PUPPET MAGICPull those Strings

Behind the Scenes in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

Do . . . you . . . know . . . why . . . Mr. . . . Rogers . . . of . . . Mr. . . . Rogers’ . . . Neighbor . . . hood . . . TV . . . show . . . talks . . . so . . . very . . . slowly . . . and . . . very . . . clearly . . . and . . . uses . . . little . . . tiny . . . words?

During my college years, I had the privilege of working on the “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” show for WQED Public TV in Pittsburgh. As an intern, I assisted with the props and sets. One day while on a break from shooting, I asked Fred Rogers why he talked in such a leisurely, piecemeal way. What he shared with me, as well as what I observed being with him, gave me a fresh appreciation of commitment, compassion and integrity.

“Children understand us when we talk plainly and honestly to them,” explained Mr. Rogers. “I talk very simply to children because I want to communicate with them as young as possible. Even before children understand the intellectual definition of words, they absorb meaning from the vibration of each spoken word, the energy of the intention of the communication, and the feelings of the people speaking.”

This champion of children has been speaking to the hearts and spirits of youngsters since the beginning of commercial broadcast communication. Before television was born, Mr. Rogers was on the first radio station in the world, KDKA in Pittsburgh, with “The Children’s Hour.” His program later developed into “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” on public television. Now his slow-talking children’s show is on hundreds of television stations in the United States and in scores of other countries.

Fred Rogers relates to children naturally and intimately. He speaks from his heart directly into their souls. And they intensely love him in return. The depth to which Mr. Rogers touches children reveals itself when kids from around the country come to visit the television studio. Often I watched frightened children timidly step into the huge studio, closely hugging their parents, holding onto a leg or an arm. For a child, a TV studio is an intimidating room full of wires, cables, monitors, bright lights and scores of big people running around yelling orders at each other. Peering through this scary mass of adults, cameras and props, kids would catch a glimpse of Mr. Rogers on the far side of the set. Overwhelmed with raw enthusiasm, they’d tear free from their parents, climb over the cables, weave past all the equipment and jump joyously into Fred’s outstretched arms.

Somehow, Mr. Rogers always knew when a child was coming and would drop whatever he was doing to be ready to embrace them. Many times I saw kids leap several feet before reaching him, confident their loving hero would catch them once they reached his waist or chest. And Fred would always snag them—gently, reverently. Those children held onto him so tightly. Crying with delight, the kids would tell him repeatedly how much they loved him. Touching, holding and hugging this gentle, caring person—who had affected them so poignantly over the airwaves—was the thrill of their lives.

Often, after a short while, some parents became visibly jealous of the strong, open affection between their kids and the show’s genial host. Usually, Mr. Rogers perceived the emotions emanating from Mom and Dad, and graciously returned the child to the envious parents. However, when Fred missed his cue, parents would physically rip their child away from his embrace, making up some excuse about having to leave.

“Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” has a very distinct purpose in addition to entertainment. In every episode of the show, Fred weaves a consistent connection of cooperation, caring, fairness, generosity, honesty, mutuality, trust, openness, spontaneity, courage and harmony between himself and the show’s characters. These qualities are the spiritual principles by which Fred Rogers lives and expresses himself consistently in word, feeling and action on his program and in his private life. He realizes parents may be lacking in some values or may not be available enough to instill these qualities in their children. Fred uses his interactions with the show’s puppet and human characters to introduce and demonstrate these values to kids as early in their lives as possible. Then, when children are older and their world expands beyond their home to adults and other kids, they have a solid spiritual and social foundation to draw upon.

