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Reading Rainbow

  • TV Series
  • 1983–2006
  • TV-Y
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
LeVar Burton in Reading Rainbow (1983)
AnimationComedyDramaFamilyFantasySci-Fi

Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.

  • Stars
    • LeVar Burton
    • Stephen Horelick
    • Jennifer Betit Yen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    5.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • LeVar Burton
      • Stephen Horelick
      • Jennifer Betit Yen
    • 30User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 37 wins & 93 nominations total

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    Top cast99+

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    LeVar Burton
    LeVar Burton
    • Self - Host
    • 1983–2006
    Stephen Horelick
    Stephen Horelick
    • Self - Music Director…
    • 1983–2002
    Jennifer Betit Yen
    • Self
    Fred Newman
    • Self…
    • 1986–1991
    Ruby Dee
    Ruby Dee
    • Self
    • 1984–2001
    Kenny Blank
    Kenny Blank
    • Self - Book Reviewer…
    • 1987–1989
    Arnold Stang
    Arnold Stang
    • Self
    • 1986–1995
    Lee Murphy
    • Announcer…
    • 1991
    Laura Haymann
    • Self…
    • 1986
    James Avery
    James Avery
    • Self
    • 1992–2006
    Lea Salonga
    Lea Salonga
    • Self
    • 1993–2001
    Michael Ansara
    Michael Ansara
    • Self - Narrator
    • 1983–1993
    Vincent Gardenia
    Vincent Gardenia
    • Self
    • 1983–1991
    Tom Puckett
    Tom Puckett
    • Self - Book Reviewer
    • 1983
    Linda Gelman
    • Narrator…
    • 1983
    Anne Michele Harrington
    • Self - Book Reviewer
    • 1983
    Carolyn McMahon
    • Dancer…
    • 1983
    Doug Parvin
    • Camper…
    • 1983
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews30

    8.45.4K
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    Featured reviews

    8tristenjones-74208

    Back when Educational Shows were good

    Back when I was a toddler and maybe up to 2nd grade, these shows were honestly what I watched everyday and this is one of them. I was honestly hooked to this show even if it did seem a little outdated for it's time. I loved the stories LeVar would read since it filled my imagination.

    Nowadays, there's no shows that are like this anymore to be honest with you. Except for maybe Sesame Street (but that show is probably never going to end), and maybe a few others. To the parents that want to show their kids a classic TV show, then I definitely recommend this one.
    strid333

    I loved this show

    This was such a great show. I especially loved the story book time. I also really liked the showing how things are done.

    I think my favorite of all the episodes would be visiting LeVar's other workplace - the set of Star Trek TNG in its first season. It was one of the first times that they actually showed how they did all the special effects (I only wish that they waited a couple more seasons to make this episode because they might've had some Borg makeup). Now, with DVDs, this episode is pointless, but I still don't care.

    On a personal note, one of my friends briefly appeared in an episode. He was 6 (like me) at the time. It was the episode of the Library of Congress and he and his mom are seen running up the stairs. He told me that if he knew better, he would've gone over to LeVar because he would've met Geordi LaForge (but this was a year before TNG even started and there are still ST conventions). Yeah, we are both geeks at heart.
    10UniqueParticle

    Spectacular endearing kid show

    I was rewatching this today after not seeing for at least 18 years, btw I am 27 years old now and still love heartwarming kid stuff. There's nothing wrong with being innocent and jolly no matter what age! Great vast info to learn in each episode and hilarious with the sound effects. I love everything about classics like this!
    tubasunshine

    "Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high..."

    I used to love this show! I watched it religiously for years, and wish I had time to watch it now. This show really turned me on to reading as a kid, and we need more shows like this to get kids who have 100+ channels, computers and multiple video games back to the basics of reading. While the theme song was trite, it was catchy & easy to remember. And even though some aspects of the program on the overdone side, this show has wonderful "bones", & contributed overwhelmingly to my childhood, and the childhoods of many others as well.
    Bass-o-matic

    Fascinating, informative, entertaining...

    This show, at least in it's current state, is better than 99% of the crap one will find on network tv. I've seen up close pottery making by Indians in the mid-west, examined the inner workings of the largest galactic telescope in the world in Puerto Rico, and otherwise been very entertained and informed from the times I've caught this show just before Charlie Rose came on.

    Levar does a nice job of imparting important virtues to kids - RESPECT for creativity and craft, your elders, the environment... what more could you ask for, in an age when parents take NO responsibility for raising kids and kids have no respect even for human life??

    As far as the books reviewed, I can't vouch for this, but I've always left with a good, warm feeling about people every time I watch this show, (and I usually feel like heaving when I see the other crap on tv).

    I say, 'KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!'

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the TV series was cancelled, LeVar Burton received the copyright and developed an iOS educational app. In 2014, Burton decided to do a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to establish Reading Rainbow as an Android app and a class reading supplement resource for underfunded schools. The 30-day campaign's initial goal, $1 million, was raised within 11 hours. At the end of the full campaign, over $6 million had been raised. Seth MacFarlane contributed $1 million when the campaign hit $5 million.
    • Quotes

      LeVar Burton: [about to have kids introduce more recommended books] Of course, you don't have to take *my* word for it.

    • Alternate versions
      Recent airings (2000) have re-edited older episodes to include new footage of Levar Burton running around with kids to a new Reading Rainbow theme song at the beginning and end.
    • Connections
      Edited into Doggiewoggiez! Poochiewoochiez! (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Reading Rainbow Theme Song
      Written by Stephen Horelick and Dennis Neil Kleinman and Janet Weir

      Performed by Tina Fabrique

      [Her version of the theme song ran from 1983 until 1999]

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does Reading Rainbow have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 11, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Радуга-читальня
    • Filming locations
      • Sonoran Desert National Monument, Gila Bend, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • WNED-TV Buffalo
      • Lancit Media Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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