Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (CBC-PBS 1963-2001, Fred Rogers)

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is an American children’s television series that was created and hosted by namesake Fred Rogers. The series originated in 1963 as Misterogers on CBC Television, and was later debuted in 1966 as Misterogers’ Neighborhood on the regional Eastern Educational Network, followed by its US network debut on February 19, 1968, and it aired on NET and its successor, PBS, until August 31, 2001.

Once installed on PBS Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was the sweet and placid yin to Sesame Street’s hyperkinetic yang. While Sesame Street (which actually premiered a year later) taught letters and numbers, Mister Rogers showed kids the world of imagination, taught them how to deal with life’s problems (anger, jealousy, divorce, losing a pet), and told them they were special.

Kindly and soft-spoken, Fred Rogers was the neighbor everyone wanted. The program had a homey feel, with Mr. Rogers opening each show with his signature song, ‘It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,’ while changing from suit to sweater (many of which were knitted by his mother) and from dress shoes to sneakers.

Guests from around the neighborhood showed up to help teach the day’s lesson, and every show featured a visit to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where King Friday, Queen Sara, Prince Tuesday, Lady Elaine, X the Owl, Henrietta Pussycat, and Daniel Tiger helped each other and their human friends with problems and concerns. Mister Rogers would also take the home viewers along on field trips, visiting factories to see how things were made.

New episodes were created each year and put into rotation with older ones. With sweet songs penned by longtime collaborator John Costa and the naturally good-natured charm of its host, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood won over the hearts of young fans, creating a landmark children’s program that is still with us today.

production details
USA – Canada | CBC – PBS – Family Communications Inc. | x30 minutes | Broadcast 1963 – 31 August 2001

Creator: Fred Rogers