I absolutely adore Fred Rogers’ work, and I sometimes wondered if MY WIFE and I might be the only adults around who watch the show with no children present. Now I know for sure we’re not – and how wonderful to know that!

If you’d like, my own tribute to Fred Rogers (a written one) is at…

http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com/2008/03/birthdays.html

Thank you for this. It made my day happier.

Lady A– Believe it or not, the memory of Paul Tripp (Mr. I. Magination) has survived at least one more generation. I grew up on his album “Billy On A Bike” and the one where he meets Rip Van Winkle. I ripped it from vinyl to MP3 for my own enjoyment, but I think it’s also here:

http://www.tvparty.com/lostbirthday.html
http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=1239585&song=Mr+I.+Magination+Meets+Rip+Van+Winkle+-+Side+2

Lady Aberlin Denied

When I grew up
I wanted to be Lady Aberlin
from the land of make-believe
soft-spoken, reserved, ever-so-nice
always-so-kind

But ladies need backing
Strength is required to slay dragons
dig moats–protect the castle

In my world
of not-so-make-believe
knights were too busy
polishing their armor, admiring
their reflections

I learned a bit
of the dragon’s fire
how to wield my own sword
draw a quick bow

Lady Aberlin calloused
behind armor forged of necessity
but chafed at the steel

I kept waiting
for that white horse
whose rider would arrive
Lady Aberlin would don proper silk
and soften her stride

But crusades are long
the best knights
always seemed to be absent
imprisoned, or otherwise occupied

I no longer wait
at the tower window
for one good knight to set Aberlin free
I’ve learned to ride–securely astride–
bought my own horse

But, ah, there are nights
when the wine is sweet and the moon is full
that I sit by my weathered window
and a wish still rises
to a distant star

9/12/2009 Cheri Neuman Herald
———————
Thanks, Jonathan Coulton and Betty Aberlin, for the poetic inspiration.

Just the other day, after probably six or year years of not seeing the show, I stumbled across a “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” episode on TV (the one where Fred interviews Lou “The Incredible Hulk” Ferrigno and Bill Bixby). The show, as usual, included a visit to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Lady Aberlin did much to maintain a cheerful, comforting environment. She made me smile then, as she did 20 some years ago when I would look forward to watching the show (which already was mostly in syndication) each morning on PBS with my very small children. I think I looked forward to those shows more than my kids did!

The shows helped honed my parenting skills, although I don’t think I consciously approached viewing them day after day with that objective in mind. I just thought they were great TV for kids, and great opportunities for parents to spend with their kids. Fred’s excellent show on divorce, in particular, would help me not long after I first saw it when I went through one myself. It gave me ideas on how to broach the subject with my own kids and how to reassure them that my love for them would be unchanged despite the imminent split of their mom and dad. I have always been grateful to PBS, Fred and the show’s cast for that.

I tip my had to Betty for taking the time to acknowledge your work, your song and your toast to a wonderful, beautiful woman, Jonathon. Like the others, I find the song tuneful, enjoyable and very appropriate.

When people asked me as a kid, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, I would sometimes reply, “An architect, or Mr. Rogers.” And it was true. I longed to grow up and write songs and be funny and entertain people, especially children.

And you know what? I did it! I’m a children’s entertainer! OK, the children I entertain mostly are my four daughters. But I’ve also been a working children’s entertainer, a singer/songwriter/comedian for about sixteen years now! I was in a duo, “Kit and Kaboodle” for a decade. And now I have a solo show called, “Rusty’s Rocking Jamboree!”

Fred Rogers and I aren’t related. But my mother once had dinner with HIS mother! Fred Rogers was actually an ordained Presbyterian Minister. The Minister at Mr. Rogers’ church when he was a boy (and his neighbor) was my Great Uncle, my mother’s uncle!

Did you know Fred Rogers went to High School with Arnold Palmer!

I wrote Mr. Rogers a fan letter in 1996. I sent him a Kit and Kaboodle album as a token, as some kind of proof his influence, a tribute. He was very kind. He took the time and wrote back a very nice letter. He also sent me a photocopy of an article Life had done on him too.

