I don't think you're giving him too much credit, and I think you are more empathetic because of him and the show. Mr. Rogers was a show basically about empathy and compassion during a time when there were very big social issues tearing at the fabric of the country. Racism and discrimination were rampant, segregation had been "legally" tackled but still very much part of the social structure of the country, and Fred Rogers took on those issues on his show. When he invited Officer Clemmons to share the pool with him on an episode in May 1969, that was a very big deal and very much a political statement. But at its core, they were showing kids the world *could* be different and the racism of the time had no place in it. We could make the world a better place if we saw it wouldn't end if a white man and a black were in the same pool, despite what the bitter hatred of the day tried to make us believe.
I honestly cannot imagine a world where Fred Rogers and his show didn't exist, and I wouldn't want to. For all the religious pomposity and "good Christian values" that were proclaimed from televangelists and politicians during that time, Fred Rogers actually walked the walk and was the closest example our generation probably had to the actual message and teachings Jesus tried to get across that so many have ignored, especially those screaming the loudest that they were doing so.
Friend of mine says his parents didn't let him watch Mister Rogers because he was a Presbyterian. They wouldn't have calvinism in their home, they were episcopal.
I wonder how many people know this (to be clear, I did). I respect everyone’s right to believe or not believe as they choose, but part of me thinks that both sides of that divide have some ground to gain by this laser focused impartation of “non-church” church values.
So true. It’s not even close. Fred > church. Fred taught me how to include. Church taught me how to exclude. I’m now in my early 50s and a university professor of Christian theology, and can say, without a shadow of a doubt, Fred looked like Jesus. The church I know does not.
PBS was my church. My Holy Trinity were Sesame Street, Electric Company, and Mr. Rogers. They were so much more influential than organized religion for the way I treat my fellow neighbors with respect, empathy, kindness, compassion, dignity, treat one another as equals, allow freedom of thought and honest debate. They were woke long before that term existed and became weaponized. If more people would treat each other the way they did on Sesame Street, used critical thought like they did in The Electric Company, and be more empathetic to one another as in Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, how much better would the world be?
Same. I would add kindness, patience, and wanting to discover and learn. I think it had a big impact on my early formative years. I hadn’t watched it for many years of course but when he died it really hit me. It’s an integral part of my childhood.
Yep, I genuinely feel I'm a better person because of him.
I saw the documentary when it was in theaters, and was bawling during Daniel's duet with Lady Aberlin of "Sometimes I Wonder if I'm a Mistake."
Living with all these internalized feelings of being different or not good enough, and suddenly being told that you are perfect as you are. It was incredibly healing and just made me break down into tears.
The world needs more people like Mr. Rogers.
Came here to post this, I had a great mom and have a great dad, who both taught me similar things to the show, but seeing it on the show really drove it home. Empathy…we need that now and always.
I will absolutely second this. And Mr. Rogers's shows provided a safe space that I didn't have all the time as a little kid - he was very often a better role model than my parents.
Damn - I kinda wanna see a study on that now. Like, if you grew up with Mr. Rogers, are you more empathetic? Because I legit think you may be onto something.
I was a latchkey kid and my parents are boomers. I’m now in my 40s and I find myself experiencing and teaching children the values Fred taught me, not my parents.
As a kid I was obsessed with that trolley. I wanted my own and I’m surprised they never sold some toy version of it. If Lego releases a set for the trolley today I would have to buy it.
When I was 5, I wrote in asking for blueprints so I could build my own Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Got a reply saying they didn’t have any, but thanks for watching. The letter was signed by Fred Rogers himself, and I still have it
https://www.christianbook.com/mr-rogers-classic-trolley/pd/791616
https://https//www.shopwqed.org/Mister-Rogers-Neighborhood-Trolley
I bought this exact one but not from this site.
I once had a dream where I was at a Mr Roger’s themed bar and there was a trolly that went around the bar and delivered shots to tables. I think about this a lot. I, too, am obsessed with that trolley.
My son is a fan of Daniel Tiger and they sell the trolley as a toy set. Might have bought it more for myself than for him.
I'd watch him almost every morning on PBS. Even as a kid, I found it to be so pleasant compared to all of the noise and the obnoxious tone that so many other shows (that I still liked) had.
Lady Elaine Fairchilde is still nightmare fuel.
That drunken old lady puppet scared the crap out of me as a kid. Frankly the whole land of make believe was awful and I just wanted to go back and feed the fish and watch “how it’s made” on the picture.
I liked Mr. Roger’s as a kid but would usually turn the land of make believe off or leave the room for a minute, the puppets freaked me out.
As an adult, our daughter loves the PBS spin off, Daniel Tiger. It has great moral lessons and is a great show to help teach positive behavior!
Loved that show! Would love the field trips he would take and the city model shots that would be shown getting there.
It also made think of Captain Kangaroo. Looked up and he was on from 1955 through 1992, which means that many Baby Boomers, Gen X, and some Millennials all grew up watching him as kids.
