I Have A Neighborly Column Today (3/2/03) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brett Ferino · 03-02-2003, 01:06 PM

I Have A Neighborly Column Today
BY BRETT FERINO
Chit Chat Columnist

We all expressed much sadness on Thursday and Friday, even to this day about the death of our "television neighbor", Mister Fred McFeely Rogers who passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2003 early in the morning at his Pittsburgh home at the age of 74.
While I was on my way to school, I was listening to one of the Philadelphia radio stations. While they were doing "The News Of Now", when a phrase "Beloved children's television host" came up, I had wondered. And then when she said "Fred Rogers has died", I'm like "Oh My God!". I could not believe it and we all could'nt. And everyone at school was talking about his death.

Those who remember watching his program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" remember his theme song and what he would always do. We can hear him saying the famous theme words "It's A Beautiful Day In This Neighborhood" when he'd open the door and then take his jacket off and put a cardigan that was knitted by his mother in the past and then he'd put on those comfortable sneakers. Snap! Snap!.

Then he'd have something nice to say, and then Mr. McFeely (who's last name is named from Fred Rogers' middle name) and then the Trolley would come around and take to The Neighborhood Of Make Believe, where there would be characters such as King Friday, Queen Sara, Prince Tuesday and Henrietta Pussycat and more. All of those characters were voiced by Rogers himself.

And when each program ended, he'd do his "Good Feeling" theme where he'd take his sneakers and cardigan off and end each episode (even his last one) saying "I'll Be Back Next Time! Good-Bye!".

I am very sad for the Rogers family and the staff at PBS and Family Communications, Inc.

There were nearly 1000 programs and at least 13 new episodes each year from 1968-2001 and many people enjoyed watching the show everyday.

As you may know, over the years, many children's television personalities have passed away. Fran Allison, of "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" died in 1989, Buffalo Bob Smith of "The Howdy Doody Show" died back in the summer of 1998 like Shari Lewis ("The Shari Lewis Show", "Lamb-Chop's Play Along" and "The Charlie Horse Music Pizza") succumbed to cancer in the same year.

Ones that are still alive and in excellent health are Laurie Main, the British narrator and host from Disney Channel's "Welcome to Pooh Corner" from 1983 to 1995 and Bob Keeshan, beloved host of the original "Captain Kangaroo".

All I have to say to end this column is that Mister Rogers will always be our neighbor.

03-02-2003, 01:06 PM	#1
Brett Ferino Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 18, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,782	I Have A Neighborly Column Today (3/2/03) I Have A Neighborly Column Today BY BRETT FERINO Chit Chat Columnist We all expressed much sadness on Thursday and Friday, even to this day about the death of our "television neighbor", Mister Fred McFeely Rogers who passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2003 early in the morning at his Pittsburgh home at the age of 74. While I was on my way to school, I was listening to one of the Philadelphia radio stations. While they were doing "The News Of Now", when a phrase "Beloved children's television host" came up, I had wondered. And then when she said "Fred Rogers has died", I'm like "Oh My God!". I could not believe it and we all could'nt. And everyone at school was talking about his death. Those who remember watching his program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" remember his theme song and what he would always do. We can hear him saying the famous theme words "It's A Beautiful Day In This Neighborhood" when he'd open the door and then take his jacket off and put a cardigan that was knitted by his mother in the past and then he'd put on those comfortable sneakers. Snap! Snap!. Then he'd have something nice to say, and then Mr. McFeely (who's last name is named from Fred Rogers' middle name) and then the Trolley would come around and take to The Neighborhood Of Make Believe, where there would be characters such as King Friday, Queen Sara, Prince Tuesday and Henrietta Pussycat and more. All of those characters were voiced by Rogers himself. And when each program ended, he'd do his "Good Feeling" theme where he'd take his sneakers and cardigan off and end each episode (even his last one) saying "I'll Be Back Next Time! Good-Bye!". I am very sad for the Rogers family and the staff at PBS and Family Communications, Inc. There were nearly 1000 programs and at least 13 new episodes each year from 1968-2001 and many people enjoyed watching the show everyday. As you may know, over the years, many children's television personalities have passed away. Fran Allison, of "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" died in 1989, Buffalo Bob Smith of "The Howdy Doody Show" died back in the summer of 1998 like Shari Lewis ("The Shari Lewis Show", "Lamb-Chop's Play Along" and "The Charlie Horse Music Pizza") succumbed to cancer in the same year. Ones that are still alive and in excellent health are Laurie Main, the British narrator and host from Disney Channel's "Welcome to Pooh Corner" from 1983 to 1995 and Bob Keeshan, beloved host of the original "Captain Kangaroo". All I have to say to end this column is that Mister Rogers will always be our neighbor.