Remembering "Reading Rainbow"

by elisa
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August 29, 2009
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In case you haven't heard, "Reading Rainbow" has been CANCELED. Yes, friends, it is truly the end of an era. If you came of age in the '80s or '90s, chances are you spent many an afternoon watching LeVar Burton talk about how wonderful books were (never mind the irony that it took a television to show to get kids to read books). And odds are you didn't stop at "Reading Rainbow," what other "educational" TV shows did you watch?

"Reading Rainbow"

Just in case you needed some memory jogging (or just in case you wanted an ’80s flashback).

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: by ghosty 08/31/2009

I learned recently that Wanda Sykes sang the intro, which puts her even higher in my list of awesome people.

: by elisa 09/01/2009

Wanda Sykes?!?! NO Way! That’s an AWESOME piece of trivia right there.

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: by susie 09/04/2009

Wait, Wanda Sykes really sang that intro?? I did not know she could sing. WOW!!

"The Magic School Bus"

This was one exception to the book is always better rule— both the books and the show were AWESOME.

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: by chelsea 08/30/2009

I was always obsessed with her oufits!

: by elisa 08/31/2009

Mrs. Frizzle was one snazzy dresser.

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: by susie 09/08/2009

Yup, just a tad. Haha.

Today's Special

Late at night when all the customers are gone, a department store mannequin with a magic hat comes to life and learns all about the world. Come on, don’t tell me you don’t remember this one!

added by tmamone 08/29/2009

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: by elisa 08/29/2009

Haha, I TOTALLY remember this one!

: by susie 09/03/2009

Um, THIS was my favorite show EVER. I still think about it all the time and have a teddy bear named after Jeffrey. BEST SHOW EVER!!!

"Mathnet"

So Mathnet was really part of “Square One,” but I’m going to single out just because I have such found memories.

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: by juliak 08/30/2009

This is one of my favorite shows ever!

: by elisa 08/31/2009

Yay! I’m glad somebody else loved this show— I would have been sad otherwise!

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: by elisa 09/03/2009

Another Square One fan! Hurrah!

"Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?"

Not only did I watch the show, but I also had the computer game!

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: by chelsea 08/30/2009

MY FAVORITE!

: by elisa 08/31/2009

SUCH a great show. I’m going to make kids watch it on YouTube (if YouTube is still around in 10 years, that is).

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: by susie 09/03/2009

Best computer game ever!! My sister and I played it until it broke!

"Beakman's World"

I always thought this show was a kind of random, but in an age of weird television for kids (see “Pete and Pete,”) I guess there really wasn’t much of a surprise here.

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: by chelsea 08/30/2009

I totally forgot about this one!

: by susie 09/03/2009

Wow, have not thought about this in years! I remember thinking it was a Bill Nye knock-off!

: by elisa 09/03/2009

Haha, same here!

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: by aliciak 09/02/2009 Show 1 Reply

Wanna hear something crazy? I was born in 1981, watched a fair amount of TV growing up and have NEVER seen Reading Rainbow.

: by chelsea 09/01/2009 Show 1 Reply

So sad that I won’t be able to set my children in front of the tv to watch someone read to them :( lol boo.

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About The Author

elisa

"The Valley"

Favorite Food: Japanese; Favorite Drink: Pyramid Apricot Ale; Favorite Music: KCRW; Favorite Book: Middlesex; Favorite TV Show: 30 Rock; Favorite Movie: Amelie; Favorite Golden Girl: Blanche