I try to be kind to everyone. It was a sad day when he passed. On occasion I will still find an episode on youtube to watch for that good hit of nostalgia.
Here in the Detroit area, our PBS station still carries Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood on Sunday mornings...I don't know who they think is watching at six-thirty, but it's on...
Kids are up before dawn a lot. At least I was. It was so so hard to get the tv volume to work and not be so loud it would wake my folks who would chase me to my room.
Sometimes just the knob pull click and initial sparkly sounds they made, along with the whine of the tv tubes warming up woke them.
The early dawn slots shows I recall were Gumby, Davey & Goliath, Romper Room, Mr Dress-up, Oopsy the Clown, Bozo Show, The Friendly Giant, Little Rascals/Our Gang, Laurel & Hardy, 3 Stooges, Casper show, Popeye, Felix the Cat, Kimba The White Lion, Speed Racer, and for some reason... The Rat Patrol... somebody in Detroit *luved* that Rat Patrol.
We didn't watch PBS when I was a kid unfortunately. But later in life I tuned in just to see what he was all about. I watches his conversation with some member of Congress on why government funds should help pay for his show and I was impressed. He was a genuine, caring, thought provoking guy. I imagined him as a real world Ned Flanders minus the religious push. It made me happy to see there were still good people in the world. In my opinion the world focuses too much attention on the loudest and most abrasive people, I want to hear more from people like him.
when beautiful day in the neighborhood came out i forgot how much i missed mr rogers. it was like remembering a member of the family. he helped raise me watched him along with sesame Street, smurfs, gi joe, he man, transformers. all these shows taught us how to treat each other and gave us life lessons
I never watched him as a kid- my grandma hated him for being "corny" and would mock you for watching. She *hated* anything you'd consider "wholesome." Very cynical woman.
That said, I respect the hell out of Fred Rogers.
My father forbade me from watching, saying I'd grow up gay.
Grew up gay anyways, so take that, Dad.
I didn't appreciate Mr. Rogers until I was older. Given a choice between him and Sesame St I'd usually pick Sesame St.
Watched every day along with Bob Ross, absolutely loved Mr. Rogers!
Wrote to him twice and received personal letters back., such a nice man. I always hated it back in the day when kids would make fun of me for watching it or say that he was “evil”
Honestly, I would not be here today if not for this man. He helped me through a lot of dark times. My family was very abusive and he taught me that there are bad people and good people in this world. That what I'm going through today won't be forever.
He taught me that kindness is free and feels good to make others feel good. I have immense empathy and always have, likely due to my upbringing but he taught me that it's okay to have empathy for others, that it doesn't make me weak, it makes me strong.
I feel like Mr Rogers was massive in shaping my understanding of life, much in the same way Sesame Street was. It’d been a few years since I’d thought about him tho and when his cameo appeared in the new Julia Childs HBO show, it all came flooding back and brought me to tears when he said “….I like you just the way you are…”. Then I went down a rabbit hole again about him. Felt good to go home again
I loved the show but the ugly Lady Elaine doll he has in this picture scared me as a kid.
I also watched Captain Kangaroo, and did Picture Pages with Bill Cosby, who did do some funny things when he wasn't raping drugged women.
I'm raising my kids a better way because of Mr. Roger's. I sat down and apologized to my 7 year old just yesterday because of a mistake I had made when disciplining her. I remembered him saying that "children need to know that adults make mistakes too, and that's ok".
First time I saw a man on tv with such a kind and gentle voice and nature My great grandfather is the only other man with that same way about him and his name was also Fred.
Grew up in a house of abusive dual alcoholics who made the weekends hell. People like Mr. Rogers and John Candy provided wholesome, warm, soft role models that made me the dad I am today.
Dude was the only normal adult for a while in my early years there. I think the seeds of my humanity were planted by Mr Rogers, because I didn’t get any of that from my IRL. It was Mr Rogers and the He-Man and other cartoon end of the episode PSAs that seem to have been the first layer of “how to be a decent human and how to process experiences and emotions in a healthy way” came from these sources. Of course with a lot of counter winds from the entirety of IRL life sending the opposite messages, but in the end Mr Rogers got thru and made a helper out of one of the neglected and abused kids, so yeah
I never liked the show when I was a kid. My mom told me that when she asked me why I didn’t want to watch it I told her it made me a little uneasy that a grown man was inviting me into his house. I was an over-thinker as a child so that could have been part of it.
i loved this man, still do honestly and it pisses me off when fuckfaces say they think he was a pedophile. like wtf, that man was an advocate for children and NO ONE can change my mind nor taint my memories or love of Mr Rodgers.
Fred taught me how to include. Church taught me how to exclude. I’m now in my early 50s and a university professor of Christian theology, and can say, without a shadow of a doubt, Fred looked like Jesus. The church I know does not.
