Mr. Rogers has left the neigborhood

[kingbunky 3]

from CNN:

'Mister Rogers' dies at age 74

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) --Television host Fred Rogers, better known simply as "Mister Rogers," died Thursday after a brief battle with stomach cancer, according to a spokeswoman for his production company.

Rogers, 74, died at his home in Pittsburgh. He is survived by his wife Joanne Rogers, their two sons and two grandsons, according to his Web site.

Marisa Lynch, who has worked for Family Communications Inc. for nearly 20 years, said she was in shock.

"We just learned about his illness in January," she said. "Luckily, he didn't suffer."

Staff members rushed into work around 2:20 a.m. after hearing that the venerable host of the long-running PBS show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" passed away, Lynch said.

"We're very loyal and dedicated," she said of the employees.

The Web site for Family Communications Inc., the non-profit company that produces the show, issued the following statement:

"We are very sorry to deliver the sad news that Fred Rogers died on February 27, 2003 after a brief battle with stomach cancer. We are grateful for the many people, young and old, who have cared about his work over the years and who continue to appreciate Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on PBS. We hope that you'll join us in celebrating his life by reflecting on his messages and taking them into your everyday lives."

According to the program's Web site, Fred McFeely Rogers was born in 1928 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, 40 miles east of Pittsburgh.

Rogers began developing his ideas for children's programming in the 1950s. He is best known for "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," which began in its early form in 1963 as a show on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Rogers took the idea to the U.S. and in 1967, the first "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" aired on Pittsburgh's WQED in 1967. A year later, PBS picked it up.

The last original "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" aired in 2001, making it PBS's longest-running program ever.

The slow-paced show offered an alternate universe to most of today's quick-edit cartoon children's programming. But on the eve of his final show, Rogers told CNN's Jeff Greenfield he looks at it as more than entertainment; it's a chance to reach young people and give them a foundation for a good life.

"I believe that those of us who are the producers and purveyors of television -- or video games or newspapers or any mass media -- I believe that we are the servants of this nation," Rogers said.

That's why he got into television in the first place.

"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."

Up until the end, the show was taped at WQED, and until the end it started with Rogers donning a cardigan sweater and comfortable shoes as he enters his home in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

Through the years, Rogers featured artists ranging from cellist Yo-Yo Ma to bodybuilder-actor Lou Ferrigno. He dealt with the death of pets and divorce, while teaching children to love themselves and others. His recurring characters included Mr. McFeely and Lady Elaine Fairchilde.

"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" won loads of recognition, including four Emmys and a lifetime achievement award. A cardigan sweater belonging to Rogers hangs in the Smithsonian.

Those sweaters became Rogers' identifying characteristic. He credited his mom for the fashion statement that says, more than anything else, "Won't you be my neighbor?"

"My mother made a sweater a month for as many years as I knew her," Rogers said. "And every Christmas she would give this extended family of ours a sweater.

"She would say, 'What kind do you all want next year?' " said Rogers. "She said, 'I know what kind you want, Freddy. You want the one with the zipper up the front.' "

An ordained Presbyterian minister, Rogers' command of innocence won him thousands of young fans.

"I do think that young children can spot a phony a mile away," he says.

And it also made him the butt of parody by adults like comedian Eddie Murphy, who played his own version of Mister Rogers on "Saturday Night Live."

Rogers knew for a fact that Murphy meant no harm with his humor. In fact, they met once.

"He just put his arms around me and said, 'The real Mister Rogers,' " he said.

On the last show, Rogers entered his home and donned his red zip-up sweater and traded his loafers for a pair of comfy blue sneakers.

The finale ended a weeklong tribute to art, with Rogers leafing through a stack of drawings kids made of the Neighborhood Trolley "to see how different people draw the same thing."

Rogers said he hoped kids who watch it will take it with them as they grow into adults.

"We all long to be lovable and capable of loving," he said. "And whatever we can do through the Neighborhood or anything else to reflect that and to encourage people to be in touch with that, then I think that's our ministry."

In 2002, President George W. Bush presented Rogers with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizing his contribution to the well-being of children and a career in public television that demonstrated the importance of kindness, compassion and learning.

On January 1, 2003, in his last public appearance, Rogers served as a Grand Marshal of the Tournament of Roses Parade, and tossed the coin for the Rose Bowl Game.

"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart."
MB4252 TDS699
killing threads since 2001

[phatcat 0]

I watched him when I was little. Very sad.

