In light of the recent backlash on the ‘Net about PBS dropping Mr. Rogers Neighborhood from its regular lineup, I thought I’d re-post this tribute to him that I wrote back in 2003 (pre-blog era) shortly after his death.
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I’d like to take a moment to mark the passing of one of my heroes: Fred Rogers (of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood).
As a parent of 5 year old twin boys and a 3 year old girl, I’ve watched a LOT of children’s media over the past 5 years. A true TV pioneer, Fred Rogers produced over 900 shows (take THAT, Barney!!!) and (unlike so many others in the industry he helped create) he never, EVER sold out to commercial interests. An ordained minister, his program reflected values that are so rarely seen anywhere else in the media: that each person is unique and special, capable ofloving and of being loved. He also dealt with painful issues like death, divorce, child abuse, and disabilities with incredible sensitivity. He spoke and sang of these things clearly and directly. He modeled love, patience and respect for all beings, and the value of imagination, creativity, and people over things. No other television program has ever come close to the raw honesty of his approach to such difficult emotional subjects.
Fred Rogers (a classically-trained pianist) also introduced generations ofchildren to some of the greatest music on the planet, in particular Jazz music, which was never “watered downâ€. The musicians on his show were among the best in the world.
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As Russell Friedman and John W. James, co-founders of The Grief Recovery Institute Educational Foundation, wrote:
“Many famous people have both a public and private persona. Often the two are quite far apart. Not Fred Rogers. From what we understand, he was one of those exemplary people whose walk and talk were a matched set. What you saw is who hewas.â€
Thanks for being such a good neighbor, Fred. We’ll miss you.
A lovely piece. And yes, Fred was the same guy in person he was on television.
A film documentary is under development of Johnny Costa’s life. It was Johnny, not Fred, who introduced children to jazz. It was Branford Marsalis who said, “‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ is the best jazz program on television.'”
It was Johnny who instituted jazz on the program. And it is Fred who always gets the credit. One day when I was in Pittsburgh and watching a taping, a member of the staff said to me, “Without Johnny’s music, this program is nothing. And everyone who works here knows this.”
Sharing was not a lesson that Fred every learned. Johnny was one of the greatest pianists of the century. But in all the stuff that has ever been written about the program or about Fred, it’s hard to find mention of Johnny Costa.
HG
Thanks Hugh! I’m very sorry not to have mentioned Johnny Costa in my tribute, although the tribute was to Fred specifically. His great music was a huge part of the program of course, and I agree wholeheartedly that Costa doesn’t get enough credit for his invaluable contribution.