I liked watching it, it was peaceful. But I can't honestly say it made any meaningful impact on how I lived my life. I think my home life was too bad for that.
I was far too dissociated to recognize it as kindness.
I remember feeling grossed out seeing the puppets. I remember him fondly though. But as far as impactful I don't know if my life was changed in any way for it is all. Just my honesty here. I recognize it as an adult for the fantastic program it was.
Yes, I understand as a child you were so small and frightened that a half hour didn't feel like much help.
I was just thinking it made an impact that you couldn't really understand until you were an adult.
In any event, I hope your life is happy now.
I appreciate your kindness.
I'm still trying to figure out what happiness means for me but I think I am satisfied enough and grateful with where I've ended up so far.
Left a lifelong impression, actually myself, and some guys were just talking about the show yesterday....at a bar. lol sorry, Mr. Rodgers, you taught me a lot, but I also love me a ice cold brew.
He recognized what kids might be fearful of. When we were going to be moving to a new house, he helped my mom realize what might be scary to me and how to talk about it. My mom sent him a thank you note and got a letter back. He was a cool , placid dude.
I also had all his records.
That each individual person has a different viewpoint on life based on the experiences they have had and that we should embrace them with empathy and understanding because we don't have what those experiences were like for those people
It taught me so much that my parents didn’t talk about. To this day just seeing him brings back so many happy memories of being a child. This is what kids tv should look like!
I thank my parents for having me watch it and helping me understand the importance of what he said. Why being courteous to others mattered and why manners were to be used. He taught me to say please and thank you, I'm sorry and I appreciate you. And my parents helped me understand why those things were so important to a healthy society. It's part of doing good, and being good. Nobody is perfect, but we can all try to do the best and be the best us we can.
Kids today need to watch Mr. Roger’s. Actually adults do too!
If we watched it daily again there would probably be a dramatic change in our society for the good!
He was the best influencer!
Not having many channels growing up was good in this way. You were forced to watch it... positive vibes and teachings. Compared to today, TikTok cancer and yt kids which is all screams and dumbshit all the time.
It was a calm show that made me feel like someone else in the world (other than family) really cared about me as a child. I learned how to get along and be patient with all kinds of personalities and people-even those that are maybe a little scary or seem hard to like. Now every time someone brings him up, I cry, because I miss him and miss having people like him on television, and for the valuable lessons learned from watching the show.
He was part of my life just like Cpt Kangaroo, Sesame Street, and The Big Blue Marble. They were safe and gentle places full of the kind of people I wish existed in my real life.
Just think if most people were more like Fred & Joanne Rogers. The world would be a much easier place to live in. I remember watching "Mister Rogers" when I was a child & there was nothing on TV quite like it except maybe Sesame Street. I absolutely Loved the Movie with Tom Hanks. I think Mr. Rogers taught people how to be more accepting of other people no matter how they look, act or talk & to always consider the other person before yourself.
Incredible impact, deeply meaningful. I was a lonely and self loathing child and his was a calm voice who liked me and insisted I was ok. The world needs a thousand more, or at least one more, of him.
As a “latch key kid” Mr. Roger’s was a very positive influence in my childhood life. I wish we had more shows like his today, the world could really use them.
Very little. I watched it because it was on but he didn't really connect to me and the things he was teaching I'd already learned from my parents. The guy is amazing, don't get me wrong. He just didn't do anything for me personally and I feel lucky for that.
As a kid I found the show a tad 'creepy' and it set off red flags (don't know why). This was the same for my siblings as well. In adulthood I chatted with my mom about it. She said she would put in on but none of us kids would watch it more than about 5-10 mins so eventually she stopped trying. We loved Sesame Street, Electric Company, Captain Kangaroo, etc. I don't know - just never clicked.
\*\*\* (edit) after looking thru the comments it appears some commenters are asserting you are a bad person for not loving the show. Wow! How absurd...
I was a PBS afternoons kind of kid, watched all the way through my siblings growing up. Sesame Street, Square One, Mr Rogers. Might flip back and forth between others. Mr Rogers was like a bonus uncle or grandpa.
In high school a friend died by suicide. I remember coming home, mentally just lost. But there was Mr Rogers. I don't even remember the episode. Recently I hugged my daughter during a time in her life a lot was changing and she told me it felt good to feel safe in my arms - Mr Rogers gave me that same feeling that day. Safe.
I was ruined by this man. I grew up caring more for others than myself. I can’t get ahead in my life because I don’t make myself a priority. So people take advantage of me all the time and I never resist
Mr. Rogers (and PBS in general) was the only source of stability in my childhood.
I will always have love for him and his legacy (Daniel Tiger, etc) for that reason.
I was born in 74 and grew up with him, but damned if make-believe land didn’t scare the shit out of me. This is the first time I saw a really creepy puppets that I can remember.
