Google is honoring the late Fred Rogers and his long-running PBS show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Friday with a Doodle.
A stop-motion animation of Mr. Rogers starts off the Doodle and emulates the style of his show with scenes that include Trolley and kids sitting around an old-fashioned TV.
“I’m so thrilled that Google is celebrating Fred and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with this charming tribute," said Rogers' wife, Joanne, in a statement. "This stroll through the Neighborhood is delightful, and Fred’s gentle kindness is beautifully captured in the Doodle.”
Google launched the Doodle to celebrate 51 years of Rogers’ neighborhood. The show launched on September 21, 1967, on WQED before going national in 1968 on PBS, according to Google.
Watch The Google Doodle
Today, young viewers still get to “visit with” Daniel Tiger (son of the beloved puppet from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the animated spin-off, which delves into many of the same topics Rogers did.
Both the original and spinoff air on WJCT Channel 7.3, which is the PBS Kids station in Jacksonville.
They also air on WJCT's Channel 7.1. A complete schedule of airtimes and channels for both shows is available by searching "Mister Rogers" or "Daniel Tiger's"on the WJCT TV Schedule page.
The PBS website also has a special section dedicated to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood that chronicles the show's history, where fans explore songs, behind-the-scene clips and short videos from the series.
Read the story behind the Doodle at Google.com.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.