Current:Home > NewsLeVar Burton to replace Drew Barrymore as host of National Book Awards-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
LeVar Burton to replace Drew Barrymore as host of National Book Awards
View Date:2024-12-23 14:11:42
Actor, podcaster, and reading advocate LeVar Burton will be the host of this year's National Book Awards ceremony.
In a statement Friday, Burton, who also hosted the ceremony in 2019, said, "It's an honor to return as host of the biggest night for books, especially in a moment when the freedom to read is at risk."
Drew Barrymore was originally slated to host the awards show – commonly referred to as the Academy Awards for literature. That offer was rescinded by the National Book Foundation after she announced she'd return to doing her talk show during the Writers Guild of America's strike. She eventually reversed that position after strike supporters picketed her show, but not before losing out on the hosting job.
"The National Book Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture," read the National Book Foundation statement announcing it was parting ways with Barrymore. "Our commitment is to ensure that the focus of the Awards remains on celebrating writers and books, and we are grateful to Ms. Barrymore and her team for their understanding in this situation."
Burton is known for his role as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next GEneration, as well as for his time hosting the PBS children's show Reading Rainbow. His breakout role was as Kunta Kinte in the 1977 television miniseries Roots, based on the 1976 novel written by Alex Haley.
He's also the host of the podcast "LeVar Burton Reads," where he reads short fiction by various authors.
The National Book Awards finalists were announced earlier this month. The winners will be revealed at the ceremony, scheduled for November 15.
veryGood! (88552)
Related
- Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue and Billy Porter to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- A new film explains how the smartphone market slipped through BlackBerry's hands
- NATO Moves to Tackle Military Greenhouse Gas Emissions Even While Girding Against Russia
- Why the Luster on Once-Vaunted ‘Smart Cities’ Is Fading
- Cold case arrest: Florida man being held in decades-old Massachusetts double murder
- Houston lesbian bar was denied insurance coverage for hosting drag shows, owner says
- With Epic Flooding in Eastern Kentucky, the State’s Governor Wants to Know ‘Why We Keep Getting Hit’
- If you haven't logged into your Google account in over 2 years, it will be deleted
- 'Gladiator 2' review: Yes, we are entertained again by outrageous sequel
- Don’t Miss the Chance To Get This $78 Lululemon Shirt for Only $29 and More Great Finds
Ranking
- Wheel of Fortune Contestant Goes Viral Over His Hilariously Wrong Answer
- CNN's town hall with Donald Trump takes on added stakes after verdict in Carroll case
- How businesses are using designated areas to help lactating mothers
- RHOC Star Gina Kirschenheiter’s CaraGala Skincare Line Is One You’ll Actually Use
- Prayers and cheeseburgers? Chiefs have unlikely fuel for inexplicable run
- Shop These American-Made Brands This 4th of July Weekend from KitchenAid to Glossier
- Texas’ Environmental Regulators Need to Get Tougher on Polluters, Group of Lawmakers Says
- In Portsmouth, a Superfund Site Pollutes a Creek, Threatens a Neighborhood and Defies a Quick Fix
Recommendation
-
In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
-
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $400 Satchel Bag for Just $89
-
To save money on groceries, try these tips before going to the store
-
New Faces on a Vital National Commission Could Help Speed a Clean Energy Transition
-
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to watch the fight, time, odds
-
Group agrees to buy Washington Commanders from Snyder family for record $6 billion
-
Ford reverses course and decides to keep AM radio on its vehicles
-
More shows and films are made in Mexico, where costs are low and unions are few