television icon levar burton joins us on panel tonight. i'm very excited. know what time it is. time to check in with america's efforts to de-negrofy the white house. that's right. let's see what's happening with the unblackening. big news today! >> donald trump has now clinched the republican nomination for president. 1,237 delegates are needed and mr. trump now has 1,238. >> larry: coincidentally, 12:38 is the time i'm going to hang myself after the show. ( laughter ) i'm not going to miss "@midnight." no, no. so here's the deal. so last summer, i made this stupid bet. i said that if trump became the republican nominee-- which was a ridiculous idea-- i would drink a bottle of trump vodka on the air. well... ( cheers ) that day has come! i am a mad man of my word. don't feel sad for me. this is my own fault. i brought this upon myself. i feel like i need to punish myself, kind of like that albino in "the da vinci code" right now-- self-flagellation. and since i'll never be able to get through a trump presidency sober, i guess i may as well start now, right

levar burton here. we'll be right back. music: "sex machine" by james brown ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ the goalie has studied every one of your shots. she knows you're going for her left corner. she even teases you, calling the shot. but her legs are the ones trembling, not yours. time to shine. orbit. kenneth, are they closing the stage this afternoon for auditions? what's on that piece of paper? oh, miss maroney... your forehead! it should not be doing anything. i just had botox! i know exactly what's happening-- happening. whoa! this is a bad streaming experience. it really shows a real fun... (announcer) don't let bad streaming ruin a good show. don't look at me! (announcer) only verizon has the largest, most reliable 4g lt network. can your network say that? switch now, buy a galaxy s7, and get one free. plus up to $650 back, only on america's best network. ...your starting lineup. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ( cheers and applause ) >> larry: thanks to my panelists, jordan carlos, holly walker, and levar burton. we're almost out of time, but before we go,

what actor levar burton wants you to do, if you remember him at all.n will jimmy kimmel live , stage a presidential debate? could this tweet be the ticket to talk with trump? fernando: do you hate remakes? so does levar burton, the actor many know from his role as geordi leforge in "star trek," and from his renowned performance as kunta kinte in the epic television mini-series, "roots." but the black lives matter movement and the impact of barack obama's presidency changed his mind. so burton turned from skeptic to producer with the hopes of starting another national conversation on race. nearly 100 million people watched the final episode of "roots" in its original airing. despite that success, levar burton says he and co-executive producer, mark wolper, were told early on that new audiences couldn't relate to the original series. levar: he tried to show it to his children and while they watched they found it dated and they said it was their dad's music. it didn't really speak to them. so mark recognized that if we wanted to share this story with a ne

at the center was kunta kinte played by levar burton. get his thoughts on why the time is right for a new "roots." levar burton, thank you for being here. >> it's a pleasure, joy. >> and congratulations on a really masterful remake of a classic. >> i am really proud of this. yeah. >> you know, in watching it, i was actually taking myself and transporting myself back to when i saw it first when i was a kid. and wondering, number one, why did you feel you had to remake it because the first one was so classic. why do you think it was important to remake it. >> initially i was not. when i heard about the remake, i was like this is not a good idea. but then i got a call from mark wahlberg and he told me his story and it changed my mind instantly. he said he had shown the original to his children and it was difficult to get them to sit still. they thought it was old, it felt dated. it didn't have relevance to them in their lives. they said, you know, dad, we get why it's important but it's kind of like your music, it doesn't speak to us, right

levar burton is one of the executive producers. >> here is a gold mine of information available to us now that was not available to us when alex was doing the original research. >> part of the reason that people retell the story over and over and over and over again, so that people don't forget what happened. >> it won nine emmys and one of the highest rated mini series in tv history. the history channel will air the updated four-part series starting tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. >>> mark minioff dumped in to david blaine today, wowing people with his tricks. >> you said eight of clubs? let me see, noity the eight of -- not the eight of clubs then, not the ace? i took the ace and flipped it out through the air and it landed under your wrist. great no way. >> a magician never tells his secrets so it's not clear how that card got there. what do you have up your sleeve? >> you will like this weekend and what we have in store the net seven days or so. we are pretty much cloud free, except along the coast, a bit of fog, and elsewhere, we are seeing clear conditions. this is how it looked ear

