Mister Rogers

[giza]

Mister Rogers giving testimony before Congress from when Nixon wanted to slash the budget for PBS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sd7TcVH670

Wow. Just wow. Why the hell can't we have more shows like Mister Rogers on TV these days?

Thanks, balinares.

Comments

[nius.livejournal.com]

I'll give another vote for Wow.

[balinares.livejournal.com]

Why the hell can't we have more men like him? There is something about this guy that humbles me deeply. He's... good, simply.

[giza.livejournal.com]

Because human nature dictates that be self-centered, short-sighted, and greedy.

One could argue that Mister Rogers just isn't human!

[balinares.livejournal.com]

Well then, NEITHER ARE YOU, you bipedal feline you! ;)

[giza.livejournal.com]

Woohoo!

[sinha-lion.livejournal.com]

A greater influence there never was on children. Mr. Rogers did so much in the efforts of children. He got the $20 million for public broadcasting, gave testimony on behalf of a now-common invention: the VCR, and so much more.

One story that I found on Wikipedia that I just absolutely loved, which is a great testimony to his influence.

"On the eve of the announcement that Mister Rogers' Neighborhood would cease production of new episodes, TV Guide interviewed Rogers and led the story with an anecdote. Apparently, Rogers had been driving the same car for years, an old second-hand Impala. Then it was stolen from its parking spot near the WQED studio. Rogers filed a police report, the story was picked up by local news outlets, and general shock swept across town. Within 48 hours the car was back in the spot where he left it, along with a note saying 'If we'd known it was yours, we never would have taken it!'"

Now THAT really says something about the guy!

[nemetfox.livejournal.com]

Fred Rogers and his old partner Ernie Coombs are undoubtedly two of my biggest early childhood influences.

People have been raising their kids with television for decades now. It's not a new thing. But when we had programs like Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Mr. Dressup to raise us, teaching us to be individuals, treat each other with respect and dignity, indulge our imaginations and above all else enjoy life, it was good.

It's rare to find people who are educators first, entertainers second, and yet succeed so stunningly at both. And the eloquence Rogers spoke with in that clip was wonderful.

That man could have conquered the world with a smile and a song.