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Noooo :( Reading Rainbow Cancelled!

Aug 28, 2009#1

Lally

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112312561

Even if you can't remember a specific Reading Rainbow episode, chances are, the theme song is still lodged somewhere in your head:

Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high,
Take a look, it's in a book — Reading Rainbow ...

Remember now?

Reading Rainbow comes to the end of its 26-year run on Friday; it has won more than two-dozen Emmys, and is the third longest-running children's show in PBS history — outlasted only by Sesame Street and Mister Rogers.

The show, which started in 1983, was hosted by actor LeVar Burton. (If you don't know Burton from Reading Rainbow, he's also famous for his role as Kunta Kinte in Roots, or as the chrome-visored Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation.)

Each episode of Reading Rainbow had the same basic elements: There was a featured children's book that inspired an adventure with Burton. Then, at the end of every show, kids gave their own book reviews, always prefaced by Burton's trademark line: \"But you don't have to take my word for it ...\"

\"The series resonates with so many people,\" says John Grant, who is in charge of content at WNED Buffalo, Reading Rainbow's home station.

\"I think reading is part of the birthright of the human being,\" Burton said in a 2003 interview. \"It's just such an integral part of the human experience — that connection with the written word.\"

\"I think reading is part of the birthright of the human being,\" Burton said in a 2003 interview. \"It's just such an integral part of the human experience — that connection with the written word.\"

The show's run is ending, Grant explains, because no one — not the station, not PBS, not the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — will put up the several hundred thousand dollars needed to renew the show's broadcast rights.

Grant says the funding crunch is partially to blame, but the decision to end Reading Rainbow can also be traced to a shift in the philosophy of educational television programming. The change started with the Department of Education under the Bush administration, he explains, which wanted to see a much heavier focus on the basic tools of reading — like phonics and spelling.

Grant says that PBS, CPB and the Department of Education put significant funding toward programming that would teach kids how to read — but that's not what Reading Rainbow was trying to do.

\"Reading Rainbow taught kids why to read,\" Grant says. \"You know, the love of reading — [the show] encouraged kids to pick up a book and to read.\"

Linda Simensky, vice president for children's programming at PBS, says that when Reading Rainbow was developed in the early 1980s, it was an era when the question was: \"How do we get kids to read books?\"

Since then, she explains, research has shown that teaching the mechanics of reading should be the network's priority.

\"We've been able to identify the earliest steps that we need to take,\" Simensky says. \"Now we know what we need to do first. Even just from five years ago, I think we all know so much more about how to use television to teach.\"

Research has directed programming toward phonics and reading fundamentals as the front line of the literacy fight. Reading Rainbow occupied a more luxurious space — the show operated on the assumption that kids already had basic reading skills and instead focused on fostering a love of books.

Simensky calls Reading Rainbow's 26-year run miraculous — and says that its end is bittersweet.

Reading Rainbow's impending absence leaves many open questions about today's literacy challenges, and what television's role should be in addressing them.

\"But\" — as Burton would have told his young readers — \"you don't have to take my word for it.\"

What a travesty. They teach kids how to read, but not why to read. How sad.

Aug 28, 2009#2

phil

I assumed this had happened 10 years ago.

Aug 28, 2009#3

AshburnerX

Yeah, I didn't know it was still running ether. Still, I remember watching the show and loving it. It definitely helped me want to read... though ultimately, I know that the reason I learned to read as a kid was to understand what was going on in my games and to get the information I needed to beat them out of Nintendo Power.

Aug 28, 2009#4

elph

What I don't get (well, not exactly) is if it's only maybe a million to get the show it's broadcasting rights, why doesn't Burton put it up himself? If I were the center in such a fundamental project for so long, I'd do whatever it took to keep it going (assuming I have the drive for it myself - but Burton has always seemed pleased with the show's purpose).

Aug 28, 2009#5

Andromache

there will always be reruns?

Aug 28, 2009#6

Shegokigo

Butteryfly in the sky.....

Was Lavar Burton still hosting? I'm in the "wow it was still going?" crowd.

Aug 28, 2009#7

Lally

I agree, I found that kind of strange myself. NO ONE is willing to donate what they say is a few hundred thousand? Maybe publicizing the cancellation will get someone to step forward.

Aug 28, 2009#8

Covar

I didn't realize that LeVar Burton stuck with it the whole time. That's impressive.

I remember watching it when I was young, who didn't?

Now I want to head off to the library.

Aug 28, 2009#9

Alucard

That's a bummer I remember as a kid sitting down to watching that on tv

Aug 28, 2009#10

figmentPez

elph said:
What I don't get (well, not exactly) is if it's only maybe a million to get the show it's broadcasting rights, why doesn't Burton put it up himself? If I were the center in such a fundamental project for so long, I'd do whatever it took to keep it going (assuming I have the drive for it myself - but Burton has always seemed pleased with the show's purpose).

LeVar Burton has over 1 million followers on Twitter. Just get each of them to pony up a buck and boom! you've got another season.

