Mr. Rogers Takes a New Direction

— -- After 33 years, PBS' longest-running series, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, is signing off. Fred Rogers, one of TV's most familiar faces, says it's time to say goodbye.

"All along, I felt that we should build a library of tapes of various themes of childhood. And I felt that we had accomplished that," says Rogers, 73.

"We have about a thousand programs on tape that can be used over and over again," he says. "I mean, if people can watch The Wizard of Oz once a year, they can watch the Neighborhood once a day."

Children have been faithful to Rogers for years. The target audience — 2- to 6-year-olds — just loves to watch their avuncular TV friend change into a sweater and comfy shoes for a half-hour "visit," complete with his signature sign-on, "Won't you be my neighbor?"

The last new episode, taped in December, will air in August. But the show will go on. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood will continue in reruns from a rotating library of more than 300 episodes.

Don't Say the R-word

But don't say the word "retirement." Rogers is vowing to keep a steady agenda. Right now he's working on the narration for a traveling planetarium show, The Sky Above Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Then there are several books and educational guides for teachers and frequent speaking engagements to keep him busy.

Rogers is also turning to the Internet. He's working on one Web site for children and another that doles out his wisdom, for adults.

"I have an idea of doing programs for people as they're going to sleep," Rogers says. "You know, I would be able to read stories and the children would be able to see the books right on the computer. And I don't know another voice in America that could put people to sleep better than this one."

One way or another, Mister Rogers might leave the neighborhood, but the neighborhood isn't leaving him. He'll keep working with children with that same voice, which is just as sweet and gentle when he's off camera, speaking to adults.