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Today I’ll be answering questions that readers have sent to our tips-at-mentalfloss.com address. First up, Marika wanted to know:
“There are rumors floating about that Mr. Rogers had full-sleeves of tattoos. Since you covered black-light tattoos, why not shed some light on this one too?”
Ah, yes, it’s Mr. Rogers’ secret history as a heavily-inked Navy SEAL, a popular urban myth that, like so many other urban myths, is untrue. Fred Rogers never served in the military, and — as viewers learned in a segment that showed him swimming for daily exercise — he didn’t have any tattoos, or at least any that couldn’t be covered by a swimsuit. Alas, this is by far the mildest rumor out there about Mr. R — Snopes says some people actually believe the show got started because he had to do community service after being convicted of child molestation! Apparently, this “explains the lack of children on his program and the presence of adult characters with suggestive names, such as Mr. McFeely.” Needless to say, this one’s also false (”McFeely” was Fred Rogers’ middle name, thankyouverymuch).
Nonetheless, Mr. Rogers could be a tough guy if the situation called for it. Watch as he (gently, passive-aggressively) puts the smackdown on mean old Senator John Pastore in 1969:
Comments (9)
Comment
great post, Mary!
I read an interview with Fred in an Esquire a while back (one of their “What I’ve Learned” interviews) and he said one day, long after he’d retired, he got on a subway in NYC and everyone kind of looked at him, and he smiled, and then in unison they all started singing “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” I think he said it was one of the greatest feelings in the world.
posted by Mangesh on 9-7-2006 at 9:45 am
I find it fascinating that, at the very moment that Sen. Pastore was talking about having goosebumps from what Mr. Rogers was saying, that I had goosebumps too.
During my immature college years, we all made fun of Mr. Rogers. It was not until I was much older that I was mature enough to understand what a treasure he was.
Thank you, Fred. Won’t you be my neighbor?
posted by Brianron on 9-7-2006 at 10:30 am
Mr. Rogers is unsmearable!
posted by beajerry on 9-7-2006 at 12:35 pm
God, if only people still cared this much about quality programing for kids.
posted by Marika on 9-7-2006 at 5:46 pm
What nice man MisteRogers was and what good news he brought to children and adults. We need more nice men and much more good news. Wouldn’t it be great if Fred Rogers could address our leaders in Washington about what to do when they are mad mad mad! Instead of invade!
posted by Karli on 9-12-2006 at 12:30 pm
I heard that Mr. R was a Presbyterian minister. True? (That’s one rumor I can believe!)
posted by slick on 9-12-2006 at 1:22 pm
How lovely! I love a passionate, peaceful man; Mr Fred Rogers is a fine example. What an inspiring gentleman.
posted by Char on 9-12-2006 at 1:51 pm
I loved watching Mr. Rogers, even after I was grown, because you could tell that he truly cared for and respected not only children, but all people. He was truly a lovely man.
posted by Lisa on 9-13-2006 at 10:50 pm
Mr. Rogers was the best!! He was definately a great father figure. It’s amazing how even as an adult you get that warm all over childhood feeling just by singing “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”.
posted by Lynn on 3-28-2007 at 8:50 am