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    A very accurate prediction of LeVar Burton’s night hosting the National Book Awards.

    Jonny Diamond

    November 20, 2019, 12:06pm

    In honor of the great LeVar Burton—reader, actor, Renaissance man, and host of tonight’s 70th-Annual National Book Awards—here’s our GIF-based preview of how his night will probably go.

    *

    6:30pm
    Enters with entourage.

    via GIPHY

    6:35pm
    Inspects (and approves) the final seating arrangements.

    via GIPHY

    6:50pm
    Gives a rousing pep talk to Team Book.

    via GIPHY

    7pm
    Is introduced to his dining companions at the head table.

    via GIPHY

    7:05pm
    Takes the stage to a rousing chorus of adulation.

    via GIPHY

    7:15pm
    Takes us through the evening’s nominees.

    via GIPHY

    7:20pm
    Gets really serious for a moment about the real world.

    via GIPHY

    8:15pm
    Enjoying the frank ribaldry of Edmund White’s lifetime achievement award acceptance.

    via GIPHY

    9:20pm
    Making sure the show finishes on time.

    via GIPHY

    9:28pm
    Delivers his stirring closing words.

    via GIPHY

    10:35pm
    Hits the dance floor! (Please let this happen.)

    via GIPHY

    Midnight
    Heading out into the night to spread the gospel of books.

    via GIPHY

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