Daniel The Animated Tiger to ‘Replace’ Mr. Rogers

If you were a fan of the PBS show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, then you will remember the lovable tiger puppet Daniel. Even though Fred Rogers is no longer with us, his legacy is living on through Daniel Tiger.

Beginning today (September 3), Daniel will be presiding over the old neighborhood, in a show called Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Daniel will be sporting a zip-up cardigan and sneakers much like his predecessor, Fred Rogers. He will be joined, by O the Owl (whose uncle was the original X the Owl), according to The NY Times.

The show is geared towards children 2- 4-years old. Much like the original series, the show will be filled with life-lessons, music and adventures.

Fred Roger’s widow, Joanne, revealed to the NY Times that Fred had searched for a successor, but was unable to find one.  Some have not been too keen on revamping the show, but Joanne Rogers seems to have given her stamp of approval.”I must say I spent a very nervous time thinking about what Daniel would be like,” said Joanne Rogers. “I’m in my 80s now, and I grew up with cartoons, the slapstick kind of things that went on, and I never much cared for it.”

Only Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is nothing like that. According to Mrs. Rogers, “I like that little Daniel is so dear, but he’s also very, very human, and he has his feelings.”

More to the point, she says, “The subjects being dealt with are Fred’s philosophy.”

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