Adroitly, Mr. Rogers never lectures his audience, but rather relies on his regular cast of puppet people and animals to present and implant caring concepts through playful adventures. When Robert Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968, Mr. Rogers noticed most television stations were showing people grieving and wearing solemn dark clothes. In addition, radio outlets were broadcasting very doleful music befitting a nation in mourning. As an adult, he understood this somberness is the primary way our culture deals with death. However, he was concerned about the effect this perspective on death was having on children. Fred feared that the extreme national outpouring of grief and despair was sending a very one-sided, negative message to kids concerning death—one of overwhelming sadness, fear, abandonment and confusion. In order to present an alternative to the nation’s morose and bleak cultural perception of mortality, Mr. Rogers engaged the magic of his puppets.

What a great time the puppets were having playing with balloons! The puppets bounced and played catch with the balloons until the balloons became their friends. The puppets became such intimate friends with the balloons, they gave them personal names. Then, in the frolic and spontaneity of play, one by one the balloons were punctured. Some balloons deflated quickly. Others lost their air more slowly. Because the puppets were losing some of their balloon friends, they were sad. All they had left of their friends were limp, lifeless pieces of rubber. Afraid and confused, the puppets went to Wise Owl and asked him what was happening to their balloon buddies.

“Where did our friends go? We were having such fun! Now all of a sudden they’re gone,” the puppets cried.

Wise Owl explained that their friends were not really gone. They had just changed form. His analogy was straightforward and easy to grasp.

“First,” Wise Owl told the puppets, “before your balloon friends arrived, they were part of the Big Air. And when you all blew up the balloons, you helped bring this Big Air into the balloons. As the Big Air came into each balloon, it became one of your balloon friends.” Wise Owl tenderly explained to the puppets that in the course of living life, the balloon bodies of their friends were punctured and their essence went back to the Big Air. “Your balloon friends no longer need the balloon bodies because they’ve changed form. But they’re still around—in Spirit, in the Big Air,” consoled the feathered sage. “Can you feel them?”

“Yes! Yes! We can feel them!” the puppets exclaimed in unison.

The puppets’ fears were alleviated. They understood that a person might grieve when a friend dies, changes form and goes away. But death does not mean the end; it simply means a friend has changed form and gone somewhere else. Once again, Mr. Rogers’ young audience was given an alternative way to perceive an important aspect of life on Earth. And, as is his special talent, Mr. Rogers imparts a more compassionate and life-affirming way to embrace life than what is shown in much of ordinary commercial television programming.

Years later, I was delighted to come across an historical fact that revealed more of the casual, canny insight of this playful puppeteer. The word that Jesus of Nazareth used in Biblical times when he referred to death does not literally translate into the English word death. The Aramaic word Jesus chose to use means “not here, present elsewhere.”

The masterful way Fred Rogers used his puppets and the scope of his understanding of human nature were never more evident than when the puppets would counsel the technical crew of his television show.

The crew—mostly cameramen, grips and technicians—rarely talked directly to Mr. Rogers off the set. They did, however, mercilessly make fun of him behind his back for the emotional and expressive way he communicated on the show and in public. Fred was an easy target for the crew because he was such an open and, to them, vulnerable man who wore his heart on his sleeve.

Amazingly though, while Mr. Rogers was rehearsing the movements of his puppets before each show, these same macho, blue-collar detractors would surreptitiously sneak into the television studio and ask his puppets for personal advice! Speaking through the voices and personalities of Wise Owl, the King, Squirrel and other puppets, Mr. Rogers would dispense guidance to the crew members about extremely personal issues, such as being impotent or having serious marital or health problems.

Fred assigned me the task of keeping everyone else off the set until he, or rather the puppets, finished counseling a worker. From a discreet distance, I observed these “tough” men cry and tell the puppets their most secret fears and weaknesses. The men knew on some level, of course, that inside the puppet was the hand of Fred Rogers. The same men who would not talk to Mr. Rogers to his face would bare their souls to his puppet-covered hands! The genuine concern and compassion Fred expressed through his puppets to these workers was very moving to witness.

Later, in public, the same crew members he had counseled continued to ignore Mr. Rogers, as if the puppet encounters had never occurred. And Fred played along with their detached behavior, not giving any sign of personal connection with the workers other than as ordinary members of his crew. However, I did notice that, over time, the men who got the most counseling from the puppets participated less and less in the mocking of their boss behind his back.

