Mychal Threets, a dedicated librarian, was incredulous when he received an email last year inviting him to host a new iteration of the beloved children’s program, ‘Reading Rainbow.’ He initially suspected it was a prank.
“I truly believed it was a trick when they first contacted me,” recalled Threets, widely known as Mychal the Librarian on social media. “My thought was, ‘Okay, I’ll just go along with it.’”
But it was no joke.
Today marks the much-anticipated return of the celebrated series, absent from screens for nearly twenty years, now helmed by Mr. Threets. Produced by Embassy Row in collaboration with Buffalo Toronto Public Media (the show’s original creators), this new version will premiere on KidZuko, a children’s YouTube channel from Sony Pictures Television, departing from its traditional broadcast on PBS and PBS Kids.
Alongside Mr. Threets, the program will welcome a star-studded lineup of guests, such as John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Gabrielle Union.
“I’ve always been a huge admirer of individuals like LeVar Burton, Mr. Rogers, Steve Irwin, and Bob Ross – all those incredibly wholesome figures,” Threets remarked, referencing several beloved PBS personalities, including the original ‘Reading Rainbow’ host. “The mere thought of being considered for this role was astounding.”
Michael Davies, an executive producer renowned for his work on “Jeopardy!” and for bringing “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” to American audiences, initiated the ‘Reading Rainbow’ revival in 2020. Initially, he approached various streaming services and broadcast networks, but, as he noted, “there wasn’t much interest from anyone.”
Despite the lukewarm reception, his conviction in the show’s timeless appeal remained unshaken.
However, a trailer launched this week on YouTube and other social media platforms quickly amassed over two million views on Instagram alone, dramatically altering the landscape. “Everything changed,” Mr. Davies stated. “Now, we’re receiving numerous inquiries.”
This iteration differs significantly from Buffalo Toronto Public Media’s 2022 attempt, which was a single live event featuring five co-hosts singing and dancing. Mr. Threets’s show will largely retain the essence of the original, infused with some contemporary updates. Expect a fresh recording of the iconic theme song and the inclusion of a new trivia segment.
Nevertheless, with Mr. Threets at the forefront, the show’s core dedication to fostering reading will remain steadfast.
“My lifelong goal has always been to champion librarians and young readers,” Mr. Threets shared. “I want to reassure every child that they are inherently readers, capable, and worthy.”
This revival emerges during a politically sensitive period marked by reduced government funding for public television. According to Nancy Hammond, an executive vice president at Buffalo Toronto Public Media and a producer of the reboot, the show aims to underscore public media’s unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality, educational content, freely accessible to young learners.
Originally, ‘Reading Rainbow’ aired from 1983 to 2006, with Mr. Burton leading the program, partially supported by the Department of Education. Its primary objective was to combat learning loss in children during summer breaks.
The series achieved immense success, garnering over 250 awards, including 26 Emmy Awards and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. At its peak, it captivated over two million weekly viewers, establishing itself as the most-watched program in elementary school classrooms, as reported by PBS.
LeVar Burton, celebrated for his iconic roles as Kunta Kinte in ‘Roots’ and Geordi La Forge in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’ became synonymous with ‘Reading Rainbow.’ His image remains powerfully connected to children’s literacy for many, including Mr. Threets, who humorously addressed comparisons by quipping on Instagram, ‘If you’re upset because I’m not LeVar Burton… GET BEHIND ME!’
Notably, in 2023, upon receiving the National Endowment for the Humanities medal from President Biden, Mr. Burton was fittingly asked to sing the opening lines of the ‘Reading Rainbow’ theme song.
The torch of childhood literacy is now passed to Mr. Threets, whose own journey with children’s books began in 2013 as a librarian in Northern California.
During the 2020 pandemic, he started sharing short videos on TikTok, featuring library anecdotes and book readings. These quickly gained immense popularity, propelling his account to over 847,000 followers and earning more than a dozen videos over a million views each.
Last March, after confronting significant personal mental health struggles, he resigned from his position, planning to end his life the following day. However, it was the heartwarming sight of children finding joy in the library that ultimately compelled him to keep living.
Just months later, the ‘Reading Rainbow’ opportunity arose. According to Mr. Davies, no audition was needed; Threets was the immediate and obvious choice for a show designed for social media. His team instantly recognized him as the ideal host.
“While it wasn’t the sole factor that saved me, it certainly gave me a reason to continue on,” Mr. Threets reflected.