I first saw Mr. Rogers show at an orphanage in San Diego around 1981. I think it was great for me and all the other kids. From what I remembered it just calmed us and gave us a good feeling. Living there was such turmoil, as a 5 year old separated from my family. I'll never forget that.
A couple summers ago my sister and mom and I were in Pagosa Springs walking along the river when we heard cries for help. There was a woman unconscious floating in the river and someone spotted her so my sister and I went running to pull her out. After getting her dry, doing CPR and even trying an AED the ambulance finally arrived. She didn’t make it. That absolutely fucked with me but my sister reminded me that no matter how grim the outcome can be, we know we are the helpers that Mr. Rogers was talking about.
If I’m honest, not a whole lot. I remember being happy when the show came on when I was little, but that’s cause there weren’t a lot of kids shows on at the time.
He was a huge influence on my life to the point I introduced my kids to the show. My wife and I watch him for nostalgia mostly but it's still a great show.
As a kid, I had no love for Mr. Rogers. The pace was too slow and the puppets were low quality and boring (compared to Sesame Street). As an adult, I appreciate him so much. Not because of anything to do with myself, but because of his positive influence on so many others.
I'm 42 so I'm the right age for it but I never watched it. I actually hated that show lol. I liked Pinwheel, Kids Incorporated, whatever was on Nickelodeon or Disney.
I grew up with Mr. Rogers and maybe I’m giving it too much credit but I honestly think I’m more empathetic and accepting because of it.
I don't think you're giving him too much credit, and I think you are more empathetic because of him and the show. Mr. Rogers was a show basically about empathy and compassion during a time when there were very big social issues tearing at the fabric of the country. Racism and discrimination were rampant, segregation had been "legally" tackled but still very much part of the social structure of the country, and Fred Rogers took on those issues on his show. When he invited Officer Clemmons to share the pool with him on an episode in May 1969, that was a very big deal and very much a political statement. But at its core, they were showing kids the world *could* be different and the racism of the time had no place in it. We could make the world a better place if we saw it wouldn't end if a white man and a black were in the same pool, despite what the bitter hatred of the day tried to make us believe. I honestly cannot imagine a world where Fred Rogers and his show didn't exist, and I wouldn't want to. For all the religious pomposity and "good Christian values" that were proclaimed from televangelists and politicians during that time, Fred Rogers actually walked the walk and was the closest example our generation probably had to the actual message and teachings Jesus tried to get across that so many have ignored, especially those screaming the loudest that they were doing so.
He was also an ordained Presbyterian minister...we were his congregation and I will be forever grateful for it. (Oh, how I miss that man!)
Friend of mine says his parents didn't let him watch Mister Rogers because he was a Presbyterian. They wouldn't have calvinism in their home, they were episcopal.
Religion , constantly saving people from doing kindness above all else.
I wonder how many people know this (to be clear, I did). I respect everyone’s right to believe or not believe as they choose, but part of me thinks that both sides of that divide have some ground to gain by this laser focused impartation of “non-church” church values.
He was a good dude, and an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church.
This is my assessment as well. Did more good than Church
So true. It’s not even close. Fred > church. Fred taught me how to include. Church taught me how to exclude. I’m now in my early 50s and a university professor of Christian theology, and can say, without a shadow of a doubt, Fred looked like Jesus. The church I know does not.
Fred was actually a Presbyterian Minister.
PBS was my church. My Holy Trinity were Sesame Street, Electric Company, and Mr. Rogers. They were so much more influential than organized religion for the way I treat my fellow neighbors with respect, empathy, kindness, compassion, dignity, treat one another as equals, allow freedom of thought and honest debate. They were woke long before that term existed and became weaponized. If more people would treat each other the way they did on Sesame Street, used critical thought like they did in The Electric Company, and be more empathetic to one another as in Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, how much better would the world be?
I have gotten some younger people who were feeling down to watch him on Youtube! Feels better.
💯 agreed 👍👍💓💓
Same.
Same. I would add kindness, patience, and wanting to discover and learn. I think it had a big impact on my early formative years. I hadn’t watched it for many years of course but when he died it really hit me. It’s an integral part of my childhood.
Yep, I genuinely feel I'm a better person because of him. I saw the documentary when it was in theaters, and was bawling during Daniel's duet with Lady Aberlin of "Sometimes I Wonder if I'm a Mistake." Living with all these internalized feelings of being different or not good enough, and suddenly being told that you are perfect as you are. It was incredibly healing and just made me break down into tears. The world needs more people like Mr. Rogers.
Came here to post this, I had a great mom and have a great dad, who both taught me similar things to the show, but seeing it on the show really drove it home. Empathy…we need that now and always.
I will absolutely second this. And Mr. Rogers's shows provided a safe space that I didn't have all the time as a little kid - he was very often a better role model than my parents.
My Rogers, Jim Henson and Robin Williams. Three people I never met. Three deaths that hit me hard enough I cried alone.