[skymedic 0]

[blewaway5 0]

Yeah, even though I was more into transformers and smurfs and what not, Mr' Roger's 'Hood was pretty cool when they'd take that trolley to the land of scary puppets

Truman Sparks for President

[kingbunky 3]

i didn't watch it as a kid (hey, i'm canadian, we had one channel and mr. dressup was on it!), but i did watch it occasionally with my own kids. the part i liked was when they showed the movies about how stuff is manufactured.

"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart."
MB4252 TDS699
killing threads since 2001

[rhino 0]

Godspeed Mr. Rogers,,,

[skygal3 0]

Poor Mr. Rogers. I loved him as a little girl.
Although, I always got the heebie jeebies when he took his shoes off for some reason..

[jfields 0]

I'll miss Mister Rogers. May he live forever in reruns, so my daughter can share the fun. I remember him fondly.

Even though he wasn't young, his loss was far more tragic than the pop/rap stars dying in their twenties of stupid stuff. He spent his whole life entertaining and educating young children with appropriate messages. I wish he could have continued making new shows forever.

[rhino 0]

Do you remember the episode where a blowup doll came out of the closet??

[Muenkel 0]

Ditto what Justin said.

Mr. Rogers was one of the coolest dorks to ever live.

Chris

_________________________________________
Chris

[diverdriver 6]

We have reall lost a great American treasure. One of the good things about this country and its' citizens. Thanks for being such a part of my entire life. Your lessons were never dated or over the head.

*tears

P.S. Say hey to Mr. Muppets Jim Henson. I cried for him too.

[jfields 0]

Quote

one of the coolest dorks to ever live

Dorks, unite!

Well, except Al Gore. He is over the dork-o-meter limit.

[n2skdvn 0]

the land of make believe has lost one great mentor...

--

if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN
my site

[CrazyIvan 0]

Well, he's in a better NEIGHBORHOOD now.

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[misskriss 0]

[happythoughts 0]

His greatest value was that he was non-threatening. The format of the show was quiet. There was no conflict to resolve. Kids were watching his show because it was interesting, not action packed. There is not enough "interesting" around. Cartoons are all action and adventure.

Kids are full of energy and want to be active. It was always amazing to watch kids sit still and listen. Quite a skill he had.

[skybytch 273]

Quote

Thanks for being such a part of my entire life. Your lessons were never dated or over the head.

*tears

P.S. Say hey to Mr. Muppets Jim Henson. I cried for him too.

What he said.

It's a sad one, but it's still a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

[dropdeded 0]

Used to watch him as a kid too.Even in my adult years I have been reminded of him at least once a year.His birthday is(was?) the same day as mine and my mom reminds me of it EVERY year.

Sorry to hear something else thats good in this world is gone .

dropdeded

------------------------------------------
The Dude Abides.
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[Sebazz1 2]

A whole generation of kids, me being one of them grew up with that guy... Rest in Peace Mr. Rogers...

[NightJumper 0]

Thank you Mister Rogers for making the world a better place!

[trilete312 0]

Tis a sad day in the neighborhood.

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Ready, Set, Gooooooo

[slim 0]

now I definatly, don't want to be his neighbor.

RIP buddy!

<<<>>>
A good friend will bail you outta jail... A true friend will be sitting next to you saying "That was fucking awesome!!!'

[cameramonkey 0]

I too grew up watching him. I couldnt help but well up a bit when I heard the news this am on CNN. I havent seen the show in years, but everything about it is permanently etched into my memory. The fish, the stoplight, the waist level sand table in the back yard, and who could forget the neighborhood of makebeleive. *sigh*

I too hope that it is on reruns forever. I want my kids to be able to grow up with such an entertaining and educational show.
I also liked the videos he would show. I think he helped create a market for a few foodtv, discovery, and TLC programs today. I still cant pass a show about how stuff is made to this day.

And as for him not being a phony, I have heard that. I knew a guy that met him in person about 10 years ago. He said that he is exactly like he is on TV. So sweet and gentle it was a little scary.

Thank you so much Fred for all you have done for us and our kids. God Speed, and I hope to really have you as a neighbor one day.

Two wrongs don't make a right, however three lefts DO!

[phatcat 0]

Quote

And as for him not being a phony, I have heard that. I knew a guy that met him in person about 10 years ago. He said that he is exactly like he is on TV. So sweet and gentle it was a little scary.

Fred was a target on some candid camera type show some years back. I can't remember exactly what the joke was, something about his hotel room. He was so nice about the whole thing, he acted EXACTLY like he did on his show, and I felt sorry for him. I think he should have been exempt from practical jokes (and coming from me, that's saying a LOT!)

[jessd 0]

This is sad. However, I didn't watch him too much as a kid. My Dad (a little weird I guess) didn't like how he practically invited everyone in the neighborhood into his house and went to play with little puppets in the land of make believe.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away..."