Bill "Crow T. Robot II" Corbett's tribute to Mr. Rogers on the 6th anniversary of his passing

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Remembering Mr. Rogers
February 27th, 2009 by Bill Corbett · 55 Comments

This may seem odd coming from someone known for what we do here, but I miss Mr. Rogers.



Fred Rogers died six years ago today after a long and often parodied career in children’s television. He was always good-natured about himself as a source of satire, accepting that it came with the territory. By all accounts, he was a genuinely warm, gentle man; an ordained minister who lived his faith every day, and did so with a smile.

To some degree, I can personally attest to that. When I was in college, Mr. Rogers visited to give a lecture on children and the media. It helps to know that this was at Yale University, from whence come future leaders, intellectuals, and super-high achievers… as well as occasional weirdoes like myself. I remember everyone joking around when they saw the posters on campus: would he change into his sweater and sneakers when he entered the lecture hall? Would he bring King Friday?… etc. etc. & so on.

My friends and I decided to show up just for giggles. When we got to the building where Mr. Rogers was supposed to speak, there was a big notice: the event had been moved to a much larger venue because of the numbers of people already showing up.

Mr. Rogers was a rock star that afternoon. Everyone at Yale wanted to see the man — most of us had distinct memories of him. Many like myself wanted to be all ironic-like, I’m sure.

http://blog.rifftrax.com/2009/02/27/remembering-mr-rogers/

[av8rdave]

1. Fred Rogers was awesome

I have many fond memories of my kids in my lap as they watched his program. All kids seemed to go through a Mr. Rogers stage. Mine were three years apart, so I go to go through two Mr. Rogers stages...and I enjoyed every minute of them.

[hippywife]

2. He doesn't like

Lady Elaine? :shrug:

[ogneopasno]

3. I was kind of pissed at all the Jindal-Mr. Rogers comparisons. Mr. Rogers was smart, truly

compassionate, intelligent and curious. He never spoke down to children, and his half-hour a day might be the only considered, thoughtful experience some kids have, compared with the frenetic crap TV throws at kids. I cried when I was told he died.

ETA: So I just read the blog, and I loved the ending. Hilarious, and I totally agree.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

4. I agree...I didn't click on any of the threads that posted that stuff.

Jindal's an opportunist, a liar, and excruciatingly "not ready for prime time." Fred's memory deserves better than that kind of unfair, unjustified comparison.

[Orrex]

5. I can't find the story online, but...

Years ago Mr. Rogers car was stolen. After an outcry in the Pittsburgh media, the vehicle was returned anonymously with a note saying "Sorry--we didn't know it was your car."

That's respect you can't buy.

[ogneopasno]

6. That's so awesome. I know that Fred Phelps wanted to show up at Mr. Rogers' funeral because he told

kids it was OK to be who they were. Because Phelps figured that if they were gay, then liking them "just the way you are" was a sin against everything. Freak.