Fred Rogers was a kind man. He was also a REALLY good song writer. He knew how to be simple. And some of his harmonies and progressions can be tricky as all get out. He didn’t dumb down the music. And he was FUNNY! People forget how witty, biting and insightful the satire of The Land of Make Believe could be. Maybe because his comedy wasn’t cruel. Even a pompous oaf like King Friday remained loyal and lovable. Lady Elaine was never evil, just ornery and mischievous.

Here’s a beautiful video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcvRMHz4mb4

And Fred surrounded himself with talent. Johnny Costa was a master. The background music to each episode is peppered with flashes of genius, little musical jokes, touches and flourishes. The way Fred Rogers could flow from conversation into song and then back, it’s a tribute to both Fred and Johnny! They made music seem effortless.

And Betty Aberlin was right in there. A beautiful actress and singer. She went for YEARS talking to puppets without ever getting smarmy or saccharine! Not a false note. Oh my goodness, I just IMDBed her! She was in “Dogma” and “Jersey Girl”! I’ve seen both of those movies and didn’t notice. Obviously Kevin Smith is a fan too!

I’m rambling. I’m sorry.

Jonathan, this is a gorgeous song. A lovely tribute. Thank you. When I grow up, if I can learn how to write songs half as good as this one, then you will still write songs twice as good as mine!

drat. yat: yet another typo.

fyi the Neighborhood is in jeopardy…see: savemisterrogers.com

wow! Martha – I am thrilled that you heard my WYEP radio show (Stone Soup, Armadillo Mermaid) – it was such freedom! – a sequence of an evening might be Tom Rush, Lenny Bruce, Benny Golson & a sory by Flannery O’Connor – real Public Access Radio as distinct from National Public Radio. As in, you want air time? Go right ahead.

& Chapomatic? Fear not. My scene in Kevin’s latest film wound up on the cutting-room floor *shuddering sob* so I will have to wait until the DVD “out-takes” to see whether I got the Pittsburgh accent correct, or in any way acquitted myself.

Jonathan? Thanks for the head’s up = apologies for hijacking the thread, and many thanks for the cyber soap-box.

with love,

Betty

and Jonathan W. – you do me great honor. I think coming from a broken home as I did, with a tv and the kindly voices of radio announcers as father-figures, made me overmuch loyal to the program – that I might be part of giving what I had so longed to receive…and did receive in my young years from a salad of Milton Berle, Kukla, Fran & Ollie, and Mister I. Magination (the unsung Paul Tripp). Thank you for your lovely affirmation.

Averagejon? Many other people fused Lady Aberlin with Lady Elaine Fairchilde. the puppet shadow side of Fred, named after his adopted sister Elaine – she who countered Lady Aberlins unfailing sweetness with mischief and the tlling of truth to power. Perhaps together we made up one person…?

Eric? I tried but could not find the lacivious ladies song…I am not too computer savy though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Rcfll2gCo

I’m sure that made your fannish heart squee, Jonathan. Heck, I had a moment of absolute squee for you.

Thanks for brightening my Singles Awareness Day. Code Monkey like Muu……Muu.

Very soothing. I love it

abundant gratitudes!

“Correct as Usual, Lord Coulton”

It’s been a goosebumpy kind of day. I spent much of my commute today listening to “A Talk with George” (which I just discovered) again and again, and words can’t express how much I love that song.

And OMG Betty Aberlin left a comment! I. Am. Freaking. Out.

OK, think of the kindest, gentlest, sweetest man you could ever imagine. Now think of him on an earnest public television show, looking straight into the camera and telling you that you — YES, YOU, RIGHT THERE! — are a wonderful and special person, just by being you. No matter what you look like or if you mess up and say something mean or get angry or scared. Mr. Rogers loved you. By all accounts, he was just that marvelous, wise and kind in person, too, and never too busy or famous to speak to a child, or a former child, who recognized him.

