By Sophia M. Mr. Rogers is an icon of kindness in the world. Throughout 31 seasons and over 900 episodes that were produced, Mr. Rogers encouraged kindness and taught children how to be good people to themselves and others. Not only did Mr. Rogers teach the children watching how to be great human beings, he also handled some very heavy topics including divorce, war and the assassination of JFK, just to name a few. When Mr. Rogers was discussing any topic, he wouldn’t talk down to or be condescending to his audience. Instead he would explain the topic in simple words that kids could understand. He would explain the topics in many ways such as showing a video on “picture-picture,” talking directly to the audience, or one of the most popular he would visit the “Land of Make Believe” with the puppets. Despite what people may think, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood wasn’t Mr. Roger’s first television show, nor was being a television star his first career choice. Once out of high school, Mr. Rogers decided to earn a degree in music composition. During his senior year in collage during a visit home, Mr. Rogers discovered the art of television. Instead of immediately going to Seminary, as he had initially planned, Mr. Rogers co-produced a television series called The Children’s Corner. The show aired from 1954-1962 when Mr. Rogers decided to refocus on going to Seminary (https://www.misterrogers.org/). After Mr. Rogers was ordained to serve children and families, he decided to reach people through television. Mr. Rogers moved to Canada and where he first became Mister Rogers in front of a camera in 1963 (https://www.misterrogers.org/). In 1966, Mr. Rogers moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he created the present day Mister Rogers Neighborhood, but the show wouldn’t air nationally until 1968 (https://www.misterrogers.org/). Mr. Rogers once said, "I’ll never forget the sense of wholeness I felt when I finally realized, after a lot of help from a lot of people, what, in fact, I really wasn’t. I was not just a songwriter or a language buff or a student of human development or a tele-communicator, but someone who could use every talent that had ever been given to me in the service of children and their families" (https://www.misterrogers.org/). One thing that may stand out to a viewer of the show is that not all the screen time is focused on Mr. Rogers, some of it was focused on the puppets from the “Land of Make Believe.” All together there were a total of seven puppets used thorough the show’s 37years on air (lasting form 1963-2001, only taking a year-off in 1967). The puppets’ names were; King Friday XIII, Queen Sarah, X the Owl, Henrietta Pussycat, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, Grandpere and Daniel Striped Tiger (https://www.atlasobscura.com/). Each puppet represented some form of childhood emotion. King Friday XIII represented the fears of children. In episodes 1-5, King Friday XIII slowly creates a war against change in the “Land of Make Believe” and enables a border draft of Lady Elaine Fairchilde in the “Land of Make Believe,” simulating the fears of wars and the draft during the Vietnam War. Not to mention that King Friday XIII was born on and named after Friday the 13th; a day that is considered a cursed day (http://www.neighborhoodarchive.com/). In addition, Daniel Striped Tiger represented the feeling of general sensitivity, X the Owl represented childlike wonder and curiosity, Henrietta Pussycat represented the want for yourself and Lady Elaine Fairchilde represented the unknown. The puppets are now being held in the Pittsburg Children’s Museum. Sadly, all good things come to an end. After 31 seasons and over 900 episodes, Mister Rogers Neighborhood ended in 2000, with the emotional shooting and airing of the final episode. On February 27, 2003, Mr. Rogers passed away at the age of 74. Throughout the years of the show being produced, Mr. Rogers always showed kindness as well as taught kindness. Whether it’s re-runs of Mister Roger's Neighborhood or the spin off show Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Mr. Rogers’s legacy will continue long after his death. Want to know even more? Check out the feature film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, featuring legendary actor Tom Hanks, that chronicles the spirit of kindness that Fred Rogers spread throughout the world. Available on Blu-Ray/DVD/Streaming on February 18, 2020. Comments are closed.
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The Merrill Gazette Staff...
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