Much ado is being made of the fact that “Mr. Rogers Neighourhood” celebrated its 50th birthday yesterday.
Lost in the shuffle seems to be the fact that the show actually began in Toronto five years earlier than its American premier.
The programme originated in 1963 as “Misterogers” on CBC-TV. It was re-branded in 1966 as “Misterogers’ Neighbourhood.”
The national U.S. debut occurred on February 19th, 1968. It aired on PBS until August 31st 2001.
Fred Rogers, came to Canada from the U.S. at the same time Ernie Coombs arrived. Combs became a Canadian citizen and starred for years as “Mr. Dressup.”