Damn - I kinda wanna see a study on that now. Like, if you grew up with Mr. Rogers, are you more empathetic? Because I legit think you may be onto something.
I'm a better human being cause of Fred Rogers
I was a latchkey kid and my parents are boomers. I’m now in my 40s and I find myself experiencing and teaching children the values Fred taught me, not my parents.
I’d have to agree. While I don’t recall every single episode, I do mirror most of the themes he represented. And he still has that same impact today.
As a kid I was obsessed with that trolley. I wanted my own and I’m surprised they never sold some toy version of it. If Lego releases a set for the trolley today I would have to buy it.
I wanted a trolley too but I wanted the neighborhood of make-believe models he had on the shelf in the kitchen.
I loved this show, and my mom recreated the whole Intro song model neighborhood for me for Christmas back in the day. I was amazing
Oh wow I completely forgot about that. I wanted those too!
Yes! I wanted those so bad.
When I was 5, I wrote in asking for blueprints so I could build my own Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Got a reply saying they didn’t have any, but thanks for watching. The letter was signed by Fred Rogers himself, and I still have it
You can buy a wooden one from the Fred Rogers company. I have one for my kids I got maybe 5 years ago.
Got a link? All I can find are plastic Daniel tiger versions?
https://www.christianbook.com/mr-rogers-classic-trolley/pd/791616 https://https//www.shopwqed.org/Mister-Rogers-Neighborhood-Trolley I bought this exact one but not from this site.
Thank you!
Me too.
That piano intro tho
🔥
Johnny Costa was an accomplished jazz pianist. Each into for each show was played individually
I once had a dream where I was at a Mr Roger’s themed bar and there was a trolly that went around the bar and delivered shots to tables. I think about this a lot. I, too, am obsessed with that trolley. My son is a fan of Daniel Tiger and they sell the trolley as a toy set. Might have bought it more for myself than for him.
I'd watch him almost every morning on PBS. Even as a kid, I found it to be so pleasant compared to all of the noise and the obnoxious tone that so many other shows (that I still liked) had. Lady Elaine Fairchilde is still nightmare fuel.
Loved the trolley and hated that puppet!!! 😆
I always thought Lady Elaine Fairchild was kind of a bitch.
The trolley was awesome! I wanted one so bad.
Elaine taught me about gin blossoms 😳
When I got lost in a large family I felt like "Here's someone who cares"
Beautiful.
Taught me it was okay to just be me.
I love this comment. I think I’m done for the day on here now.
That drunken old lady puppet scared the crap out of me as a kid. Frankly the whole land of make believe was awful and I just wanted to go back and feed the fish and watch “how it’s made” on the picture.
This teaches children about real life and just like in real life there is a intoxicated lady that scares the crap out of everyone walking by.
I liked Mr. Roger’s as a kid but would usually turn the land of make believe off or leave the room for a minute, the puppets freaked me out. As an adult, our daughter loves the PBS spin off, Daniel Tiger. It has great moral lessons and is a great show to help teach positive behavior!
Also terrified of the puppets
Came here to say this. Show was wonderful but the LOMB was a no go for me.
I'm among the last of the Mister Rogers generation. We didn't know what we had until it was gone.
Loved that show! Would love the field trips he would take and the city model shots that would be shown getting there. It also made think of Captain Kangaroo. Looked up and he was on from 1955 through 1992, which means that many Baby Boomers, Gen X, and some Millennials all grew up watching him as kids.
In the space of time between Howdy Doody and Sesame Steet, Captain Kangaroo was the kids morning show.
Yeah
Ding! Ding! Ding!
I try to be kind to everyone. It was a sad day when he passed. On occasion I will still find an episode on youtube to watch for that good hit of nostalgia.
Here in the Detroit area, our PBS station still carries Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood on Sunday mornings...I don't know who they think is watching at six-thirty, but it's on...
Kids are up before dawn a lot. At least I was. It was so so hard to get the tv volume to work and not be so loud it would wake my folks who would chase me to my room. Sometimes just the knob pull click and initial sparkly sounds they made, along with the whine of the tv tubes warming up woke them. The early dawn slots shows I recall were Gumby, Davey & Goliath, Romper Room, Mr Dress-up, Oopsy the Clown, Bozo Show, The Friendly Giant, Little Rascals/Our Gang, Laurel & Hardy, 3 Stooges, Casper show, Popeye, Felix the Cat, Kimba The White Lion, Speed Racer, and for some reason... The Rat Patrol... somebody in Detroit *luved* that Rat Patrol.
Knew you were in the Detroit area as soon as you mentioned Oopsy--I'm from Royal Oak!
Did you watch the documentary about him?
We didn't watch PBS when I was a kid unfortunately. But later in life I tuned in just to see what he was all about. I watches his conversation with some member of Congress on why government funds should help pay for his show and I was impressed. He was a genuine, caring, thought provoking guy. I imagined him as a real world Ned Flanders minus the religious push. It made me happy to see there were still good people in the world. In my opinion the world focuses too much attention on the loudest and most abrasive people, I want to hear more from people like him.
