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Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor

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WQED MULTIMEDIA TO REBROADCAST
‘ FRED ROGERS: AMERICA'S FAVORITE NEIGHBOR’
Program to be released nationally as a fundraising special January 1, 2004

PITTSBURGH, PA – WQED Multimedia will premier “Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor” on Wednesday, November 19 from 8 - 9:30 p.m. on WQED tv13. The program will be aired as a 90-minute fundraising special and released as a prime time special to PBS stations across the country on New Year’s Day at
9:30 p.m. ET.

The special is a biography on the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, who passed away February 27, 2003 after a remarkable 50-year career in television.

“This collaboration between WQED, FCI and PBS was created due to the overwhelming response from the millions of people touched by Fred’s life,” said Robert Petrilli, WQED Multimedia’s senior vice president and COO. “I was privileged to have known Fred and honored to have been a part of this project.”

Fred Rogers was truly an extraordinary man. He made more than 900 television programs designed to help children understand our often-baffling world. He was everybody's neighbor and his simple wisdom delighted and inspired people of all ages.

“Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor” is an intimate portrait of this reluctant TV star, full of treasured memories, rare vintage clips and behind-the-scenes details about his life and work. The program follows Rogers from his early years in the small town of Latrobe PA, to his early days in television as a stagehand at NBC in New York; From his impassioned 1969 appearance before the U.S. Senate, to his 2002 visit to the White House to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom – America’s highest civilian honor.

Also included is Eddie Murphy’s notorious spoof on Saturday Night Live, Rogers’ numerous awards and remembrances from colleagues and friends.

The program is hosted by actor Michael Keaton, who grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was a stagehand on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which was taped at WQED Multimedia studios in Pittsburgh.

During the broadcast of “Fred Rogers: America’s Favorite Neighbor”, viewers will be encouraged to help support the mission Fred Rogers dedicated 50 years of service to by making a member contribution to their local public television station. Commemorative keepsakes, including a DVD and 2 volume VHS set containing two hours of bonus footage, will be available to contributors. The video tribute is the most comprehensive program covering Fred Rogers’s life and work.

The tribute program will continue to run on public television stations after the January 1 national release. The program has been made possible through the generous help of PNC Financial Services, Eat’n Park and The Heinz Endowments.

“Fred Rogers: America's Favorite Neighbor” is a co-production of WQED Multimedia and Family Communications, Inc.

Family Communications, Inc., the Pittsburgh, PA-based non-profit corporation, was founded in 1971 by Fred Rogers. The company continues to carry on his legacy through a wide range of materials dedicated to young children, their families and those who support them. Our websites are www.fci.org (adults) and www.pbs.org/rogers (children).

For additional information, please e-mail: promotion@wqed.org