Sad Day In Neighborhood; 'Mr. Rogers' Dies
Rogers Created New Shows From 1968-2000
Updated: 1:13 p.m. EST February 27, 2003
PITTSBURGH -- America has lost one of its most beloved neighbors.
Rogers had said he never thought of himself as a TV star -- just a neighbor who comes for a visit. He composed his own songs for the show and began each episode in a set made to look like a comfortable living room, singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood," wearing sneakers and a zip-up cardigan.
The final new episode was taped in December 2000 and aired in August 2001 -- but PBS stations continued to air earlier episodes.
From 1968 to 2000, the ordained Presbyterian minister produced "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" at Pittsburgh public television station WQED.
Rogers came out of retirement last year to record four public service announcements for PBS, telling parents that children might be confused by the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He warned them they might think it's happening all over again.
In a statement on PBS' Web site Thursday, the broadcasting company posted advice for parents to help children deal with Rogers' death.
"Children have always known Mister Rogers as their 'television friend,' and that relationship doesn't change with his death," PBS stated.
With that, the network said Rogers can be a continuing source of comfort for children.
"Children today have had lots of experience with videos, and they can understand that Mister Rogers made his 'television visits' on videotape so that they can be shown over and over. His continuing presence and his acknowledgment of feelings can remain a source of comfort for them," PBS said.
A producer with the show said it will continue to air in repeats, and that a 2½-hour tribute is scheduled for Thursday night on WQED, the Pittsburgh station that was home to the show for its duration.
Rogers actually produced shows at WQED before "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood," dating back to 1953 with "The Children's Corner."
Expressing His Feelings
In interviews with The Associated Press, Rogers said the greatest gift people can give to others is their "honest self."
Although known for his calm and polite manner, Rogers said, "of course I get angry. Of course, I get sad."
But he said it's important to give children a way of expressing those feelings without hurting themselves or anyone else.
He said it's also important to understand that "somebody who rubs you the wrong way has been rubbed the wrong way many times."
Rogers told AP his heroes are people who help others and the community, saying, "we live in a world in which we need to share responsibility." Remembering Rogers
One of Mr. Rogers' closest neighbors, David Newell is remembering Rogers for his sense of humor.
Newell played mailman Mr. McFeely on the show. He visited Rogers' television home regularly and announced his presence by saying, "speedy delivery."
Newell told the AP radio Thursday that his most cherished memory of Rogers was his sense of humor. He said Rogers was also one of the best communicators to children on television.
The actor said even though Rogers had retired from broadcasting, he was still active, noting that he recently published a book on parenting.
He said Rogers' messages are "suitable for generations to come."
Joe Negri played both the royal handyman in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe and owner of Negri's Music Shop on the show.
He said there was a lot more to Rogers than what people saw.
Negri said Rogers refused to accept shoddy work from performers -- or ad-libbing by guests who may have thought they could slack off during a kids' show.
He also said Rogers enjoyed taping the show as if he were a child himself.
He remembered how the two of them fell into laughter because of the trouble they had trying to set up a tent.
Mr. Rogers Stuck To Simple Message
Mr. Rogers' message remained a simple one throughout the years: he told children to love themselves and others.
As other children's programming went for slick action cartoons, Rogers stayed the same and stuck to his message.
A producer with the show said Rogers always stressed the value of listening.
Rogers' gentle manner made him the butt of some jokes. Eddie Murphy parodied him on "Saturday Night Live" with his "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood" -- a routine Rogers found funny and affectionate.
He Tackled Tough Issues
Rogers wasn't afraid to tackle some tough issues.
In addition to his public service announcements about Sept. 11, Rogers told his young audience during the Persian Gulf War that "all children shall be well taken care of in this neighborhood and beyond -- in times of war and in times of peace."
He asked parents to promise their children they would always be safe.
Rogers was a familiar face to millions of children for decades. Its ratings peaked in 1985-86, when approximately 8 percent of all American households with televisions tuned in.
The show gained a wide audience among children and parents, who appreciated its simple lessons and Rogers' soothing manner. It remained popular through the years, including with children of baby boomers who watched the show growing up.
In addition to his hosting duties, Rogers did much of the puppet work and voices himself. He would also take his audience on a magical trolley ride into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where his puppet creations would interact with each other and adults.
Rogers was born March 28, 1928 in Latrobe, Pa. He married Joanne Byrd in 1952, and the couple remained married until his death. Rogers is also survived by two sons and two grandsons.
One of Rogers' red cardigans hangs in the Smithsonian Institution. Rogers was inducted into Television Hall of Fame in 1999.
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