Aug 28, 2009#11

Shegokigo

Aug 28, 2009#12

Hylian

I used to watch this show all the time when I was little

Aug 28, 2009#13

Shannow

Mother fucker.

Aug 28, 2009#14

elph

figmentPez said:
LeVar Burton has over 1 million followers on Twitter. Just get each of them to pony up a buck and boom! you've got another season.

Pretty much this. I started thinking of others that I can't imagine not being willing to assist. Patrick Stewart and most of the TNG cast and maybe even Oprah. In the larger scheme of things, it just seems like chump change considering the resources of those involved or connected.

Aug 28, 2009#15

Cuyval Dar

Why does anyone here care that much?

Aug 28, 2009#16

Shannow

Cuyval Dar said:
Why does anyone here care that much?

A show we grew up with, and liked as kids? So, nostalgia. Some here may have kids they would have liked to watch it with? I know jsut a couple years ago I would sit and watch it with my then 5/6 year old nephew when he was over.

---------- Post added at 03:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------

elph said:
Pretty much this. I started thinking of others that I can't imagine not being willing to assist. Patrick Stewart and most of the TNG cast and maybe even Oprah. In the larger scheme of things, it just seems like chump change considering the resources of those involved or connected.

Grant says the funding crunch is partially to blame, but the decision to end Reading Rainbow can also be traced to a shift in the philosophy of educational television programming. The change started with the Department of Education under the Bush administration, he explains, which wanted to see a much heavier focus on the basic tools of reading — like phonics and spelling.

Money isnt the only issue

Aug 28, 2009#17

Lally

Cuyval Dar said:
Why does anyone here care that much?

Because it's sad that no one cares enough to renew it, and that the education system has basically given up trying to foster a love of reading in children?

And also what Shannow said.

Aug 28, 2009#18

figmentPez

Cuyval Dar said:
Why does anyone here care that much?

Because reading books is an important part of our culture that is perpetually at risk of declining and loosing much of its beneficial impact?

Aug 28, 2009#19

doomdragon6

Yeah, I'd kind of assumed this show had ended many, many years ago.

Aug 28, 2009#20

Cuyval Dar

Cuyval Dar said:
Why does anyone here care that much?

Lally said:
Because it's sad that no one cares enough to renew it, and that the education system has basically given up trying to foster a love of reading in children?

And also what Shannow said.

figmentPez said:
Because reading books is an important part of our culture that is perpetually at risk of declining and loosing much of its beneficial impact?

Ok, maybe I'm not the person who should talk about the rapid illiteracy rate, beings how I taught myself to read at 3 or 4.

I would say that the education system has given up on everything but protecting their own.

Aug 28, 2009#21

figmentPez

Cuyval Dar said:
Ok, maybe I'm not the person who should talk about the rapid illiteracy rate, beings how I taught myself to read at 3 or 4.

It's not simply about being able to read, it's about loving to read and valuing books. As much as I love forums and IM and blogs and all sorts of other online communication, almost all of it doesn't have the same impact that a well written book (both fiction and non-fiction) can have.

What we do, what see, what we read, what we listen to, everything that goes in and out of our heads changes the way we think, in small and large ways. Books are a very important part of developing critical thought, and I think that many people overlook that. Having the ability to read isn't enough. To get the intellectual benefit a person must read, and do so regularly, preferably with enthusiasm.

Oh, and I was reading by about age 2, when my older sister was starting kindergarten. So I was already a reader by the time of my earliest memories. Reading Rainbow didn't teach me to read, but it did show me what reading could do.

Aug 28, 2009#22

Shegokigo

This is easy to explain, Cuyval Dar never saw the series, therefore he can't understand why we're upset to see it go.

Aug 28, 2009#23

Shannow

Listen guys, he is trolling, And pretty well too. Let it go.

Aug 28, 2009#24

AshburnerX

figmentPez said:
Because reading books is an important part of our culture that is perpetually at risk of declining and loosing much of its beneficial impact?

This. It's frustrating that most of the population doesn't have any sort of backing in literature outside of what they were forced to read in school, which is quickly forgotten.

Aug 28, 2009#25

Cuyval Dar

Shegokigo said:
This is easy to explain, Cuyval Dar never saw the series, therefore he can't understand why we're upset to see it go.

No,I watched it, I guess that I never developed an attachment to it like the rest of you.
The Next Generation, MacGyver and the like on the other hand...
:whistling:

Aug 28, 2009#26

Shegokigo

It's a matter of teaching the younger generations that reading is interesting. Especially for some that may not have positive reinforcement to read in their day to day lives.

Aug 28, 2009#27

Cuyval Dar

AshburnerX said:
This. It's frustrating that most of the population doesn't have any sort of backing in literature outside of what they were forced to read in school, which is quickly forgotten.

Nah, teachers almost shat themselves when I told them what I read for fun and how often.
Granted, most normal children don't try to develop their peripheral vision so they can read whilst walking around, or more importantly, start reading Tolstoy,Verne and Doyle as a youngster.

