Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was my favorite show when I was little. I loved it more than Sesame Street, more than the Electric Company, more than the Magic Garden and more than cartoons. I don’t know why I loved it so much exactly, but it permanently imprinted in my brain much deeper than all the other children’s shows.
I remember watching Mister Rogers change his shoes and his sweater, I remember meeting the people in the neighborhood and most of all, I remember the trolley and the Neighborhood of Make Believe. Henrietta Pussycat was my personal favorite. Isn’t it crazy to think that we developed this much love for a show without any merchandise? There were no King Friday figurines or Neighborhood of Make Believe play sets. We just watched, felt comforted and LOVED it.
Feeling comforted is the thing about Mister Rogers. The world is a big place, especially to a little kid, and he made us feel like it wasn’t so scary. He was a grown man talking to us like we were on his level, even about tough subjects like death and divorce. He taught us that we were worthy of love and how to love back. He told us we were special, and we believed it.
There is a new Fred Rogers documentary coming out called “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and it seems almost like the perfect antidote to our present day crisis. Just the sound of his voice in the trailer moved me to tears, but coupled with the message of kindness and inclusivity, it made me realize how desperately this world needs Mister Rogers back in our lives.
Being a “good neighbor” seemed like such a simple concept to me as a kid, but now I know that it wasn’t that simple of a concept when Fred Rogers started his show. And it’s certainly not that simple now. Looking back on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, you realize that through children, he was trying to create a better, kinder world of grown-ups.
I hope this nasty hiccup in our history will give way to his true legacy.
What is your favorite Mister Rogers memory?
I loved when he would take off his shoes and throw it to his other hand, I have no idea why – but it stuck with me! Such a good show – agreed, we need some more Mr. Rogers in our lives.
Queue the tears! Emotional as I write this response, I can’t think of much to add to what you’ve already said other than I loved how he spoke to us as children like we were people, on his level, with the same trust and respect as if he were talking to an adult. He really was remarkable.
I also loved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a child. It is also the only show I can remember from my early childhood. Have you heard the episode of Fresh Air where Terry Gross interviews Fred Rogers? It is great!
FEBRUARY 19, 2018
‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ At 50 / ‘The Shape of Water’ Actor Doug Jones
We’ve been watching some episodes on Amazon Prime Video and honestly i’m struck by how quiet they are. Everything else my kids watch has so much background music and flashy stuff and here is Mr. Rogers just chatting away and showing you how things work. They. Love. It! The Orange Juice episode is a favorite. Also my favorite growing up was the crayon factory episode.
I was thinking the exact same thing: we need this movie. I grew up loving Mister Rogers. Everything he taught on his show resonated with me. I cannot wait to see it!
As soon as the trailer started I began to cry, and then i began to wonder why Mr. Rogers Neighborhood has such an effect on me. I was a 5 yr old girl who just came from Mexico with my mother and didn’t speak the language. Everyday I would watch Mr. Rogers and I learned so much. I loved when he would turn his picture frame into a television and I got to learn how crayons were made. I learned a lot. Now I just wish I could get my kids to sit and watch an episode or two.
I cried just at the sight of his face. I’m crying because his show was pivotal in my childhood, and I miss his sincere kindness. I’m so grateful Focus is doing his documentary at some a critical time.
This is such a wonderful tribute. There is also a fabulous video of Mr. Rogers, single-handedly saving funding for PBS, before a Senate sub-committee in 1969. It is a video well worth watching, just in how he describes his show and what the needs of children truly are. So great!
I felt the same way about Mr Rogers. Sesame Street was just the appetizer to get to the main course of Make Believe land. Henrietta Pussycat was by far my favorite, but I loved Lady Elaine Fairchild, and Queen Sara Saturday. Also, can’t forget Mr. McFeeley and trolley. I could watch him feed his fish, change his shoes and zip into those colored cardigans all day. My favorite episode by far was going to the crayon factory. I miss this show so much!
I I think today’s children are missing programming like this! Daniel Tiger May be similar but it’s Mr Roger’s heart that is missing. What a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing
It is so hard to pick one thing I loved about Mr. Roger’s and his show. If I had to pick I’d say it was when he would put his cardigan and sneakers on while talking to us. He had the ability even through a tv screen, to make you feel loved, that he was talking directly to you. We didn’t have a tv when I was growing up so seeing Mr. Roger’s was a special treat when would go on holiday in the summer, stay at hotels at watch it there. Also got to watch it when would spend time at family members homes.
Mr. Roger’s looks like my dad, exactly like him, even down to the eye colour. Only thing different was my dad’s ears stuck out a bit more than Mr. Roger’s and my dad had a slight gap between his front two teeth.
It makes you feel good but hurts your heart at the same time to see him now. I can’t wait for this documentary to come out.