Mister Rogers & Me

A must see for those raised on the PBS show or any parent whose children watch television.
A must see for those raised on the PBS show or any parent whose children watch television.

Wouldn't "we" all like to live in Mister Rogers real neighborhood, especially nearly next door? (I say "we" because the long-running PBS show ` "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" - came a bit after my own childhood. I grew up on "Ding Dong School" and "Romper Room".) Well MTV producer Ben Wagner - along with his cameraman brother, Chris, actually did live next to Fred Rogers in Nantucket, RI, when he was growing up. Rogers died in 2003 and the filmmaker Wagner brothers decided to produce a documentary tribute to Rogers and the ideals he set out to share with his PBS audience through his PBS show.

Through archival photos - gathered from the Rogers family - and interviews with celebrities - including another Nantucket neighbor, the late Tim Russert (NBC's "meet The Press), NPRs original "All Things Considered" host, Susan Stamberg,, and Nick News producer Linda Ellerbee, the...

Powerful, inspirational must-see
I stumbled across this documentary on PBS while casually channel-surfing earlier this evening. There was nothing better on at the time, and like every other American my age, I grew up watching Mr. Rogers, so figured I might as well watch. Never did I anticipate the emotional response it triggered. As the filmmakers demonstrate through a series of interviews and correspondence with friends and associates, Fred Rogers was the embodiment of love, kindness, and acceptance. Although he is gone, I am wistful as I imagine the positive impact our society could experience if we were all to embrace the ideals that Mr. Rogers promoted- and more importantly, lived by.

One of the film's most illuminating anecdotes is from a young man who was acquainted with Mr. Rogers while growing up, and had the opportunity to interview him years later for his own television show. He presented Mr. Rogers with a conflict he was having with his upstairs neighbor, who resented hearing the loud music...

Spreading the message.
Mister Rogers & Me focuses little on the man and much on his message: Deep and simple.

Through conversations with a variety of notable individuals, the message of "deep and simple" is solidified in those of us who grew up with regular visits to the Neighborhood and we are reminded of the authenticity of Fred Rogers -- both on and off the camera.

Certainly, Mister Rogers & Me is more than just another documentary. It is a challenge to better ourselves and to recognize the importance of what is deep and simple -- to appreciate every second and every moment, every person and every meeting, that we are blessed to experience.

[NeighborhoodArchive.com]

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