Mr. Rodgers’ Party A Mort Laitner Essay
As each of my three sons reached the age of three, I introduced them to the “Mr. Rodgers
Neighborhood” TV show.
Remember that PBS show.
Remember the words to the theme song, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
Remember when Fred zippered his cardigan and tied his sneakers.
Remember the puppets, the marionettes (King Friday XIII), the fish tank and that red and
yellow trolley car.
You and your kids were enthralled in the “Land of Make Believe.”
Fred with his soft monotone voice, treated children with respect.
That was and still is pretty rare on TV as well as all other aspects of our children’s lifes.
He never yelled, nor raised his voice or nor showed any raw emotion.
You may ask yourself where is Mort going with this story?
Well as I watched MSNBC it hit me.
Chuck, Nancy and Adam had taken on the aura of Mr. Fred Rodgers.
They live in a testosterone and estrogen free-zone neighborhood.
Soft-spoken, respectful, emotionless Rodgers clones who
measure their words far too carefully and who speak softly while carrying neither sticks
nor sharp verbal barbs.
Living in the “Land of Make Believe” where those bullied with nuggies,
wedgies and crammed in lockers end up running a nation.
Fred never won any elections except in the hearts of his three-year-old viewers.
Well if Chuck, Nancy and Adam don’t change they will bring their party the luck of King
Friday XIII.
