Bye, Neighbor

What the hell is PBS thinking? After nearly 40 years of entertaining and educating children, the nonprofit media giant is cutting Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. According to PBS officials, the decision to cut the program is due to lack of ratings and the desire of local PBS affiliates to find new programming.

Smails is all for change, so don't get me wrong, but in an era when our children's TV programming is relegated to computer-generated cartoons and child stars flashing their cooters on the Internet, why would you cut something that was in its essence pure? What made Mr. Rogers famous is what was also the but of its jokes--a seemingly single, middle-aged white male with an aquarium, interacting trolley, Neighborhood of Make Believe, "speedy delivery" guy and visits by celebrities and others who taught us about art, sports, business, gardening and just about anything adults did. He taught lessons in life, the power of imagination and that no matter what, he liked us just the way we are.

Save for the '70s look of his wardrobe and pad, his show transcends generations. In a cynical, violent, often evil world, Mr. Rogers was a beacon of calm and peace. And for those who grew up in dysfunctional households, he was a realistic escape, because he showed children of all ages that there are houses where someone is just happy to be alive, is interested in the world and likes you the way you are.

I would much rather my daughter watch and learn from Mr. Rogers than Barney the Dinosaur, Hannah Montana or just about anything on Nickelodeon. What's next, PBS? Sesame Street? Doubtful. As long as they can slap Elmo's face on diapers and sell vibrating stuffed toys for moms and kids alike, they will let the rest of the Sesame Street gang ride the coattails of that little magenta whatsit. What you couldn't market with Fred Rogers is exactly what he is selling: good morals, imaginations, acceptance of others and that if you put your mind to it you could be anything you wanted in life.

PBS also missed the boat because they DID have a chance to re-market the program as part of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood's 40th anniversary, leading me to believe they had their firing squad set on Fred Rogers for some time.

Way to go, PBS. You've just Cartoon Networked America's kids a little bit more.

Judge Elihu M. Smails