Fred Rogers

Start watching this, and if you ever watched Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, you'll be hooked as soon as you hear his middle name.



Rogers was born on this date in 1928. His television show, in contrast to the fast-paced contemporary feel of other shows aimed at children, was always comforting and reliable, but also very exploratory. He would show you how, say, crayons were made. What kid (and what adult) doesn't want to know how crayons are made? He would guide you on an airplane so you'd know what to expect when you flew, especially if you were flying alone to visit a separated parent (he lived in the real world). One thing he showed you on that plane was that there were bathrooms, so you wouldn't have to worry about not being able to go during the trip.

I loved this guy, and I loved watching the shows with my daughter when she was little. It was her first television experience. It couldn't have been better, and I thank Fred Rogers for that from the bottom of my heart.

The whole interview from the Archive of American Television is here.