Fred Rogers taught me how to communicate in the most profound and affecting way—heart to heart, soul to soul. He not only showed me how to convey messages through direct transmission, he modeled how to do so with clarity, love and integrity. By daily example with the children and crew, he demonstrates how to use authenticity of intention to connect with other human beings on the most fundamental spiritual level.

He aligns his eyes, face and voice to instill a potent and consistent tone to his sharing. He utilizes his body and gestures to carry the strength of his conviction. To express the lightness and accepting nature of his presence, he uses spontaneous laughter, play, fun and humor. He employs music, poetry, art and dance to share on still more levels and reach a broader spectrum of children—of all ages! His carefully chosen words, stories and actions were the outer expression of inner eternal truths that have served me well over the years.

I was, indeed, honored to hang with Mr. Rogers in his ‘hood.

About the Author

Drawing from the wisdom of native and ancient spiritual traditions, Keith Varnum shares his 30 years of practical success as an author, personal coach, acupuncturist, filmmaker, radio host, restaurateur, vision quest guide and international seminar leader with “The Dream Workshops”. Keith helps people get the love, money, and health they want with his F-r-e-e Prosperity Ezine, F-r-e-e Abundance Tape and F-r-e-e Coaching at www.TheDream.com

Steppin’ Out – Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

VINTAGE RUBBER CLOTH COMBINATION HAND PUPPET Mr. Rogers Neighborhood KING $3.29

VINTAGE RUBBER CLOTH COMBINATION HAND PUPPET Mr. Rogers Neighborhood QUEEN $3.50

PLUSH HENRIETTA PUSSYCAT PUPPET MR ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD $39.99

Robin Hood? A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

Kermit Frog? A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

Bald Guy? A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

Baseball Cat? A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

Mary Hd Lamb? A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

Mary Hd Lamb? A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

Cute Pig Face A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

Robin Hoods? A Vintage Happy Mr Mister Rogers Neighborhood Nici Hand Puppet Toy $34.00

VINTAGE HAND PUPPETS FROM MR.ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD LOOK!!!!!!! $7.99

VINTAGE Dakin KING FRIDAY Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood hand puppet VELVET robe HTF! $17.95

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Court Jester $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Devil $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – German Police Officer $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Grannie $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Older Woman $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Wolf $22.00

x3 LOT Mr. ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD a Golden Shape Book Mr. Mcfeely Poster Puppet $27.99

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Dwarf $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Mary $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Witch $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – German Man $22.00

Vintage Mr Rogers Neighborhood of Make Believe Puppet – Queen $22.00

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – Going to School (with Toy Bus) $16.98 Studio: Starz/sphe Release Date: 08/16/2005 Rating: Nr…

Competition (#1483) Big Bird Visits the Neighborhood $1.99 …

Pets (#1499) Sometimes It’s Very Hard to Wait $1.99 …

Jealousy (#1177) Henrietta Gets Angry (1971) $1.99 …

Set of 5 Vintage Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Hand Puppets …

Mister Rogers Neighborhood $58.94 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Mister Rogers Neighborhood, also known as Mister Rogers, is an American childrens television series that was created and hosted by Fred Rogers. Mister Rogers Neighborhood was produced by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA public broadcaster WQED and Rogers nonprofit production company Family Communications, Inc. (named Small World Enterprises prior to 1971). It is the second longest running series on PBS, after Sesame Street. The series could be seen in reruns on most PBS stations until August 29, 2008, when it was removed by PBS from their daily syndicated schedule along with Reading Rainbow, Boohbah, and Teletubbies. A number of stations have chosen to continue airing it independently of the PBS feed. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 74 Publication Date: 2010/09/14 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.18 inches

Holgate HZ6160 Mr Rogers Track Trolly $20.28 Track Size Trolley designed for children ages 2 years to 6 years. Fits standard wooden tracks Links up to magnetic train sets through metal headlights at both ends. Take a ride in Mister Rogers Neighborhood Ideal play with wood building blocks. Take the trolley to school for show and tell promoting community neighborhood and kindness to one anotherthis is what Mister Rogers stood for. Measures: 3 long x 11/4 wide x 2 high. Ages 2 and up.

