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REPORT: Levar Burton Never Really Serious Contender for ‘Jeopardy!’ Host

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: SonyPicturesTelevison

As many suspected, it seems that Levar Burton, never really had a chance to be the late Alex Trebek’s successor to host the syndicated version of Jeopardy!

In a report published by TMZ, their sources note that Burton’s “never been seriously considered for the role.”  Apparently, that could be true across the board with the other notables that got a try-out on TV.

Sony executives were into him as a guest host, but never as a permanent one, and that the only two ever really in contention were Mike Richards and Mayam Bialik.

As the saga goes thus far, Richards stepped down after being named the host when several previous offensive comments and lawsuits were dredged up, which now has Mike continuing on as the EP of the series, but also having to undergo ‘sensitivity training’ for his previous actions and remarks.

Bialik, got the nod as the primetime specials host of Jeopardy!

TMZ reports that Bialik was the choice also for the syndicated version, but her schedule would not allow her to do both, so they gave the job to Richards.

Now, Bialik is currently taping a three-week guest stint to kick-off the new season of the syndicated game show that will air in September.

Sources are saying that Burton, “Has has no hard feelings — he got his shot at guest hosting, which is what he really wanted, and he gave it his all.”

The good news for Levar is that several production companies have come calling about featuring him in other projects created specifically for him.

So, did you think Levar ever had a real chance to be the permanent host of syndicated Jeopardy!? Share your thoughts below.

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Well, Mike Richards will never be part of Star Trek, or even one of the most successful TV mini series of all time (Roots) so…. Geordi LaForge for the win!!

Satan…Yes! And as Geordie he did cross paths with Mayim on Big Bang Theory.

That is a shame because i thought Levar would be good.

Having watched all the guest hosts (Dr. Oz for only 5 minutes of one episode), LeVar (proper spelling) was just middle-of-the road with his hosting week. My expectations were high based on all the publicity, but in the end his wasn’t one of the standout performances.

Richards should step down from the EP role as his job is tainted going forward.

LeVar has always wanted to be a part of Jeopardy. I didn’t watch, but I’m hoping maybe he was just nervous because he had wanted the job for so long? Too bad Jeopardy won’t give him another chance to try-out. I like Mayim too. I like them both.

So after the brutal Mike Richards witchhunt the fans responsible for his obvi firing still wont get their wish….

Mike Richards is responsible for his own firing. The Jeopardy hosting job is one of the highest profile in television. As the first host after Alex Trebek died he set a very high standard. He was good but by choosing himself as the new host it tainted the audition process which fans were heavily invested in. And his failure to vet himself which was his job as the producer was fatal.

So, how is it a “witch-hunt” when everything that has come to light actually happened? No words or facts were twisted.

General Hospital

Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

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Antonio Sabato Jr.

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.

Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU  Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.

The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Jack Sabato

Photo: NBC

Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”

He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”

The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”

Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.

Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.

This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.

So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.

 

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‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis

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James Reynolds

Days of our Lives long-running cast member James Reynolds revealed on the November 10 edition of Entertainment Tonight that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and his character of Abe Carver will now be going through an on-screen Parkinson’s battle as well.

Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner, the 80-year-old actor and Daytime Emmy winner shared how he attempted to hide the warning signs dating back to 15-20 years ago when he would have, “What they call the hallucinations. My wife (Lissa) would say, ‘You were hitting me last night in bed,’ and I would say, ‘What?!’ I was having these really horrible dreams.” Reynolds also added that he realized falling out of bed was an early symptom of Parkinson’s too.

Discussing the on-going tremors that have become more noticeable over time especially in hands, James shared that when he finally told the Days of our Lives cast they were nothing but “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”

Photo: ET

SCREEN LIFE TO MIRROR REAL LIFE

Now with DAYS about to launch into Abe’s Parkinson’s storyline, Reynolds hopes that he can turn his experience into something positive by encouraging others facing the disease to keep fighting. During the sit-down, Reynolds co-star Jackée Harry (Paulina Price) recalls her reaction to learning of Reynolds’ real-life diagnosis and how she has continued to search for new treatments to inform James about.

Although Parkinson’s disease currently has no cure, there are medications and treatments can help those manage symptoms and improve quality of life. The condition progresses at a different pace from individual to individual.

As discussed in his conversation with ET, Reynolds cited Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda as two high-profile celebrities who have brought awareness to the disease.

Abe

Photo: JPI

In story on DAYS, Abe in recent weeks had been experiencing tremors which led to seek help and a diagnosis Dr. Kayla Johnson (Mary Beth Evans). Soon Abe and others will find out of his battle with Parkinson’s. Although on the promo for this week’s DAYS, Abe is seen telling Kayla, that he will do something, “when the time is right.”

James Reynolds is one of the most prolific performers, being the longest-running Black Actor in a role on a television series, not to mention his aforementioned Lead Actor Daytime Emmy win in 2018, and being inducted in 2025 into the Daytime Emmy Gold and Silver Society of honorees.

You can check out James’ in-depth conversation on his Parkinson’s diagnosis below.

Share your thoughts for James after learning of his health battle, and what do you think of Days of our Lives incorporating the disease into Abe Carver’s Salem storyline? Let us know in the comment section.

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Michael Easton Pays Homage to ‘One Life to Live’ Cast and Those From Llanview We Lost in Candid Photos

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Michael Easton

Michael Easton remains one of the soulful individuals we know. Not only is he an accomplished actor from his various roles on daytime soaps, primetime and films, but he is graphic novelist, a director, writer and a photographer.

In a surprise Instagram post on Tuesday, November 10, Easton took a trip back to Llanview and the beloved One Life to Live with a series of photographs that he himself took and showcased in a touching display.

It was on One Life to Live that Easton first portrayed John McBain, a role he played from 2003-2012, and then, he would play the role for another year after OLTL was canceled and he took the character over to General Hospital until 2013. With all the ABC/Prospect Park legal disputes going down at that time over who owned the rights to the characters, eventually Easton became Silas Clay on GH, and later Hamilton Finn.

One Life to Live stars

Photos: Michael Easton

Now, Easton is sharing some fantastic snaps he took 21-years ago when the OLTL cast recorded a benefit album to help those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The photos include: the late Phil Carey (ex-Asa Buchanan), Renee Elise Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline Williamson), plus the late Kamar de los Reyes, who was Easton’s best friend and the former Antonio Vega of Llanview.

In addition, there are images of six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (ex-Victoria Lord), Timothy D. Stickney (ex-RJ Gannon), Bree Williamson (ex-Jessica Buchanan), Tika Sumpter (ex-Layla Williamson), Robin Strasser (ex- Dorian Lord), the late Patricia Elliot (ex-Renee Buchanan), Melissa Archer (ex-Natalie Balsom) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr Manning), Kathy Brier (ex-Marcie Walsh), Ilene Kristen (ex-Roxy Balsom) and even Melissa Fumero (ex-Adriana Cramer), Trevor St. John (ex-Todd/Victor Lord Jr.), Robert S. Woods (ex-Bo Buchanan), Catherine Hickland (ex-Lindsay Rappaport), the late Nathaniel Marston (ex-Al Holden), Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair Cramer), and Eddie Alderson (ex-Matthew Buchanan).

Melissa Fumero Kamar de los Reyes

Photo: Michael Easton

In his post, Easton shared in full: “FOUND A MEMORY (part one) stored on an old Nikon camera. In 2005, the cast of One Life to Live recorded a benefit album with all the proceeds going to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Not being nearly as talented as my fellow actors (looking back what a badass cast it was) my contribution was to take photographs of their amazing faces.”

Michael continued, “In lieu of a proper photo studio, our friend Richie Hersch was kind enough to loan us his bar, Prohibition, on the upper west side for the afternoon to have an impromptu jam session. It was a beautiful time and I look back fondly on those moments, even when it takes finding a camera to awake the memory.”

With sorrow, Easton also shared, “It also brings up a little heartache as some of our friends are no longer with us and although they live in our hearts it’s nice to see them again and remember how perfect they were.”

This was followed by PART Two of FOUND A MEMORY with a carousel of images from Easton in a second post, which included: candid shots of Melissa Fumero, Dan Gauthier (ex-Kevin Buchanan) Paul Satterfield (ex-Dr. Spencer Truman) along with Trevor St. John, Nathaniel Marston, Kamar de los Reyes and many others.

Take a look at the One Life to Live cast images from Michael Easton below.

Then let us know, does it make you miss the beloved ABC soap opera even more? What did you think of Michael’s photos of the cast? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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A post shared by Michael Easton (@iammichaeleaston)

 

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