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   Mr. Rogers rests in peace

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Topic: Mr. Rogers rests in peace (Read 230 times)

Addams
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Mr. Rogers rests in peace
« on: Feb 27^th, 2003, 6:56am »

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story.news.yahoo.com/news...t_rogers_2

Fred Rogers, host of `Mister Rogers' Neighborhood', dies of cancer at 74
36 minutes ago

By TODD SPANGLER, Associated Press Writer

PITTSBURGH - Fred Rogers, who gently invited millions of children to be his neighbor as host of the public television show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" for more than 30 years, died of cancer early Thursday. He was 74.

Rogers died at his Pittsburgh home, said family spokesman David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on the show. Rogers had been diagnosed with stomach cancer sometime after the holidays, Newell said.

From 1968 to 2000, Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister, produced the show at Pittsburgh public television station WQED. The final new episode, which was taped in December 2000, aired in August 2001, though PBS affiliates continue to air back episodes.

Rogers 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," as he donned sneakers and a zip-up cardigan.

His message remained a simple one throughout the years, telling his viewers to love themselves and others. On each show, he would 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 did much of the puppet work and voices himself.

The show gained a wide audience among children and parents who appreciate its simple lessons and Rogers' soothing manner.

Rogers taught children how to share, how to deal with anger and even how not to fear the bathtub by assuring them they'll never go down the drain.

During the Persian Gulf War (news - web sites), Rogers told youngsters that "all children shall be well taken care of in this neighborhood and beyond — in times of war and in times of peace," and he asked parents to promise their children they would always be safe.

The series remained popular through the years, including with children of baby boomers who watched the show growing up. Its ratings peaked in 1985-86 when approximately 8 percent of all U.S. households with televisions tuned in. By the 1999-2000 season, viewership had dropped to about 2.7 percent, or 3.6 million people.

One of Rogers' red sweaters hangs in the Smithsonian Institution (news - web sites).

As other children's programming opted for slick action cartoons, Rogers stayed the same and stuck to his message.

"It looks like nothing much happens," Hedda Sharapan, an associate producer with the show, said in 2001. "Listening has been one of the main focus points."

Rogers was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1962 with a charge to continue his work with children and families through television.

He studied early childhood development at the University of Pittsburgh's graduate school and consulted for decades with the late Dr. Margaret McFarland, an eminent child development expert at the university. The show examined the tribulations of childhood, including anger, fear, even a visit to the dentist.

At a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the show in 1993, Rogers said, "It's not the honors and not the titles and not the power that is of ultimate importance. It's what resides inside."

Off the set, Rogers was much like his television persona. He swam daily, read voraciously and listened to Beethoven. He once volunteered at a state prison in Pittsburgh and helped set up a playroom there for children visiting their parents.

Rogers was an unseen puppeteer in "The Children's Corner," a local show he and Josie Carey launched at WQED in 1954. In seven years of unscripted, live television on the show, he developed many of the puppets used in "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," including King Friday XIII, Daniel Striped Tiger and Curious X the Owl.

Rogers accepted an offer to develop his own 15-minute show in Canada. He brought the show, called "Misterogers," back to Pittsburgh and in February 1968 it made its public broadcasting debut.

Rogers' gentle manner was the butt of some comedian's jokes. Eddie Murphy parodied him on "Saturday Night Live (news - Y! TV)" in the 80's with his "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood," a routine Rogers found funny and affectionate.

Rogers is survived by his wife, Joanne, a concert pianist; two sons and two grandsons.

« Last Edit: Feb 27^th, 2003, 6:58am by Addams »

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Irishlass
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Re: Mr. Rogers rests in peace
« Reply #1 on: Feb 27^th, 2003, 9:36am »

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It is a sad day in the Neighborhood today. Cry

Mr. Rogers contributed so much to children's television. My girls grew up watching his show and I have to admit, I'd sneak a peek now and then. He instilled the love of self and others in all who watched his show.

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UkraineMom
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Re: Mr. Rogers rests in peace
« Reply #2 on: Feb 27^th, 2003, 10:03am »

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What a sad day for america...

any one under 40 pretty much grew up watching this wonderful and carring man... love and prayers to his family

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MzWings
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Re: Mr. Rogers rests in peace
« Reply #3 on: Feb 27^th, 2003, 8:47pm »

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True - UKmom. That "under 40" would include both my "kids".

He started something many years ago, in that he spoke with the children about bad things happening in the world and how it was okay for the kids to ask questions about it. One thing that always impressed me was that he would assure the children that whatever bad was happening in the world, it wasn't their fault. And that it was ok to ask what was wrong.

MrR will be sorely missed in the neighborhood.

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