Reading Rainbow's Final Episode Airs Today

Before it was just a gateway to nostalgia, Reading Rainbow impassioned various generations of youngsters to pick up a book. But no more: The show will air its final episode today, ending a 26-year stretch.

The show began in 1983, and its impressive streak earned it more than 24 Emmys and a third place spot for longest-running children's show, behind Sesame Street and Mister Rogers. 

Reading Rainbow was hosted by LeVar Burton, whose other notable roles include Kunta Kinte in Roots and Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

John Grant, who is in charge of content at WNED Buffalo, Reading Rainbow's home station, told NPR that the show is ending due to lack of funds to renew its broadcast rights. The renewal would have cost several hundred thousand dollars, an amount that WNED, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting couldn't provide.

Related links:
News: Feist Teaches Kids To Count To Four On Sesame Street
LOTD: The 40 Best TV Theme Songs Of All Time
YouTube: Mr. Rogers Goodbye