/nYC1Kx7uw0— Andrew Sill (@Andrew Sill) 1631935946.0
@levarburton Levar Burton saying “f*ck around and find out” still comes off as the most calming and pleasant thing. THAT is special 😆— Caleb B (@Caleb B) 1631936800.0
*pre pre orders Levar Burton's memoirs* 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/IGeeA1Hmkt— Get Vaxxed or Die Mad. (@Get Vaxxed or Die Mad.) 1631946875.0
Dude operated like he was dealing with "Toby" & got "Kunta" energy in return.⚡ I love it. https://t.co/QO2gfgjp5O— Nicole J. Butler aka "She-Shed Cheryl" 🏚🔥👩🏾🚒 (@Nicole J. Butler aka "She-Shed Cheryl" 🏚🔥👩🏾🚒) 1631988750.0
Y’all have made LeVar Burton actually say “sometimes we f*ck around and find out” All the man did was encourage u… https://t.co/7GpqzNl8Gt— Mychal (@Mychal) 1631985691.0
The producers of Jeopardy! have yet to find a new host for the show, which will be helmed by former champion Ken Jennings and Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik while they continue the search.