LeVar Burton has new gig post 'Jeopardy!' host debacle

Burton has been hired as the host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

"I want to normalize the pursuit of knowledge in this culture. That wouldn’t be a bad thing, would it?" Burton said. "Not just making stuff up and calling it a fact. Achievement through knowledge, scholarship, putting in the work to gain the reward."

Burton described the opportunity as one of many that have come his way since his unsuccessful public campaign to become the permanent host of "Jeopardy!" (He will also serve as grand marshal of the upcoming Rose Parade.) His bid to succeed the late Alex Trebek attracted plenty of goodwill online while the show's producers were roundly criticized for their decision to hire Mike Richards, who stepped down shortly thereafter when his past insensitive comments were revealed.