'Reading Rainbow' returns with new host, star-studded episodes
"Reading Rainbow" is returning nearly two decades after the iconic children's reading program went off the air.
This time, the show has found a new host in none other than Mychal Threets, the librarian who went viral on TikTok for sharing heartwarming stories of "library joy."
"Take a look, it's in a book. After nearly 20 years... Reading Rainbow is returning to motivate, help, and encourage kids to become avid readers with new episodes, new friends, new projects, and of course... new books!" the show wrote Monday in the caption of a joint Instagram video post with Threets and PBS member station BTPM PBS in Buffalo, New York, which created the original series in 1983.
"Make sure to follow the rainbow," it added.
In the accompanying video, Threets introduces several guest stars, including "Dancing with the Stars" pro dancers Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa and "The Bear" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" star Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
The video also teases singer John Legend, TV personality and podcast host Chrissy Teigen, and actors Gabrielle Union, Jamie Chung, and actor Adam DeVine, who will help narrate new stories.
Threets also reveals in the video that the series will incorporate new activities, showcasing postcard-making and even an activity making mini libraries.
In a separate Instagram post Tuesday, Threets wrote, "There have been two hosts in the history of Reading Rainbow. The Legend of Literacy, LeVar Burton! And... me, Mychal Threets, a librarian."
"I was raised on Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton is my hero," he continued. "I am a reader, I am a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow so powerfully made us believe we belong in books, we belong everywhere."
He added, "I am so happy for all of us that Reading Rainbow is returning! YOU all did this! We're flying twice as high, butterflies in the sky! Stay tuned...."
The new "Reading Rainbow" will be presented as a digital series on the Reading Rainbow website and KidZuko, a children's YouTube channel. The first of four new episodes premieres this Saturday and each subsequent episode will be released each Saturday at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET until Oct. 25.
"Reading Rainbow" first launched on PBS over 40 years ago in 1983 with host LeVar Burton introducing young readers to literature and life themes.
The show has earned multiple Emmy Awards for outstanding children's series, as well as Emmys for outstanding directing in a children's series and two Emmys for outstanding performer in a children's series for Burton.
The series ran until 2006.
