Despite the slow talking drawl, despite the incessant smile, despite the fact that in the real world he might be mistaken for a creepy pedophile, I’d still loved to have had Mr. Rogers as my neighbor. I grew up on the PBS staples of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and Zoom – which each succeeding show for an older audicence than the one before. But even when I was ready for Zoom, I still secretly adored Mr. Rogers and the comforting make-believe surroundings he created.
Of course, being a comedy aficionado, I – along with my Dad – would occasionally lapse into the world of making fun of Mr. Rogers. But goodness, he was an easy target, since he was aiming his message of cooperation, togetherness, friendliness, and love at young children. We may have been ahead of our time a bit, as this was even before Eddie Murphy took on the ghetto role of Mr. Robinson on Saturday Night Live.
But regardless of us, the fun-pokers, Mr. Rogers certainly did a lot of good for a lot of kids over the years. And this is why I felt moved to write him a ‘thoughtful’ letter in December of 1997 and send along a picture for him to sign. He did in fact sign it – returning it on December 10, just eight days after I had sent it – with a very nice inscription, along with a note card. This was effectively the last successful through-the-mail autograph request of 1997.
The death of Fred Rogers in 2003 made me appreciate owning this piece even more…because he was not only a good man with a good message, he was a television icon who will never be replaced.
Autographs of 1997 will continue…
I agree! Even though he seemed different than most, he always sent out a great message to kids and adults alike. We watched him at our house too.
Bev
April 10th, 2010
That is a great keepsake!
He was a good man that honestly became a great role-model for all children…especially those who might not have had such good role-models in their own lives. He could have easily capitalized on the success of the program and its obvious merchandising prospects, but chose not to in order to focus upon children using their imagination and creativity. As you so rightly say, Fred Rogers ‘will never be replaced.’
Dave Chasteen
April 10th, 2010
I agree with Bev and Dave. In the Mr. Rogers role, he actually played himself.
Dad
April 12th, 2010