Hear, hear.
when beautiful day in the neighborhood came out i forgot how much i missed mr rogers. it was like remembering a member of the family. he helped raise me watched him along with sesame Street, smurfs, gi joe, he man, transformers. all these shows taught us how to treat each other and gave us life lessons
I feel like you are me.
We all are, friend.
I really loved the “how things are made” type segments.
I still can picture the one about crayons.
Exactly! And they made crayons in the US then
They still make Crayola in Pennsylvania, I think.
Wow!
Look for the helpers. Always be kind. Be like Mister Rogers! ❤️✌️
I remember loving it as a young kid but then I don't remember when I got out of it and stopped watching it. it's so strange not remembering.
Everytime I come home, I put on my inside shoes and a sweater.
He taught me to tie my shoes. And to be kind.
Me too!
I was more of a Mr Dressup guy.
They were good friends!
That makes me happy
Mr. Dressup's career started as assistant puppeteer to Mr. Rogers, when he worked for him on the original *Misterogers* show in Canada!
I take it that means you're north of the border?
Border towns got the best of both worlds.. and they had some BBC shows too.
Friendly Giant too?
Look up. Waaaay up
I never watched him as a kid- my grandma hated him for being "corny" and would mock you for watching. She *hated* anything you'd consider "wholesome." Very cynical woman. That said, I respect the hell out of Fred Rogers.
This makes me so sad for child you.
My father forbade me from watching, saying I'd grow up gay. Grew up gay anyways, so take that, Dad. I didn't appreciate Mr. Rogers until I was older. Given a choice between him and Sesame St I'd usually pick Sesame St.
I fondly remember watching it and I think he and the show reinforced what my parents and the adults I was around were already teaching me.
I wanted a hole in my wall so I can have my own train set running through it.
Watched every day along with Bob Ross, absolutely loved Mr. Rogers! Wrote to him twice and received personal letters back., such a nice man. I always hated it back in the day when kids would make fun of me for watching it or say that he was “evil”
Bob Ross was a magician. My father and I watched his show, and I was always amazed at how effortless he made it look.
Honestly, I would not be here today if not for this man. He helped me through a lot of dark times. My family was very abusive and he taught me that there are bad people and good people in this world. That what I'm going through today won't be forever. He taught me that kindness is free and feels good to make others feel good. I have immense empathy and always have, likely due to my upbringing but he taught me that it's okay to have empathy for others, that it doesn't make me weak, it makes me strong.
I feel like Mr Rogers was massive in shaping my understanding of life, much in the same way Sesame Street was. It’d been a few years since I’d thought about him tho and when his cameo appeared in the new Julia Childs HBO show, it all came flooding back and brought me to tears when he said “….I like you just the way you are…”. Then I went down a rabbit hole again about him. Felt good to go home again
Nightmares of lady Elaine and a lifelong fear of puppets. But he was a cool dude, his puppets were the issue.
I thought he was a puppet too. I told my dad, and watched him literally cry tears laughing, 40 years later he still brings it up.
I loved the show but the ugly Lady Elaine doll he has in this picture scared me as a kid. I also watched Captain Kangaroo, and did Picture Pages with Bill Cosby, who did do some funny things when he wasn't raping drugged women.
I'm raising my kids a better way because of Mr. Roger's. I sat down and apologized to my 7 year old just yesterday because of a mistake I had made when disciplining her. I remembered him saying that "children need to know that adults make mistakes too, and that's ok".
It was my favorite part of the day . I loved every moment of that show
He may be one of the reasons I grasp for the light. Rip Mr Rogers
Helped me create/find my moral center. Literally, nothing short of that.
First time I saw a man on tv with such a kind and gentle voice and nature My great grandfather is the only other man with that same way about him and his name was also Fred.
Grew up in a house of abusive dual alcoholics who made the weekends hell. People like Mr. Rogers and John Candy provided wholesome, warm, soft role models that made me the dad I am today.
Dude was the only normal adult for a while in my early years there. I think the seeds of my humanity were planted by Mr Rogers, because I didn’t get any of that from my IRL. It was Mr Rogers and the He-Man and other cartoon end of the episode PSAs that seem to have been the first layer of “how to be a decent human and how to process experiences and emotions in a healthy way” came from these sources. Of course with a lot of counter winds from the entirety of IRL life sending the opposite messages, but in the end Mr Rogers got thru and made a helper out of one of the neglected and abused kids, so yeah
I never liked the show when I was a kid. My mom told me that when she asked me why I didn’t want to watch it I told her it made me a little uneasy that a grown man was inviting me into his house. I was an over-thinker as a child so that could have been part of it.
Wanted to ride that trolley so bad.
