LeVar Burton Selected To Replace Drew Barrymore As National Book Awards Host

deadline.com:

LeVar Burton, the longtime host of PBS’ Reading Rainbow and current host of the LeVar Burton Reads podcast, has been selected to host next month’s National Book Awards ceremony in New York City, replacing the previously named – and subsequently dropped – Drew Barrymore. “LeVar Burton has introduced multiple generations of young people to the joys of reading, and is a fearless advocate for book access, especially amidst the alarming rise in book banning across the country,” said David Steinberger, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Book Foundation, in a statement. “We are delighted to welcome LeVar back onto the National Book Awards stage, alongside special guest Oprah Winfrey, to champion the power of literature as the host this year’s Ceremony & Benefit Dinner.” The statement made no mention of Barrymore, who last month was dropped as host by the Foundation after news broke that Barrymore would resume her daytime talk show despite the then-ongoing Writers Guild strike. “Our commitment is to ensure that the focus of the Awards remains on celebrating writers and books,” the Foundation said at the time, “and we are grateful to Ms.

Barrymore and her team for their understanding in this situation.” The 74th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner is set for November 15 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. “I’m a big believer in the power of the written word,” Burton said in a statement, “and am proud to stand alongside the National Book Foundation to celebrate exceptional storytelling and the Foundation’s mission to make books accessible to everyone, everywhere.

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 and literature