The Read All About It! TVO Show that Scared Kids Smart in the 80s
In the 80s, there was an educational kids program on TVOntario (TVO) that used to scare me. For years, I’ve wondered what it was. It took me a while to remember enough clues to search online for information about it. Recently, through the magic of Google, I finally solved the mystery. The show I used to be frighted by was the “Read All About It!” TVO program.
Funny thing is, I don’t think the educational show was meant to be as scary as it was to me. But then again, I remember seeing it before I started kindergarten. Read All About It! is actually one of the first TV shows I remember watching. Probably around the same time as I would’ve been watching Sesame Street, Polka Dot Door, and Today’s Special.
Maybe Read All About It! wasn’t all that scary to you. But for me it was right up there with being as eerie as Dr Who. While I could survive an episode of Read All About It!, Dr Who used to provoke a mad dash to crank the TV dial to a different channel as soon as I heard its theme song start playing.
Read All About It TVO Show Inspires the Love of Sci-Fi
But as much as I remember the show being scary, I also remember it being a bit weird. Partly because there were a few sci-fi elements that I didn’t quite understand. Although, I didn’t understand them, I was intrigued though.
The show featured artificially intelligent characters, including Otto, a typewriter that communicates through print-outs, and Theta, a talking computer. The narrative involved a transporter for teleportation to the galaxy of Trialviron.
Although at times frightening, it triggered something within me that laid the foundation for my love of the sci-fi genre. It blazed neural pathways that were later traversed by less educational content like Star Trek, my beloved Star Wars, and many other sci-fi movies and TV Shows from the era.
The Unique Educational Sci-Fi TV Show from Canada
The Read All About It! TVO show, was produced from 1979 to 1980 (or to 1983 depending on the source). It aimed to educate viewers in the areas of reading, writing, and history.
It must’ve been on air longer than 1983 here in Ontario, because I can remember watching it and I would’ve only been three in 83.
I’ve come to understand that it was also aired in the US, and other countries. Not just that, it was shown in classrooms around the world.
One reviewer on the Internet Archive’s Read All About It! section, mentions that they remember watching the show in Australia as a kid. I had no idea that the show’s reach was that expansive. I figured it was just a little distinctly Canadian gem, that most people from outside of Canada wouldn’t have a clue what I was talking about.
With Interesting People Theres A Mystery To Be Solved
Notable characters from historical works of literature, like the Queen of Hearts and Merlin were transported into the show. Blending educational content with imaginative storytelling. The series explored themes of conspiracy and adventure through the lens of a children’s newspaper.
While I remembered the show’s sci-fi themes, I had forgotten the conspiracy-laden plot lines. Now that I am reminded of this aspect of the show, it makes sense why I grew up with a curious fascination with conspiracy theories.
Read All About It also addressed historical events, such as the War of 1812, in its second season. Making connections between the past and the present.
The show was filmed in Brampton, Ontario, and featured a cast of Canadian actors. Despite its educational goals, it managed to incorporate elements of fantasy and science fiction. Making it a precursor to modern “edutainment.”
Discovering All the Clues
In researching Read All About It, it became clear that the show had a notable impact on its viewers. Leaving a lasting impression with its unique blend of education and entertainment.
A DVD release was made by the Visual Education Center of Toronto, highlighting its continued relevance and interest.
A novel exists, although it seems to be quite rare to be able to track down physical copies now despite the interest of at least a few die-hard fans.
Read All About It Lives On Online!
For more details on the show, you can visit the Wikipedia page on “Read All About It!” TV series.
Or even better, if you’re brave enough to rewatch some of the show’s episodes (and to hear its iconic theme song once more), our friends at the Internet Archive have made available episodes of the show.
I started watching the first episode and as soon as the theme kicked in and the evil Duneedon’s face appeared, I felt the same weird sensations of fear, intrigue, anxiety and curiosity that I remember feeling 40 some-odd years ago.
Weird how that sort of thing stays with you. I highly recommend taking a peak. Be warned though, you will be left with the theme song stuck on repeat in your brain long afterwards. What an ear-worm that sucker is.