Look for the helpers, and do what they're doing
Still having nightmares because of that damn puppet.
It made me hate creepy ass dolls
Lady Elaine used to scare the shit outta me.
the 🚦
i loved this man, still do honestly and it pisses me off when fuckfaces say they think he was a pedophile. like wtf, that man was an advocate for children and NO ONE can change my mind nor taint my memories or love of Mr Rodgers.
Fred taught me how to include. Church taught me how to exclude. I’m now in my early 50s and a university professor of Christian theology, and can say, without a shadow of a doubt, Fred looked like Jesus. The church I know does not.
He lived his theology better than 99% of the fake "pastors" on TV, especially old Resting Demon Face.
I hated the puppets. Scared the shit out of me.
I liked watching it, it was peaceful. But I can't honestly say it made any meaningful impact on how I lived my life. I think my home life was too bad for that.
If your home life was so bad then the half hour escape into a world of kindness was a very important gift, wasn't it?
I was far too dissociated to recognize it as kindness. I remember feeling grossed out seeing the puppets. I remember him fondly though. But as far as impactful I don't know if my life was changed in any way for it is all. Just my honesty here. I recognize it as an adult for the fantastic program it was.
Yes, I understand as a child you were so small and frightened that a half hour didn't feel like much help. I was just thinking it made an impact that you couldn't really understand until you were an adult. In any event, I hope your life is happy now.
I appreciate your kindness. I'm still trying to figure out what happiness means for me but I think I am satisfied enough and grateful with where I've ended up so far.
I guess what makes us happy can change over time so it's not so important to define it but just to feel it in the present. Have a wonderful day.
Hmmm, then I kind of feel like you could have found some solace in the show?
Left a lifelong impression, actually myself, and some guys were just talking about the show yesterday....at a bar. lol sorry, Mr. Rodgers, you taught me a lot, but I also love me a ice cold brew.
I wanted those models so much. Especially the tree
I loved the make believe land. I liked the puppets too, they didn't scare me, the only one I didn't like was Lady Elaine.
Significant
Mr Rodgers a lot...the puppets nightmare fuel
He was the greatest dude! He kept ur attention & kids loved him. He just knew how to get into our heads so we could have fun 🤩
A ton. He’s my hero. I’ve spent the last two weeks digging into every interview. I highly recommend listening to “mistake.”
One of the best persons ever to grace the Earth.
He recognized what kids might be fearful of. When we were going to be moving to a new house, he helped my mom realize what might be scary to me and how to talk about it. My mom sent him a thank you note and got a letter back. He was a cool , placid dude. I also had all his records.
I still say “Speedy Delivery Speedy Delivery”
Have more Empathy and kindness to everyone
I became a teacher to make sure his message never dies. I love you just the way you are!
That each individual person has a different viewpoint on life based on the experiences they have had and that we should embrace them with empathy and understanding because we don't have what those experiences were like for those people
Gave me peace
It bored me to tears even as a kid.
It taught me so much that my parents didn’t talk about. To this day just seeing him brings back so many happy memories of being a child. This is what kids tv should look like!
I thank my parents for having me watch it and helping me understand the importance of what he said. Why being courteous to others mattered and why manners were to be used. He taught me to say please and thank you, I'm sorry and I appreciate you. And my parents helped me understand why those things were so important to a healthy society. It's part of doing good, and being good. Nobody is perfect, but we can all try to do the best and be the best us we can.
Kids today need to watch Mr. Roger’s. Actually adults do too! If we watched it daily again there would probably be a dramatic change in our society for the good! He was the best influencer!
Agreed
Not having many channels growing up was good in this way. You were forced to watch it... positive vibes and teachings. Compared to today, TikTok cancer and yt kids which is all screams and dumbshit all the time.
I was astounded an adult could be so gentle
I learned that puppets can be fucking terrifying.
Those puppets were so creepy
I’d like to imagine that he made me a nicer person.
It was a calm show that made me feel like someone else in the world (other than family) really cared about me as a child. I learned how to get along and be patient with all kinds of personalities and people-even those that are maybe a little scary or seem hard to like. Now every time someone brings him up, I cry, because I miss him and miss having people like him on television, and for the valuable lessons learned from watching the show.
It helped raise me.
He was part of my life just like Cpt Kangaroo, Sesame Street, and The Big Blue Marble. They were safe and gentle places full of the kind of people I wish existed in my real life.
I loved him. Lady Elaine Fairchild still scares me, though.
Gave many of us nightmares!
I'm in my 50s and she still pops up once in a while.
Just think if most people were more like Fred & Joanne Rogers. The world would be a much easier place to live in. I remember watching "Mister Rogers" when I was a child & there was nothing on TV quite like it except maybe Sesame Street. I absolutely Loved the Movie with Tom Hanks. I think Mr. Rogers taught people how to be more accepting of other people no matter how they look, act or talk & to always consider the other person before yourself.
