"It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..."--this was the beginning of my favorite song as a kid and I used to sing it often. Some of you will recognize this song from the classic American children's television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood . Yesterday (19 Feb) marked 50 years since Mister Rogers's Neighborhood was first broadcast on national television. I just finished listening to a special episode of the NPR podcast Fresh Air "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' at 50, which includes a 1984 interview that Terry Gross conducted with Fred Rogers. Listening to this podcast brought back many good memories of my childhood in Michigan!
Why did I enjoy this program so much? I think it was the predictability of the show. He comes in the door, changes into his sneakers, puts on his sweater, and greets the audience. I liked his different colored sweaters, particularly the yellow one! His voice was very soothing and his demeanor calming. The songs were cheerful and uplifting. They were easy to remember and easy to sing. For example:
"It's Such a Good Feeling" By Fred M. Rogers © 1970
It's such a good feeling to know you're alive.
It's such a happy feeling: You're growing inside.
And when you wake up ready to say,
"I think I'll make a snappy new day."
It's such a good feeling, a very good feeling,
The feeling you know that we're friends.
Source
A lot of kids liked the puppets but I did not find them that interesting. I still remember Prince Tueday and King Friday. He was very patient with the puppets and explained things to them clearly. Kind, encouraging, and friendly Mister Rogers was an important part of my childhood.
Here are some things I learned about Fred Rogers from the interview:
--He thought he was going to be a diplomat and changed his mind in college, planning to go to seminary to become a minister after he graduated. However, after he "saw people throwing pies in each other's faces and all kinds of demeaning behavior" on TV, Rogers decided he wanted to work in the TV industry to make better programs. Initially he worked for NBC but later left to work for a new tv station called Educational Television. He made 75 dollars a week on the "Children's Corner" and after he got into the routine, he started taking classes at seminary during his lunch hour and got his degree after 8 years.
--Daniel the tiger puppet was named after Mrs Daniel, the general manager of the station. Rogers went on the air with the puppet she had given him because the film they were meant to play was brittle and broke. Everything was live so when they couldn't play the movie, he had to improvise and that's how Daniel the Tiger made his first appearance on TV. Fred said to Terry, "necessity was the mother of that invention" and
"What is spontaneous can be truly inspired." How true!
--After he graduated from seminary he was expecting to work for the church but someone from CBC in Toronto offered him a program. Fred said, "there are people in your life who think that you can do more than you think you can do." This man trusted Fred Rogers and encouraged him to produce the show, which later became Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
--Although he was an ordained minister, he did not want his show to be overly religious. He did not want to exclude any children from the neighborhood.
If you are interested to read more on the legacy of Mister Rogers, I recommend this great essay by TV critic David Bianculli: It's A Beautiful 50th Birthday For 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'.
Note: The photo at the top of the page was taken with my Canon 7D during a trip to Jervis Bay, Australia.