READING RAINBOW LIVE Reboot Premieres Without LeVar Burton
By Movieguide® Contributor
Generations who learned to read from the PBS television classic READING RAINBOW is finally coming back as READING RAINBOW LIVE.
Unlike it’s READING RAINBOW predecessor, the program is only available via streaming on the app Looped.
The first episode debuted March 6.
“Kids generally don’t sit down in front of a television to watch TV at an appointed time,” PRS Executive Vice President Nancy Hammond said. “Kids are watching content on mobile devices. They’re streaming it on their tablets.”
In addition to becoming more interactive with the viewers, READING RAINBOW LIVE will not feature iconic host LeVar Burton. Instead, the show will be hosted by a group of 20-somethings called “The Rainbows.”
Many parents have voiced their displeasure at the change, as they grew up with Burton reading them popular children’s stories.
Though PBS claims to have wholesome family programming for children, the channel has also had a rocky relationship with parents. The children’s cartoons ARTHUR and CAILLOU include content that do not align with biblical principles.
Burton is excluded from participating following a dispute between he and Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the umbrella for WNED, which is the same PBS station who produced the original READING RAINBOW and still holds the license for the content.
READING RAINBOW LIVE Creative Director Amy Guglielmo says the reboot was born out of response to the massive amount of content children began to consume during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know it was a tough pandemic for parents, for caregivers, for teachers. We wanted to make sure that we have kids engaging with books and we’re going to use movement and music to engage kids in learning. And we really want kids to see themselves in the books that we’re choosing, and we’re going to use diverse creators, authors, illustrators, settings,” Guglielmo said.
During the pandemic, children’s screentime skyrocketed, triggering eyesight problems and obesity among children.
Movieguide® advises parents teach their children media wisdom in order to discern the content they consume.
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