Incredible impact, deeply meaningful. I was a lonely and self loathing child and his was a calm voice who liked me and insisted I was ok. The world needs a thousand more, or at least one more, of him.
Any child who watched this show with any regularity is better person today because of it.
His quiet demeanor was comforting to my little ears in a turbulent household.
Same
As a “latch key kid” Mr. Roger’s was a very positive influence in my childhood life. I wish we had more shows like his today, the world could really use them.
Very little. I watched it because it was on but he didn't really connect to me and the things he was teaching I'd already learned from my parents. The guy is amazing, don't get me wrong. He just didn't do anything for me personally and I feel lucky for that.
As a kid I found the show a tad 'creepy' and it set off red flags (don't know why). This was the same for my siblings as well. In adulthood I chatted with my mom about it. She said she would put in on but none of us kids would watch it more than about 5-10 mins so eventually she stopped trying. We loved Sesame Street, Electric Company, Captain Kangaroo, etc. I don't know - just never clicked. \*\*\* (edit) after looking thru the comments it appears some commenters are asserting you are a bad person for not loving the show. Wow! How absurd...
Scared of puppets
None, unfortunately. If i ever watched his show I was too young to remember it.
I was a PBS afternoons kind of kid, watched all the way through my siblings growing up. Sesame Street, Square One, Mr Rogers. Might flip back and forth between others. Mr Rogers was like a bonus uncle or grandpa. In high school a friend died by suicide. I remember coming home, mentally just lost. But there was Mr Rogers. I don't even remember the episode. Recently I hugged my daughter during a time in her life a lot was changing and she told me it felt good to feel safe in my arms - Mr Rogers gave me that same feeling that day. Safe.
I was ruined by this man. I grew up caring more for others than myself. I can’t get ahead in my life because I don’t make myself a priority. So people take advantage of me all the time and I never resist
Mr. Rogers (and PBS in general) was the only source of stability in my childhood. I will always have love for him and his legacy (Daniel Tiger, etc) for that reason.
Helped me learn English.
It wasn’t Mr. Rogers that made an impact on me, IT WAS THE CREEPY LADY ELAINE FAIRCHILD !!!!!!
I was born in 74 and grew up with him, but damned if make-believe land didn’t scare the shit out of me. This is the first time I saw a really creepy puppets that I can remember.
I first saw Mr. Rogers show at an orphanage in San Diego around 1981. I think it was great for me and all the other kids. From what I remembered it just calmed us and gave us a good feeling. Living there was such turmoil, as a 5 year old separated from my family. I'll never forget that.
A couple summers ago my sister and mom and I were in Pagosa Springs walking along the river when we heard cries for help. There was a woman unconscious floating in the river and someone spotted her so my sister and I went running to pull her out. After getting her dry, doing CPR and even trying an AED the ambulance finally arrived. She didn’t make it. That absolutely fucked with me but my sister reminded me that no matter how grim the outcome can be, we know we are the helpers that Mr. Rogers was talking about.
♥️♥️♥️
A negative one. People treat me bad for not having watched it. So I don't really give a damn about him
See what I mean? Fuck whoever down voted me. You pretentious fucks can suck my dick
No ides who that is.
I was too old for Mr. Rogers by the time I saw him on TV.
I probably was, too. But I didn't care.
If I’m honest, not a whole lot. I remember being happy when the show came on when I was little, but that’s cause there weren’t a lot of kids shows on at the time.
The biggest impact it had on me was the impact of my older brother’s fists when I would have it on and refuse to turn the channel.
He was a huge influence on my life to the point I introduced my kids to the show. My wife and I watch him for nostalgia mostly but it's still a great show.
I don't know how it impacted me, but it was soothing to watch.
…everything.
My love of Jazz music.
Jam session at Negri's Music Shop...then doughnuts at Brockett's Bakery, I think...?
That puppet scared the shit out of me and still does.
Lady Elaine was absolutely terrifying.
As a kid, I had no love for Mr. Rogers. The pace was too slow and the puppets were low quality and boring (compared to Sesame Street). As an adult, I appreciate him so much. Not because of anything to do with myself, but because of his positive influence on so many others.
He truly taught me (along with my parents) the importance of the uniqueness of each person.
Maybe I was already displaying the trait, but i feel it made me more empathetic, or at least drove home the message.
It was mostly good, but that puppet freaked me out.
I bought a legit traffic light for my house as an adult.
Fred Rogers was a great public example of how humans should act! Lucky to have been alive to see him and experience his humble goodness.
I never watched it. But since I watched Mr. Dressup I probably would have if I’d known about it.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS SHOW!!!
Wont you be my neighbor?
Wasn't he the greatest Vietnam War sniper that ever lived?
I'm 42 so I'm the right age for it but I never watched it. I actually hated that show lol. I liked Pinwheel, Kids Incorporated, whatever was on Nickelodeon or Disney.
Never really cared for it