. >> pam: agassi and actor - educator - levar burton, from 'reading rainbow' and the star trek t-v show and movies. were both on hand. they were showcasing their foundations aimed at helping early education. >> pam:our gabe slate was there. and he shows us what is being developed. to help our kids better prepare for school. gabe slate tech report >> we are in classrooms it is about taking the children where they want to go. and being the sum of the best and brightest people in the world who is had been--who is actually thinking about this, how can we do this better? the reading rainbow is now an application creek. >> >> gabe: lee shows that almost 35 percent of students that enter kindergarten lacks the basic english language to know how to read. >> gabe: it hit the market in june and helps children learn how to read in a fun way. >> it to inspires and help learn decius and help children learn combined with fund. --this application and spires and help children learn combined with fun. >> pam:coming up: >> pam: what her accused killer is accused of saying. >> stanley: coming up!it helps

. >>> a remake of the epic 1970s mini series "roots" tonight coproduced by the original star levar burtonit hopes to bring the "roots" story to a new generation. >> you understand me, toby? >> reporter: one of the stars of the original and now co-executive producer says race is still a controversial topic nearly 40 years later. > that we haven't made more progress where racial tension in america is concerned. i'm really hoping with this retelling of the "roots" story we can once again revisit the conversation, but absent some of the guilt and shame that was associated with the conversation the first time around. >> reporter: this version of the mini series has an all-star cast as did the original with big names like forest whittaker, laurence fishburne, and anna paquin. >> i think all of the actors involved have come to this project with a real sense of import and responsibility to get it right and to do the original honor, to uphold that legacy and to move the story forward. >> reporter: newcomer malachi kirby is starring in the same role that made bu burton said it was initially intimid

this is actor levar burton.explained why the producer decided to remake his father's film. >> he said that he had shown it, the original to his children. and it was difficult to get them to sit still. they thought it was old. it felt dated. it didn't have relevance to them in their lives. they said, you know, dad, we get why it's important. but it's kind of like your music, it doesn't speak to us. >> do you think this remake is going to resonate with young viewers like it did with us? >> sure. they've got some young actors, the actors that would be more familiar to this young generation. it's also got quicker editing. it's just done in a very contemporary style that's very different from the version of 1977. i think also some of the young people today will have watched it in school or with their family over holidays, the original. and i think will be curious about the remake as well. >> this is airing on the history channel. it will be at least the first night simultaneously cast on a&e and lifetime. it's not li

including levar burton, author arianna huffington, as some people who really bring the world right into living room like john king and jorge raymo's . and sec chairman tom wheeler. moderator: can i have had a blast putting this together for you. we are deeply indebted to the members of the advisory board for helping us realize our vision. moderator: when pat and i started down this path, when we agreed to cochair, we wanted this to be fast-paced and electric. we wanted it to be fun, casual, relaxed, no ties, but there is a hanky. with the opportunity for all of us to compare notes and to get a glimpse into the future that we are all creating together. it is going to be an exciting week. moderator: we do hope that what you experienced this week is just how you'd hear described in boston. with afford to chatting with you in the next few days. moderator: have a great time and get some great food. i will meet you later at the food trucks. x here in boston, everybody. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the president and ceo of ncga michael powell. ♪ >> good morning. x 2016. t

levar burton was on hand to moderate the event. he played in the movie nearly 40 years ago.you watch it? >> i wasn't born yet. >> i was. big deal. >> huge deal. he was privileged to be a part of the tv series that, quote, started an important conversation in america. the president's top advisor, valerie garrett

joy" same time, same channel, we'll talk to levar burton of the new revival of the "roots" and next alexe looking for in a running mate. hillary-warren maybe. ♪jake reese, "day to feel alive"♪ ♪jake reese, "day to feel alive"♪ this is how it begins... with a mighty roar... that tells the world... we're coming for you. when your symptoms start... distracting you? doctors recommend taking ...non-drowsy claritin every day of your allergy season. claritin provides powerful, non-drowsy 24 hour relief... for fewer interruptions from the amazing things you do every day. live claritin clear. create your own seafood trios you can try something new with every bite. pick 3 of 9 all-new creations for $15.99. like baked lobster alfredo chimichurri shrimp and crab cakes bursting with crab meat. just hurry in before it ends. man, it's like pure power at your finger tips. like the power to earn allstate reward points, every time i drive. ...want my number? and cash back for driving safe. and the power to automatically find your car... i see you car! and i got the power to know who's coming and when if i