Crack on him all you want, but you’ve gotta admit one thing…
The man is the most sincere person on Earth.
I just caught him on the Today Show. He shot his final daily show last week and is embarking on a couple of new projects which he is promoting.
The neighborhood just isn’t gonna be the same…
My kids were never big Mr. Rogers fans - he’s just a little too laid back and touchy-feely for us.
But I couldn’t agree more with what you say. He’s never compromised his principles. Through his characters, schmaltzy as they may be, he’s addressed the fears and concerns of small children in an honest and straightforward way that was never permitted on network TV. It has always been clear that he respects children - a rarity among adults.
I can’t think of too many people who, if I met them walking down the street would make me feel so emotional that I would cry, but he’s definitely one of them. I grew up with him. He’s almost magical to me. I truly believe that he’s one of the most sincere and beautiful members of the human race.
I had a teacher in High School who said that she was babysat by Mr Rogers when she was real young. don’t know if it’s true or not though. I didn’t watch to much of him though, I think he scared me! 
Mr. Rogers is a highly respected man at my house. As was said, he doesn’t compromise on his morals, and seems honest to a fault. And I just love it when he goes to factories to see how things are made. Mr. McFeely, OTOH, is just creepy.
When I was a teenager, I mocked him mercilessly.
When my kids were young, I realized how wonderful he is. We could indeed use more like him.
I watched Mr. Rogers as a kid. From what I remember it was a great show. I was only 4 or 5 at the time so my memory is kinda hazy.
I met Mr Rogers at a bad age – I think I was 13 or 14. Not young enough or old enough to really apperciate it.
Same here… watching my daughter watch his show gave me all kinds of warm fuzzies. Kinda sorta makes me wish I was 30 years younger… well, not really… 
I used to catch Mr. Rogers in the afternoon when I was in my early teens. I dug him, even though I still wish he’d get rid of those awful curtains in the window by his door. Damn, those things are obnoxious!
I agree with ChiefScott. We can crack on him for being goofy but there isn’t an insincere bone in that man’s body. I seem to recall he was a Presbyterian minister; I think if all religious folk (especially Christians) were like Fred this world would be a much nicer place.
Can’t wait to see what projects he’ll be working on. I know he’s in his seventies but I do hope he’s around and productive for a lot longer.
I saw Mr. Rogers live when I was a little Kvallulf. Trolley was there as well, but no Mr. McFeely or Purplepanda.
I forgot, in addition to meeting ol Fred, The guy who played PurplePanda was the organ player at a church my parents went to for a while.
My favorite Mr. Rogers related memory is one of my daughter’s first visits to the dentist. She was 3 at the time. They kept explaining everything very carefully so that she wouldn’t be scared and she’d say, “That’s the way they did it when Mr. Rogers went to the dentist.” or “That’s not the way they did it when Mr. Rogers went to the dentist.”
OMG-I always loved the Neighborhood of Make Believe!
Since Pittsburgh is where he’s REALLY big, over at the John Heinz Regional History Center (where I’ll be doing my internship in April-:D), they have the PUPPETS in the gift shop-Henrietta Pussy Cat, X the Owl, Daniel Striped Tiger.
My three-year-old son is a Mr. Rogers nut. He had to be Mr. Rogers for Halloween this year. On the days he’s in preschool (MWF) he doesn’t get home in time to watch it on our local PBS station, so my wife tapes it for him. He has a full-size replica of the Neighborhood Trolley (probably the most expensive single toy my wife ever has consented to buy).
Though “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” was around when I was a tyke, I have no recollection of watching it until my sister was of the appropriate age (I’d have been eight or nine by then). Later, I was contempuous of as twee and schmaltzy. Watching with a parent’s eyes, however, I see someone who’s not afraid to be ridiculed by adults in an effort to connect with kids at a level and pace that they can deal with, to help them talk about and think about the things that they wonder and worry about. Given the high-speed stimulation of so many other things directed at kids, I’m grateful for this break in my son’s day where he can slow down and under the direction of a caring, gentle adult think about how to interact with others, how the world works, and how to talk about the things that worry him.
I remember thinking that the picture on the back of a U.S. penny was the Trolley.
Don’t tell me you can’t see the resemblance.
You can find my views on him Homepage | Dilbert by Scott Adams" here .
I was a cynical kid
Ack, there ya go, first time I try something fancy I mess up 
Ah well.
I forgot to mention, I share the view with the cat.
Mr. Rogers and I share the same birthday, March 20. It has always made me feel kind of special knowing that Mr. Rogers loves me just the way I am.
(Everybody sing!!!)
It’s such a great feeling,
a feeling inside
It’s such a happy feeling
you’re growing inside.
And when you wake up ready to say
I think I’ll have a snappy new day.
It’s a great feeling to say that
I’ll be back when the day is new
and I’ll have new ideas for you
And you’ll have things you want to talk about
I will too.
I like to thing there is a little Fred in all of us.
Merry Christmas and God bless us everyone.
That is hilarious, I thought the same thing!
When I was in Pre-School, Mr. Rogers and Mr. McFeeley were supposed to make a visit. Mr. Rogers didn’t make it for some, I’m sure sincere, reason, but I got an autographed picture of Mr. McFeeley. Speedy Delivery! Of course, I was in Pre-School, maybe Mr. Rogers himself wasn’t even supposed to be there . . .
Also, Parents, if your children love The Land of Make Believe, you must visit it at Idlewild park if you’re ever in the Pittsburgh area. It’s about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh.