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MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD {POTATO BUGS AND COWS OPERA} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of programs for young children, hosted by Fred Rogers, which uses puppets and music to teach patience and cooperation, while providing guidance to help children cope with feelings and frustrations. This program features one of the operas that Mister Rogers has created for the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where hand-puppet characters interact with humans in the mythical kingdom of King Friday XIII. Using a picture book, Rogers begins to tell the story of his new, make-believe opera called "Potato Bugs and Cows." In the opera, Priscilla Cow grows weary of her bovine state and longs to be a potato bug instead. When she starts taking potato bug lessons from Horatio Potatobug, her mother persuades the farmer to have a word with the troubled Priscilla. Even the intervention of King Clemmons cannot persuade the stubborn Priscilla. However, when a handsome new bull arrives in the neighborhood and befriends Priscilla, she gladly chooses to remain a cow. Priscilla Cow, her new friend Joe Bull, and the others celebrate her decision in a barnyard square dance that concludes the opera. After the opera, Mister Rogers discusses the importance of good friends.

Details

  • NETWORK: WQED / PBS
  • DATE: April 13, 1973
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:29:10
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:28995
  • GENRE: Children's programs; Music
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Children's programs; Puppets
  • SERIES RUN: WQED (Pittsburgh, PA) - TV series, 1968-1970; PBS - 1971-2001
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Bob Walsh … Producer, Director
  • Betsy Nadas … Associate Producer
  • David Newell … Associate Producer
  • Fred Rogers … Writer, Composer, For "Potato Bug" opera, Host, Puppeteer
  • Johnny Costa … Music (Misc. Credits), Musical Director, Music Arrangements by, For "Potato Bug" Opera
  • Betty Aberlin … Cast, Priscilla Cow
  • Don Brockett … Cast, Horatio Potatobug
  • Joe Negri … Cast, Joe Bull
  • Francois Clemmons … Cast, King Clemmons
  • John Reardon … Cast, the Farmer
  • Audrey Roth … Cast, Idaho Potatobug
  • Yoshi Ito … Cast
  • Bob Trow … Cast