LeVar Burton on Why 'Reading Rainbow' Was Cancelled (Media Beat 2 of 3)

Actor LeVar Burton discusses his new Reading Rainbow app and explains why the passage of No Child Left Behind meant saying goodbye to the beloved children's show.

[TheTWOMEANGUNZ]

No child left behind was a joke. Reading Rainbow encouraged me to want to read. There is a special place in my life and heart for LeVar Burton. He truly was a teacher. Thank you LeVar.

[gregf]

One of the few men that literally influenced, changed and saved generations of children. Mr. Rogers and Lavar Burton are one of a kind and I am so glad I was able to see them growing up.

[MrNeumie]

LeVar is such a good person. He wants to better the world by increasing literacy and that is a noble goal

[kidkanYeBLAH]

Honestly, it CAN succeed as a Youtube series. There's LOADS of people on Youtube making money off of views, likes, subscriptions, whatever & I think that's the future of Reading Rainbow. The app is great, BUT I feel like it should still be some type of "show" still going on. It might not be on TV, BUT it could work since we're in 2014 and going forward. Also, ANYBODY can watch it. Parents who used to watch it can get a nostalgia boost and their children can learn by watch as well. So basically that "free factor" is still alive, they will get the money to continue as well. Hope someone from their sees this idea. I loved Reading Rainbow as a kid. :)

[TheFoodieCutie]

Listening to him, even though he looks different, brings a warmth to my heart. His voice always takes me back to as a kid.

[ookie]

literally. sacrificing our children.


lavar is speaking some real truth.

[Fawksthephoenix]

I miss this show so much. I remember watching it all the time when I was younger along with other great shows like: Mister Rogers, Arthur, Bear in the Big Blue House, and a ton of others. I absolutely love to read, and thinking back to this show, maybe that was part of the reason why. A mixture of great teachers, intelligent parents, and quality TV shows taught me from a young age that reading isn't boring or torturous, but it's honestly one of the best modes of entertainment and for hosting ideas. We need more shows like this back again. Happy shows that don't just have to do with constant education, but shows that focus upon creating a love for education. Maybe if we were taught that learning things was fun, there wouldn't be so many kids struggling to get by in school. On a completely different note, I'm going on a binge of old kids show I watched when I was younger and I'm feeling so nostalgic!

[cheapskateaquatics]

This man had such a massive impact on my childhood. Always loved watching his show and the impact it had on me. I can only hope that my kids will get to experience it just as I did. My hat is off to you Mr. LeVar Burton!

[BookJedi]

Reading Rainbow was one of the shows that got me to love reading, and I am lucky I am part of that generation that got the chance to experience it. It is sorely missed. 

[yunusquddusofficialactor]

Love Reading I do poetry and storytelling. Thank you Levar Burton

[LoveMyZJ]

I'm glad they are keeping Reading Rainbow alive. Reading isn't just about reading, it's about learning, understanding and using your imagination.

[kingjames]

I love Levar Burton and glad that he re-invented himself. I've followed him from Roots, Star Trek, Reading Rainbow and on and on. 

[marecca]

The best show ever! Levar taught me more than my mom did. I'm 32 that was the 90s now my kids watch it and love it 😍
Take a look.. it's in a book

[KelliM]

I used to LOVE this show. I feel old lol. It felt magical when you watched it and you became in tune with the program. It made it feel as if you were a character in the story.

[junglery]

Thank you Levar, reading rainbow is the reason why I love reading

[kme]

This guy was my hero when I was a kid, he was passionate about getting kids into reading and for that he was a good influence to the whole world. I am glad it is making a comeback this year!

[jodanielgutierrez]

"The shower's in the toilet!! That's amazing!" haha...I remember that episode! Man I miss that show. And they couldn't have picked a better person to host that show.

[rachelsaunders]

One more reason to hate no child Left behind. It sounds like a great idea, but instead of 'no child Left behind' he should have called it 'every child held back'. Seriously, in middle school and high school I struggled, not because I couldn't keep up, but because I was too far ahead of my peers, especially in literature and English. There was actually one semester that I failed my English class because I was too far ahead. How wrong is that? And it wasn't just there. I thank God that my parents were willing to fight for my reading privileges even as early as elementry school. Honestly, illiteracy is the worst disease in our society, and is even worse because in most cases is also the most easily cured. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that Reading Rainbow is coming back!

[twinxander]

I used to hate language and arts when I when in kindergarten but that's the reading rainbow it really helped me. Now I'm just disapointed because I can't watch it anymore it was amazing. I'm eleven now, it really changed my perspective of learning.

[RevengeOfTheEmpath]

I really really miss this show. They never should’ve taken this off air. I started reading by age 2, and I watched this show. It always fed my imagination and encouraged me to search for stories and grow. Just another way government disrupted something good for no good reason.