Holgate HZ6162 Mr Rogers Fun Size Trolly $24.18 Limited Time Only Buy 2 And Get 10 Off Enter Code Cvgt7G2T At Checkout. A FunSize Version Of Mister Rogers Neighborhood Trolley. 7 Longideal For Little Hands. Safe And Durable Construction. Handle Provides Transportation From RoomToRoom. The Fine Addition To The Handeez Line Teaches Children Motion And Quiet Play.

Holgate HZ6167 Mr Rogers Trolly Step Stool $44.98 Welcome to the Neighborhood Safe and sturdy step stool is 7 high and 10 diameter stool top. Wide base prevents tipping. Legs are screwed together not glued for extra strength. Can be personalized. Made of hardwoods in the USA by Holgate Toys.

Lets Talk About It By Rogers, Fred/ Judkis, Jim (ILT) $11.86 In his characteristically wise and gentle way, the host of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood challenges the stereotypes that often plague children with special needs and celebrates six children who are extraordinary friends. Simultaneous. Author: Rogers, Fred/ Judkis, Jim (ILT) Series Title: Lets Talk About It Subtitle: Extraordinary Friends Publication Date: 2000/01/01 Binding Type: Paperback Grade Level: 12 Language: English Depth: 0.25 Width: 8.00 Height: 10.00

Signed Rogers Picture – University of South Carolina $32.4 Signed Rogers Picture – University of South Carolina Autographed GEORGE ROGERS photo – University of South Carolina. Mr. Rogers won the Heisman Trophy in 1980.

N010122862 Mister Rogers Neighborhood Adventures in Friendship $35.87 Format: DVD. Runtime: 58 Minutes. Language: English. Region code: Region 1 (United States Canada Bermuda U.S. territories). Discs: 1. Rating: Unrated. Genre: Kids. Subgenre: Family. Release Year: 2005.

Santa Fes Historic McKenzie Neighborhood $27 Speaking to lovers of art, Santa Fe, historic architecture, guidebooks, and books as art, this text illuminates the diverse periodarchitecture found in a simple crisscross of seven streets in the historic McKenzie Neighborhood, just a fiveminute walk from the downtown Plaza, bordered by the Georgia OKeeffe Museum on Johnson Street. Author: Rogers, Victoria/ Haines, Cal Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 60 Publication Date: 2011/04/15 Language: English Dimensions: 8.50 x 8.50 x 0.16 inches

Mr. Wroes Virgins by Rogers, Jane [Paperback] $25.12 When Prophet John Wroe was told by God to comfort himself with seven virgins, his congregation gave him their daughters. So begins this provocative and immensely powerful ( Booklist ) novel, set in 19thcentury England and based on actual events. Author: Rogers, Jane Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 288 Publication Date: 2000/10/10 Language: English Dimensions: 8.26 x 5.56 x 0.87 inches

Puppet Partners Mr. Monster Puppet (Children’s) – Multicolored $32.45 Your child with have a great time with this half body puppet. Made of durable fabrics that are surface washable. Great fun for amateur or pro puppeteers! For kids ages 14 and older. No choking hazard.

Puppet Partners Mr. Tree Puppet (Children’s) – Multicolored $39.95 This set includes a tree puppet with seasonal accessories and a booklet with four scripts/lessons and teacher’s guide. Teaches about the seasons as they relate to nature and people, weather, holidays, trees, pollination, and the importance of bees. Set is designed to be interactive between teacher and students. For children ages 3 and older. Choking Hazard.