9 Educational Facts About the Read All About It TVO Series
- Diverse Story Arcs: The show featured various story arcs across its two seasons including time travel to the War of 1812, and adventures in Book World. It also included battles against the villain Duneedon, who plotted to conquer Earth from the galaxy of Trialviron.
- Educational Content: It was designed as a sci-fi educational series. Blending adventure with lessons in literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving, often involving puzzles, riddles, and word games.
- Global Reach and Legacy: Despite its original airing on TVO from 1979 to 1983, the show was broadcast on PBS in the USA and used in classrooms around the world into the early 21st century.
- Never Commercially Released: Due to original contractual stipulations, “Read All About It!” has never, and allegedly will never be commercially released.
- Comprehensive Cast and Crew: The series boasted a large ensemble cast and crew, with notable characters like Duneedon/Mayor Don Eden, Uncle Derek, and educational supervisors Ruth Vernon and Jennifer Harvey contributing to its production.
- Varied Themes: Episodes tackled themes from environmental conservation and historical events to literary adventures. Showcasing the program’s commitment to diverse educational content.
- Cross-Dimensional Travel and Fictional Integration: The narrative included unique elements like cross-dimensional travel to “Book World” and interactions with literary characters. Underscoring the show’s innovative approach to engaging children with literature and history.
- Focus on Community and Activism: The show emphasized the importance of community involvement and activism. The characters often rallied to save local parks or uncover municipal conspiracies, reflecting values of civic engagement and social responsibility. The kids used their literary prowess to start a print media newspaper called the Herbertville Chronicle to inform the public about the threats posed by the evil Duneedon.
- Cultural and Historical Guest Appearances: Notably, the series featured guest appearances by historical figures like Sir Isaac Brock and Laura Secord.
Read All About It TVO Series Impact and Legacy
“Read All About It!” remains a unique example of retro educational television. Combining adventure, education, and creativity in a way that still resonates with audiences today.
Its approach to tackling complex themes and promoting literacy and critical thinking among children set a precedent for educational content that remains relevant.
It also helped draw young audiences into the weird and wonderful world of Sci-Fi. All while empowering us to look for clues and use our literary skills to solve any mysteries we encountered.
We hope that you enjoyed thinking about the Read All About It TVO show from the 80s. We sure did. Thanks Please drop a comment below to share your memories of this little piece of nostalgic retro educational entertainment.
Have a rad rest of your day!
FAQ
What is ‘Read All About It’? ‘Read All About It’ is an educational TV show produced by TVOntario in the late 70s and early 80s. It was esigned to teach children about reading, writing, and history through sci-fi themes and storylines.
Why was ‘Read All About It’ considered scary? Some children found the show scary due to its sci-fi themes, artificial intelligence characters, and mysterious plots, which seemed quite intense for younger viewers.
What educational topics did ‘Read All About It’ cover? The show covered a wide range of topics including literacy, critical thinking, historical events like the War of 1812, and introduced children to science fiction concepts.
Who were the notable characters in ‘Read All About It’? Notable characters included Otto, a typewriter that communicates through print-outs, Theta, a talking computer, and various historical figures brought into the storyline.
Was ‘Read All About It’ shown outside of Canada? Yes, despite being produced by TVOntario, the show was aired in the US and other countries and used in classrooms around the world well into the early 21st century.
Is ‘Read All About It’ available for purchase or online viewing? Due to original contractual stipulations, the show has never been and allegedly will never be commercially released. However, some episodes are available for online viewing through platforms like the Internet Archive.
Are there any communities or groups for fans of ‘Read All About It’? Yes, there is a small Facebook group where fans of the show can share their experiences and reminisce about the series.
Craig is a partner, and proud father of a teenage daughter, and two dogs. He's an avid blogger who loves researching and discussing 80s and 90s nostalgia. When not working on his website or hanging with his fam, Craig enjoys playing guitar, watching lacrosse, and being near water.