Sad news from the world of PBS: The Chicago Tribune is reporting that starting today, Mister Rogers will disappear from the schedules of most PBS stations, including those in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Apparently, ratings for the show have declined, and many stations want to make room for new (read: glitzier and more assertively academic) programming.

Yes, a TV show which gets your kids psyched about science and teaches them impressive vocabulary words is a definite plus. But Mister Rogers taught kids about the bigger picture: kindness, frustration, anxiety, and the overall messiness of real life. (Which apparently, this is a perfect example of.)

But as Mister Rogers himself always assured us, you can never go down the drain. Do your part to save this classic show. It’s as easy as clicking on savemisterrogers.com, a grassroots campaign that even has the support of Joanne Rogers, Fred Rogers’ widow.

Yes, yes, we know you’re busy. But honestly. It’s the neighborly thing to do.

–Posted by Stephanie Booth

Filed under Six and Under, Spit Take

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