Mr Rogers speaks: four hour video memoir of Fred Rogers

The Archive of American Television has posted an epic, four-hour interview with Fred Rogers, better known as TV children's entertainer and world-beating mensch Mr Rogers, of Mr Rogers' Neighborhood. You may recall Rogers's classic testimony to the Congress on public TV spending, which many credit with rescuing public TV from budget cuts. The interview (which I'm about a quarter of the way through) is every bit as sweet and wonderful as his classic testimony, and would make an excellent audiotrack for you to run in the background today.

Fred Rogers Interview | Archive of American Television (via The Mary Sue)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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http://profile.yahoo.com/O5B3KSIUGOHQ6KKNT6KHATXAXY Helen

He is such a wonderfully nice, decent and God fearing man. I wish there were more of them in this world.
- BarBarSeven
  
  Hmmm… God fearing? I dunno. I always associate that term with passive aggressive intolerance. Mr. Rogers is such a decent human being he’s one of the few people I can imagine who would profess his faith but truly—and I mean TRULY—never judge others.
  
  This guy is past mensch. He’s amazing. And this interview is so amazing. Thanks for posting.
http://twitter.com/strugglngwriter strugglngwriter

I wish more of us that listened and watched him as a kid would have heeded his world view.
http://profile.yahoo.com/FEQODL5DKRPZ4M2WRXVPPPGVMM Little

Cory and the Boing Boing set will also enjoy how Fred was a defender of people’s right to copy TV shows with the VCR. His testimony was an influence on the crucial Supreme Court ruling that legalized the device. As a TV host, he actually appreciated viewers’ ability to have more control over when they watched his show.

“…they then become much more active in the programming of their family’s television life. Very frankly, I am opposed to people being programmed by others.”

His Wiki entry has more of his testimony, and a link to Cornell’s copy of the court ruling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers#VCR