Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Spinoff Cartoon

I miss Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.  It was one of the ultimate classics of children's television.  Since Fred Rogers passed away in 2003, I did not think we would ever see any kind of continuation of his show.  After all, who could replace his friendly, soothing, one-of-a-kind personality?  PBS and The Fred Rogers Company have found a way.  Coming soon to a public TV station near you, prepare yourselves for a spinoff cartoon called Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. 

Daniel Tiger, one of the puppets from the original show's popular Neighborhood of Make-Believe segments (originally voiced by Rogers himself), will be animated and serve as host in the same way that Fred Rogers did.  PBS describes the show as "a new animated multi-platform series inspired by one of the most beloved PBS classic television series. The new preschool series is an animated version of the original Neighborhood of Make Believe in which a four-year-old Daniel Tiger is the star of the show who talks directly to the home audience inviting them in to his world."

Apparently, the lead character will not be the original Daniel Striped Tiger, but his offspring.  According to PBS, "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood is based on the next generation of the original characters. All of the original characters have grown up and now have preschoolers of their own. The stories revolve around a four-year-old Daniel Tiger, son of the original Daniel Tiger, and his preschool friends. The series uses musical strategies grounded in Fred Rogers’ landmark curriculum and music. In this way, the songs will give parents and kids a concrete way to practice important pro-social skills together."

So we will likely see new versions of other characters like Trolley, Henrietta Pussycat, King Friday XIII, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, Prince Tuesday, Queen Sara Saturday, X the Owl, and all the rest.

If you have preschoolers in your household, this looks to be a great show to share with them.  It is set to debut on PBS in Fall 2012.