Aug 28, 2009#28

Shannow

Cuyval Dar said:
Nah, teachers almost shat themselves when I told them what I read for fun and how often.
Granted, most normal children don't try to develop their peripheral vision so they can read whilst walking around, or more importantly, start reading Tolstoy,Verne and Doyle as a youngster.

Damn it, where the hell is that jack off smiley. Fits here perfectly

Aug 28, 2009#29

Cuyval Dar

Shannow said:
Damn it, where the hell is that jack off smiley. Fits here perfectly

Aug 28, 2009#30

Baerdog

Shannow said:
Damn it, where the hell is that jack off smiley. Fits here perfectly

Man, it's a real bummer to hear that Reading Rainbow is finally biting the dust. I watched that show religiously when I was growing up and I can honestly say that I would not have learned to enjoy reading as much as I do without it.

Aug 28, 2009#31

Cuyval Dar

Baerdog7 said:
Man, it's a real bummer to hear that Reading Rainbow is finally biting the dust. I watched that show religiously when I was growing up and I can honestly say that I would not have learned to enjoy reading as much as I do without it.

Ninja'd

Aug 28, 2009#32

Baerdog

Yeah, oh well.

Aug 28, 2009#33

lafftaff

I was suprised to that Reading Rainbow was still on air. I don't remember ever seeing it, & I watch an unnecessarily large amount of PBS children shows. It's sad that there's no support for itanymore. I really enjoyed this show as a child & a love for reading is just as important as learning to read.

I'm more disappointed though that they stopped running Mr. Rogers Neighborhood reruns though.

Aug 28, 2009#34

Bubble181

Never heard of it or seen it, but it sounds slike the type of show I'd have liked. Sorry to see it go.

Aug 28, 2009#35

drawn_inward

I used to watch it quite a bit. So much so, that Burton will always be that guy from RR not TNG. I want Leforge to say, "but don't take me word for it..."

That show introduced to me a bunch of new books that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise. I wanted to be one of those kids on the show.

Aug 28, 2009#36

ZenMonkey

CD, congrats on reading Dante's Inferno in the original Italian while you were breast-feeding and all, but take your head out of your ass and realize that you were not the target audience for the show.

Neither was I as I was 10 when it started and preferred reading to TV in the first place. So I don't have any personal nostalgia attached to it. But as a teacher and especially as one of partly or entirely illiterate college students, I have a lot of admiration for Reading Rainbow.

Aug 28, 2009#37

Hailey Knight

ZenMonkey said:
CD, congrats on reading Dante's Inferno in the original Italian while you were breast-feeding and all

Gods, that is wonderful wording.

I wish I had that phrase when I was back in college.

Aug 28, 2009#38

Shegokigo

ZenMonkey said:
CD, congrats on reading Dante's Inferno in the original Italian while you were breast-feeding and all, but take your head out of your ass and realize that you were not the target audience for the show.

:clap:

Aug 28, 2009#39

Lally

Shegokigo said:
:clap:

THIS!

Aug 28, 2009#40

Frankie Williamson

Honestly, that's a little sad. Reading Rainbow is the same age as me. I don't ever remember it not being on TV.

Aug 28, 2009#41

CrimsonSoul

*sigh*

Aug 29, 2009#42

Wasabi Poptart

ZenMonkey said:
CD, congrats on reading Dante's Inferno in the original Italian while you were breast-feeding and all...

I was going to say something similar, but I was thinking in-utero rather than breast-feeding.

That said, I was too old for Reading Rainbow when it started airing on my local PBS station back in NJ. I did catch it on days when I was sick though. Amazingly, I've remembered some of the books that had been reviewed when I did see the show and have gotten them for my kids. It is sad to see such a long-running educational kids' show get dropped.

Aug 29, 2009#43

Baerdog

My favorite episode ever has to be the one where LeVar was on the set of Star Trek TNG. I remember seeing that episode looong before I ever watch an episode of TNG but I loved it nonetheless.

Aug 29, 2009#44

Andromache

Aug 29, 2009#45

Frankie Williamson

I remember that episode just for the part where they talk about how the shuttlecraft in one of the scenes had a disposable razor for nacels.

Aug 29, 2009#46

Baerdog

I loved how the transporter effects were basically a bunch of glitter swirled around in a glass of water.

Aug 29, 2009#47

Bubble181

I'm amazed and surprised every time I see his eyes. He's supposed to be blind!

Aug 30, 2009#48

Philosopher B.

I could read when I was only a gleam in my father's eye.

But, you don't have to take MY word for it.

Aug 30, 2009#49

Baerdog

Philosopher B. said:
I could read when I was only a gleam in my father's eye.

But, you don't have to take MY word for it.

Well done, sir. Well done.

Aug 30, 2009#50

Chippy

Aug 31, 2009#51

GeneralOrder24

Well, I hear it is getting an action adventure spin-off: Reading Rainbow Six.

Aug 31, 2009#52

Drachenherz

GeneralOrder24 said:
Well, I hear it is getting an action adventure spin-off: Reading Rainbow Six.

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