Reading Rainbow

Reading Rainbow (1983-2006)

EndedScripted showChildren

Reading Rainbow is an American children's television series aired by PBS from June 6, 1983 until November 10, 2006 that encouraged reading among children. The award-winning public television series garnered over 200 broadcast awards, including scores of Emmy Awards, many for "Outstanding Children's Series". The series was created under the leadership of Cecily Truett Lancit and Larry Lancit, at Lancit Media Productions in New York. The concept of a reading series for children was inspired by Twila Liggett, Ph.D., of Lincoln, Nebraska of the Great Plains National Instructional Television Library at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Paul Schupbach, director of the Great Plains National Instructional Television LIbrary; and Tony Buttino, of WNED-TV Buffalo, New York. The original team included Lynne Brenner Ganek, Ellen Schecter, and LeVar Burton as host.

Streaming

Watch Now

Network
ScheduleMonday - Sunday (daily) at 14:30 (30 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S21E05Show WayNov. 10, 2006
S21E04Game DayNov. 9, 2006
S21E03Boxes for KatjeNov. 8, 2006
S21E02I Lost My Tooth in AfricaNov. 7, 2006
S21E01The Biggest Test in the UniverseNov. 6, 2006
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did the Reading Rainbow premiere?

The Reading Rainbow premiered on June 6, 1983.

Who was the host of Reading Rainbow?

The host of Reading Rainbow was LeVar Burton.

What was the show's concept?

The concept of Reading Rainbow was to promote children's literacy by featuring books and their authors.

Was Reading Rainbow only for children?

Yes, Reading Rainbow was specifically produced for children.

Did Reading Rainbow win any awards?

Yes, Reading Rainbow won numerous awards including multiple Emmy awards.

What was the show's theme song?

The theme song of Reading Rainbow was "Reading Rainbow Theme" composed by Steve Horelick and Dennis Neil Kleinman.

How many episodes of Reading Rainbow were produced?

A total of 155 episodes of Reading Rainbow were produced.

Did Reading Rainbow have special guests?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had special guests, including celebrities and authors.

Did Reading Rainbow only focus on books?

Yes, Reading Rainbow was primarily focused on books and promoting literacy.

Did Reading Rainbow have any spin-offs?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had a few spin-offs, including a series of video releases and an educational website.

Did Reading Rainbow tackle social issues?

Yes, Reading Rainbow tackled social and cultural issues, such as diversity and inclusion within literature.

Did Reading Rainbow have any critics?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had some critics who felt it was too focused on commercializing children's literature.

How did Reading Rainbow change over time?

Over time, Reading Rainbow incorporated more interactive segments and incorporated technology, such as virtual reality.

Did Reading Rainbow have any impact on society?

Yes, Reading Rainbow had a significant impact on promoting literacy and encouraging children to read.

Was Reading Rainbow popular?

Yes, Reading Rainbow was a popular show, receiving high ratings and critical acclaim.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Saturday Night Live
Running

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live is an Emmy Award-winning late-night comedy showcase.

Since its inception in 1975, "SNL" has launched the careers of many of the brightest comedy performers of their generation. As The New York Times noted on the occasion of the show's Emmy-winning 25th Anniversary special in 1999, "in defiance of both time and show business convention, 'SNL' is still the most pervasive influence on the art of comedy in contemporary culture." At the close of the century, "Saturday Night Live" placed seventh on Entertainment Weekly's list of the Top 100 Entertainers of the past fifty years.

Lioness
Running

Lioness

Lioness, inspired by an actual U.S. Military program, follows the life of Joe while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA's spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade and Donald Westfield, enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA's efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

Doc
Running

Doc

Doc centers on the hard-charging, brilliant Dr. Amy Larsen, Chief of Internal and Family Medicine at Westside Hospital in Minneapolis. After a brain injury erases the last eight years of her life, Amy must navigate an unfamiliar world where she has no recollection of patients she's treated, colleagues she's crossed, the soulmate she divorced, the man she now loves and the tragedy that caused her to push everyone away. She can rely only on her estranged 17-year-old daughter, whom she remembers as a 9-year-old, and a handful of devoted friends, as she struggles to continue practicing medicine, despite having lost nearly a decade of knowledge and experience.

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
Running

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage follows Georgie and Mandy as they raise their young family in Texas while navigating the challenges of adulthood, parenting and marriage.

NCIS: Origins
Running

NCIS: Origins

In NCIS: Origins, young Leroy Jethro Gibbs starts his career as a newly minted special agent at the fledgling NCIS Camp Pendleton office where he forges his place on a gritty, ragtag team led by NCIS legend Mike Franks.