Mr. Reading Rainbow's Radical Message to Parents

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

Oh no, he didn't.

Levar Burton, host of the now canceled PBS children's series "Reading Rainbow," didn't just tell legions of parents: "I couldn't care less whether kids learn to read."

Oh yes, he did.

But, that's not all the 26-year veteran of the popular kid's show got off his chest during a recent public statement.

Burton also told his loyal fans (or at least the ones who can read): "May that godforsaken show burn in hell."

That was before the former "Roots" star let this doozy rip: "Look, Reading Rainbow was a television program. That should tell you something right there. What I should have done is hosted a show that taught children how to watch more television. I bet they would have come up with the funding to renew that show."

Now, before you go hating on Levar Burton, I should mention that the actor's rant was shared exclusively with readers of "The Onion," a satirical news organization, which often pokes fun at mainstream America.

Burton lets loose in his hilarious article titled: "My Living Nightmare of Encouraging Kids to Read is Over."

In his tongue-in-cheek piece Burton is an equal opportunity basher, first ripping on his former employer:

"For 26 years, I've told kids they could open a magical door to another world just by reading a book, when the only door it ever opened for me led to a soul-sucking career in the horrifying abyss of public television."

Then taking aim at the authors of the kids' books he pimped out to young viewers for nearly three decades:

"Those humiliating books Maebelle's Suitcase and The Jolly Postman. These were not the classics. Anyone who could glue paper between two pieces of cardboard and hire a publicist could get a book on that show. And there I was, in sheer agony, trying to keep a smile on my face while talking up Germs Make Me Sick!"

I thought Burton's article was a riot.

But don't take my word for it (oh c'mon, who could resist?), you can read Burton's entire tirade here.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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