Page 31 - ARUBA TODAY

PEOPLE & ARTS Wednesday 21 February 2018
A31

Fred Rogers, America's favorite neighbor, celebrated in 2018

By MARK KENNEDY Wednesday, the child of
AP Entertainment Writer King Friday XIII, and Kateri-
NEW YORK (AP) — It's been na Kittycat, the daughter
50 years since Fred Rog- of Henrietta Pussycat.
ers first appeared on TV Rogers’ effect on popu-
screens, a gentle and lar culture was profound:
avuncular man who war- Eddie Murphy parodied
bled "Won't You Be My him on “Saturday Night
Neighbor?" as he changed Live” in the 1980s and one
into a cardigan and sneak- of Rogers’ trademark zip-
ers. up sweaters hangs in the
The low-key, low-tech "Mis- Smithsonian’s National Mu-
ter Rogers' Neighborhood" seum of American History.
presented Rogers as one He’s had a category dedi-
adult in a busy world who cated to him on “Jeopar-
always had time to listen to dy.”
children. That legacy burns PBS stations around the
for many in these turbulent country still air “Mister Rog-
times. ers’ Neighborhood” and
"Sometimes I think I wish we some can be found on the
had a bat signal for Mister PBS Kids video app. There
Rogers right now," said co- are DVD collections on
median Sarah Silverman, Amazon and episodes are
who has hung a portrait streamable on Amazon
of Rogers on the set of This June 28, 1989, file photo, shows Fred Rogers as he rehearses the opening of his PBS show "Mis- Prime.
her Hulu series "I Love You, ter Rogers' Neighborhood" during a taping in Pittsburgh. Rogers has remained rel-
America" for inspiration. Associated Press evant in this high-tech and
The golden anniversary of ironic age despite a lack
America's favorite neigh- his own songs for the show. Whoopi Goldberg, Yo-Yo child development and of new episodes. Genera-
bor's appearance is be- It offered a soft haven for Ma, Esperanza Spalding, create "Daniel Tiger's Neigh- tions of kids — and those
ing celebrated with a PBS kids, in sharp contrast to Judd Apatow and hosted borhood" and co-create who became parents
special next month, a new the louder, more animat- by Michael Keaton for the "Blue's Clues." If Rogers' ba- themselves — have found
postage stamp, a feature- ed competition. The final public television pledge ton has been picked up by in Rogers’ heartfelt, simple
length documentary com- episode of what his widow special "It's You I Like" set for anyone, it's Santomero. lessons a comfort blanket
ing out this summer and calls "a comfortable lap" March 6. "I was his No. 1 fan. Like I lit- in times of stress. At a time
plans for a Tom Hanks-led aired August 2001. Rogers "I've thought about him erally could not sit any clos- when media icons have
biopic. died in 2003. more and more over the er to the TV set when he been tarnished or pulled
"It's just a wonderful, thrilling "No one has come along years because there's no was on," she says, laughing. down, Rogers endures.
time for me," said his wid- like him. Everything is based one like him," said Lithgow, "When someone looks you “He’s essential right now.
ow, Joanne Rogers. "I'm just on high stimulation. He re- who met Rogers while tour- in the eye — I don't care if His teachings and his beau-
sorry that Fred's not here to ally was exactly the oppo- ing with his own concert se- it's through the TV screen — ty and love and patience
share it. But I think he would site," said actor John Lith- ries. "There is no one who so and tells you that 'I like you and care and empathy
be just as amazed as I am." gow. "He had such a sense completely talked on the just the way you are,' it's and compassion are our
An ordained Presbyterian of children's' developmen- level of children — not talk- very powerful." only salvation right now,”
minister, Rogers produced tal needs. And I think that's ing down to them, not talk- Homage to Rogers is baked said Silverman.
the pioneering show at under assault these days." ing up to them — just talk- into “Daniel Tiger’s Neigh- Last year, amid proposed
Pittsburgh public television Lithgow, whose kids were ing right to them." borhood,” which features slashes to PBS funding, Rog-
station WQED beginning in enchanted by Rogers One of those kids was An- children of characters from ers’ 1969 Senate testimony
1966, going national two growing up, is joining Silver- gela Santomero, who “Mister Rogers’ Neighbor- defending public TV from
years later. He composed man and celebrities like would go on to focus on hood,” including Prince budget cuts went viral. q
Love proves graceful, profound in 'Rosie Colored Glasses'

By CHRISTINA LEDBETTER is feeling her way through She is peeved with Rex and tion to suburban Virginia,
Associated Press her new life as a child of his rigidity. Rosie feeds Wil- where the two meet their
Rex has no desire to twirl divorced parents. While low and her brother pizza demise. Here, Rosie's mov-
with Rosie through an an- some books donning this and dances with them to ing plight threatens to shat-
tique shop, and Rosie isn't approach require a dose songs by Prince. Rex cre- ter her family and forces
the type to stay in bed on of mental gymnastics on ates chore checklists. While them to find strength in un-
Sunday mornings. For now, behalf of readers in order Rosie and Rex fill opposing familiar places. Throughout
however, they will set aside to remain engaging, Wolf- spaces in the book, their each scene, heartache
pieces of themselves and son's storytelling expertise characters remain textured and hope battle for the
sink into this exhilarating (if creates a smooth read free and rich. Wolfson forces no spotlight. Wolfson's writing
mortal) love they've found. of cheap clutter. one (except Willow's bul- is superb. Without so much
Told in alternating chap- Willow is entirely endear- lies) squarely into the role of as dipping a toe into cli-
ters taking place 12 years ing with her frizzy hair and hero or villain, and instead che territory, her heady
apart, Brianna Wolfson's word search puzzles, and allows her cast to fail, hurt, This cover image released descriptions of love will curl
"Rosie Colored Glasses" fol- it's through her lens that scream and grow. by Mira shows "Rosie Colored into readers' souls. With a
lows Rex and Rosie as they we're charmed by Rosie The Manhattan backdrop Glasses," a novel by Brianna simplistic elegance to her
begin their relationship and and her whimsically pas- for the couple's courtship Wolfson. prose, the author delivers a
their daughter, Willow, who sionate approach to life. serves as an apt juxtaposi- Associated Press treasure of a read.q