On September 1, 2008, PBS permanently stopped airing episodes of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Granted the shows have probably become somewhat-outdated, the lessons taught were and will always be universal. Rogers stopped making episodes in 2001 after 998 episodes (why wouldn’t he just go for the full 1000?), but re-runs have regularly aired since. I’m sure I learned to tie my shoes by watching the show, as have many people born the past 40 years. It’s a shame that little kids growing up today are clueless at to what they’re missing.
Not only is it a shame for little kids, but it’s a shame for Pittsburgh. The television show represented our little city at such a high degree. WQED, the station based in Oakland and the country’s first community-sponsored television station, was the original broadcaster of the show shortly before it moved to PBS. The show filmed in Pittsburgh throughout its television run. Most (if not all) of the cast was made up of prominent Pittsburgh figures. Rogers himself even taught at local universities and churches, and he took part in various local charities.
Read a little bit of biographical information and you’ll surely be impressed. He
was one hell of a guy. He did no commercial endorsements of any kind and only supported non-profit organizations. In 1979 he spoke openly about his support of the VCR, for the product was then a controversial issue due to copyright infringement laws (much like MP3s are today). Rogers even spoke at the trial, Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, where it was found legal for consumers to record television shows/movies onto a VHS tape, mainly because of his testimony. He also helped raise federal funding for public television by making a speech to the high courts. He helped children deal with loss after the 9/11 attacks. More than 40 honorary degrees and countless lifetime achievement awards were given to him for his work. He was even presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom a year before his death, and a red sweater is on display in the Smithsonian.
Not only is it a shame for little kids, but it’s a shame for Pittsburgh. The television show represented our little city at such a high degree. WQED, the station based in Oakland and the country’s first community-sponsored television station, was the original broadcaster of the show shortly before it moved to PBS. The show filmed in Pittsburgh throughout its television run. Most (if not all) of the cast was made up of prominent Pittsburgh figures. Rogers himself even taught at local universities and churches, and he took part in various local charities.
Read a little bit of biographical information and you’ll surely be impressed. He
was one hell of a guy. He did no commercial endorsements of any kind and only supported non-profit organizations. In 1979 he spoke openly about his support of the VCR, for the product was then a controversial issue due to copyright infringement laws (much like MP3s are today). Rogers even spoke at the trial, Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, where it was found legal for consumers to record television shows/movies onto a VHS tape, mainly because of his testimony. He also helped raise federal funding for public television by making a speech to the high courts. He helped children deal with loss after the 9/11 attacks. More than 40 honorary degrees and countless lifetime achievement awards were given to him for his work. He was even presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom a year before his death, and a red sweater is on display in the Smithsonian. 
What I like most about the guy is that he totally practiced what he preached. He addressed complex issues on his show like war, death, anger, and poverty, and would use the same dialogue in real-life. He never talked down on anyone. The whole reason he entered the television business wasn’t for fame or popularity reasons: "I got into television because I hated it so," he said. "And I thought there was some way of using this fabulous instrument to be of nurture to those who would watch and listen."
If he ever ran for any public office, I would hate to be the person running against him, for no dirt could be found on Fred Rogers. No one could say anything negative about this guy! He was a friend to everybody, and everyone knew this. For example, on an outing with a grandkid in 1990, Rogers’ car was stolen from its parking spot in Oakland. After the local news reported the incident and the thief realized whose car he stole, the car was returned to Roger’s home unharmed with an apology note.
Mr. Rogers was born in Pittsburgh and completed much of his legendary work in Pittsburgh. He died in Pittsburgh five years ago, so this city certainly holds the dear responsibility of keeping his name alive so that twenty years from now, kids don’t think of him as a geezer in a sweater but as a guy who practiced what he preached more so than probably any public figure the past 30 years. I place him alongside Walt Disney and Jim Henson as guys who accomplished a lot for our country by proving that entertainment can really make a difference in young people’s lives.
The Mister Rogers Dinosaur in front of WQED Studios in Pittsburgh.