Half of his show took place in his house — he’d always start it off by changing from work shoes and jacket into his sweater and sneakers, while singing “It’s a Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood.” Then he might get a visit from Mr. McFeely, the mailman, with a special delivery, perhaps a film of a crayon factory tour, for example. We might watch him make something in his kitchen or visit with a neighbor. Then, he’d sit down on this bench seat in front of a track, and a toy trolley would come out and whistle at him, and we’d follow the trolley into the Neighborhood of Make Believe.

And that is where beautiful, sweet young Lady Aberlin (a human) lived, along with a man in a dog suit called Bob Dog, a human handyman, and puppets: monarchs (King Friday XVIII, Queen Sara and Prince Tuesday), a grouchy old lady who lived in a merry go round called Lady Elaine Fairchild, X the Owl, shy Daniel Tiger, and of all things a chair-manufacturing puppet guy called Cornflake S. Pecially. Adventures ensued, of course, but at the end the trolley would always take us back into Mr. Rogers’ living room for the goodbye song.

It’s the kind of show you outgrow pretty quickly when you hit elementary school, because it’s for “babies”, but never, EVER forget. Once your “I’m a big kid now” defiance wears off, usually by late teens or college, you can see again how awesome that show was. That show was magnificent, a ray of sunshine and kindness, and I hope it’s never forgotten.

The day Mr. Rogers died I was driving my car when I heard it on NPR. (Like Loudon Wainwright III, look up his song “Hank and Fred” on iTunes.) I cried and cried, and I think I had to pull over. I am crying now just thinking about it and listening to JoCo’s beautiful new song.

I thought it was great that she wrote in and, what is more, loved the song

Then a message from Ms. Aberlin, Oh My!

The Yinzer’s Dahntan might joy one. !

I can vouch that that is indeed Betty Aberlin. And I can also attest that fans often remember details of their favorite shows better than the performers do. Stephen Fry was once terrified by a man in the street who screamed “Flanders pigeon murderer!” at him…until the man apologized and said he had just assumed Fry would recognize the “Blackadder” reference.

…Mister Rogers in a blood-stained sweater!

I’m really going to have to find out who this guy is now!

I can’t imagine a more wonderful surprise – and it is a lovely song, with discerning lyrics, on many levels. One of the reasons for the mumu (I know the one you mean – from Afghanistan, I think) aside from the no-budget-for-wardrobe, was the Lady A, was not supposed to be “alluring”, but a Big Sister creature – Fred was very clear on this. Hence the shapless empire dresses, which are worn over and over, ovrr the years. This Friday one of the “operas” airs: Windstorm in Bubbleland. I came to Pgh. and found my eay into the Neighborhood because I followed a very funny parody of “Girl From Ipanima” I wanted to sing. It was in THE MAD SHOW (a revue based on Mad Magazine), and unbeknownst to be, it had been written under a false name (Esteban Ria Nido) by Stephen Sondheim. It was called “Boy From”. This is more than you wanted to know, but the “softer side” might lie within the pages of a book of poems just published (The White Page Poems), and I do have a bit of back-up cred, having been t=in the original company of Getting My Act Together. There’s a funny bit on utube under Alice at the Palace, about halfway through The Lobster Quadrille….but I’m wandering. No one has ever seen fit to honor my character with a song – since Fred. Women continually approached Lady Aberlin’s mu mu and asked whether she was pregnant over the years. Daniel Striped Tiger was perhaps my only child. I will ber the wonderful heaven & earth ’round my shoulders from now on, and listen to this lovely song again and again.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will run and tell King Tuesday immediately!

with love,

Betty Aberlin

Anyway, never posted here before and just wanted to tell you thanks!

Also, the melody reminds me a little of the song that Michael Caine sang in The Muppet Christmas Carol.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Muppet_Christmas_Carol

I had confabulated the puppets Lady Elaine (Lady __) and King Friday (who wore a blue cloak). Somehow, that didn’t seem like a good subject for a love song.

I’m glad I can stop shuddering now.

I feel like I’ve just spent a sunny afternoon on a beach being fanned with palm leaves by muumuu-clad singing ladies.

Thank you!

Well done!

No muumuu, but you can see what JoCo’s going on about anyway.