In the 1960s, the world was a very scary place. There were
riots, political and social upheaval, assassinations and a war that
took thousands of young people to a faraway land, only to send them
back in flag-draped coffins.
Out of this turmoil came a children’s television show that was a
soothing antidote to the frightening world children were bombarded
with on other networks. In later years, when other children’s
programming consisted of 30-minute commercials for Mattel and
Hasbro toys, the little show out of Pittsburgh remained constant
and unchanged.
While other shows featured action-packed cartoons, slick
song-and-dance routines and hosts dressed in outlandish costumes,
Fred Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister, showed up to a
plain set, put on an ordinary cardigan sweater and delivered a
simple message in an honest, unadorned fashion.
“The whole idea,” Rogers said, “is to look at the television
camera and present as much love as you possibly could to a person
who needs it.”
This ingeniously simple formula made “Mister Rogers’
Neighborhood” one of the most influential, successful and beloved
children’s programs in television history. The show was such a
phenomenon that one of Rogers’ cardigan sweaters now hangs in the
Smithsonian’s Museum of American History.
On the set, Rogers was the consummate professional. Cast members
recall that he was serious about quality and would not tolerate
anyone, even guests, taking a laid-back attitude about working on
the show. As a result, Rogers won every major television award for
which he was eligible.
Off the set, family members say that the “Mister Rogers”
character was no act. The character we all grew up with is the same
man they knew and loved. Who you saw was who he was. He was
genuine, and that was Rogers’ most endearing quality. There aren’t
many people like that in the world, especially in the entertainment
business.
In 2002, Rogers was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom,
the highest honor that can be given to a civilian by the U.S.
government.
At the ceremony, President George W. Bush said, “Fred Rogers has
proven that television can soothe the soul and nurture the spirit.”
This was the capstone of awards and accolades that include honorary
degrees from over 40 colleges and universities, countless awards
from numerous television and educational organizations, and
induction into the Television Hall of Fame.
Above all, Rogers was a tireless advocate for children. “Please
think of the children first,” he once said. “If you ever have
anything to do with their entertainment, their food, their toys,
their custody, their childcare, their health care, their
education-listen to the children, learn about them, learn from
them.”
Mr. Rogers, you will be sorely missed.we were always happy to
have a neighbor just like you. We were always happy to visit the
neighborhood with you. So, we’ll make the most of the rest of our
days. On behalf of everyone, I’d just like to say: Right now we are
sad, but we’ll always be glad, you got to be our neighbor.
Tony Odom is a graduate student in the history
department.