The Rise and Fall of Reading Rainbow: Lavar Burton’s Fight for Literacy, Legacy, and Justice.
Few television shows have left as deep an imprint on American childhood as PBS’s Reading Rainbow, hosted by the charismatic Lavar Burton.
For more than two decades, Burton encouraged millions of children to discover the joy of reading.
But the story behind Reading Rainbow’s meteoric success and heartbreaking demise is far more complex—a tale of political sabotage, bitter lawsuits, and the personal cost of fighting for literacy in America.
The Early Years: A Foundation Built on Books
Lavar Burton’s journey began far from Hollywood. Born in West Germany in 1957, the son of a U.S. Army photographer, Burton returned to Sacramento, California, at age three after his parents’ explosive separation.
His mother, Irma Jean Christian, was a high school English teacher turned social worker who made reading the foundation of their household.
She demanded her children speak proper English and read constantly, shaping Lavar into a lifelong literacy advocate.
Though Irma tried to shield her children from the trials she faced, Lavar’s upbringing was marked by discipline, curiosity, and a deep respect for the power of words.
At 13, he enrolled in a Catholic seminary, initially planning to become a priest.
But reading philosophy led him to question his calling, and he eventually abandoned priesthood dreams for the stage, enrolling at the University of Southern California to study drama.
Roots: Stardom and the Burden of Representation
At 19, Burton’s life changed forever. While preparing for a USC production, he was recommended for the role of Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots.
It was his first professional audition, and the show became a cultural phenomenon, earning him an Emmy nomination and making him a household name.
But success brought its own challenges. Burton feared being permanently typecast as Kunta Kinte, and for years, Hollywood offered him only roles that echoed the character.
Fame, particularly for Black performers, came with painful restrictions and expectations.
Reading Rainbow: Revolutionizing Children’s Television
In 1983, Burton found liberation from the shadow of Roots when he became host of Reading Rainbow.
The show’s format was revolutionary: each episode featured a children’s book narrated by celebrities, followed by Burton exploring the book’s themes through field trips and interviews.
The show ended with children giving reviews, capped by Burton’s signature line, “But you don’t have to take my word for it.”
Behind the scenes, however, Burton faced battles over his identity and creative control. When he grew a mustache and wore an earring, producers panicked, fearing young viewers would be confused.
Burton refused to conform, framing the dispute as an assertion of authenticity. As one of the most visible Black figures in public broadcasting, he carried cultural weight far beyond literacy education.
White producers wanted a safe, unchanging figure; Burton wanted to be himself—a Black man allowed to evolve without seeking permission from executives.
The tension revealed deeper issues about control, presentation, and the expectations placed on Black hosts.
Unprecedented Success—and Exhausting Costs
Despite these battles, Reading Rainbow became wildly successful. It ran for 23 years, producing 155 episodes, winning 26 Emmy Awards and a Peabody.
Burton’s warmth and genuine enthusiasm made him beloved by generations. But the personal cost of maintaining that image, while constantly fighting for creative control, was exhausting and demoralizing.
In 1986, Gene Roddenberry cast Burton as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, giving him another groundbreaking role—this time representing disability on-screen.
Juggling both shows created intense pressure, but Burton thrived, using each platform to reach audiences with messages about education, diversity, and imagination.
The Political Sabotage: No Child Left Behind
Dark clouds gathered in the early 2000s. The No Child Left Behind Act shifted federal funding away from programs like Reading Rainbow, which fostered a love of reading, toward direct skill-based instruction focused on standardized tests.
Burton watched helplessly as funding dried up, even though Reading Rainbow remained popular and critically acclaimed.
The show was sacrificed for programs teaching kids to pass tests, rather than to love learning or develop critical thinking.
In 2006, after 23 years, Reading Rainbow was canceled—not because audiences stopped watching, but because politicians decided to destroy it.
Burton called the decision a setback for children’s access to culturally rich literature and meaningful literacy education.
The Fight to Save Reading Rainbow: Lawsuits and Loss
After the series ended, Burton co-founded RR Kids, developing digital apps and web platforms to keep Reading Rainbow relevant for a new generation.
In 2011, he negotiated a licensing agreement with WNED, the Buffalo PBS affiliate that owned Reading Rainbow’s intellectual property. The deal allowed RR Kids to distribute episodes digitally and sell merchandise.
In 2014, Burton launched a high-profile Kickstarter campaign to revive Reading Rainbow, raising over $6.5 million from passionate fans.
The overwhelming response showed the show’s enduring cultural power. But WNED executives were furious, claiming Burton launched the campaign without proper authorization and undermined their efforts to develop new content.
The relationship between WNED and RR Kids collapsed under conflicting visions. WNED alleged RR Kids violated the licensing agreement, created new episodes with Reading Rainbow branding, and negotiated with Netflix for a reboot without their knowledge. In August 2015, WNED terminated the agreement and threatened legal action.
The Legal Battle: Accusations and Public Humiliation
By 2016, the dispute escalated into full legal warfare. RR Kids filed suit, asking a judge to determine they’d abided by the contract.
WNED countersued, making explosive allegations—including copyright infringement, cybersquatting, breach of contract, and interference with customer relations.
Most shockingly, WNED demanded Burton stop using his own catchphrase, “But you don’t have to take my word for it,” on his podcast.
They argued the phrase was immutably associated with Reading Rainbow and sought profits from his podcast and control of his social media accounts.
The legal papers dripped with hostility toward the man who had built Reading Rainbow’s cultural significance.
WNED accused Burton of exploiting the brand for personal financial gain and even resorting to theft and extortion to maintain control.
Burton called the litigation baseless, promising to defend himself in court. But the damage to his public image was done—the man who spent 23 years building Reading Rainbow was now accused of stealing it and exploiting children’s goodwill for profit.
The Jeopardy Disappointment: Another Public Blow
After Alex Trebek’s death in 2020, Burton became a popular candidate to host Jeopardy. Fans launched petitions, and Burton guest-hosted in July 2021.
His warm personality seemed a perfect fit, but executives chose other hosts, passing over Burton despite overwhelming public support.
The rejection was very public and humiliating. Burton described it as a “very public disappointment,” sparking debates about whether he was genuinely considered or exploited for publicity.
Many argued racial dynamics influenced the decision, questioning why a Black host with Burton’s credentials was passed over for less qualified candidates.
The Final Settlement and Burton’s Legacy
By 2024, the WNED legal battle had consumed nearly a decade of Burton’s life and energy, costing millions in legal fees and preventing him from fully controlling Reading Rainbow’s digital revival.
In September 2024, WNED and Burton’s company finally reached a settlement. All claims were resolved, and RR Kids no longer licenses the Reading Rainbow brand.
Burton walked away without Reading Rainbow’s name or intellectual property, but he continued his literacy work through other platforms, including his podcast—now free from legal restrictions.
He remained outspoken on cultural issues, defending consequence culture and advocating for accountability and justice.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Inspiration and Struggle
Lavar Burton’s story is one of triumph, heartbreak, and resilience. He inspired millions to love reading, broke barriers in television, and fought tirelessly for literacy.
But he also faced political sabotage, legal battles, and public disappointments—paying a high price for his advocacy.
Though he lost control of Reading Rainbow, Burton’s legacy endures in the lives he changed and the conversations he sparked about representation, education, and justice.
His fight for literacy continues, reminding us all that the love of reading is not a luxury, but a necessity for every child.
