The last original episode of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" will air Friday.
The episode actually was taped earlier this year.
Even though it is the last original show, the program will not be going off of the air anytime soon.
The show will continue in re-runs.
And don't think that Fred Rogers is going to retire. He will focus on his Web sites, publications and special
programs with museums after wrapping his last few episodes next year,
the company said.
"After 50 years in television and 33 years as the creator and
host of
'Mister Rogers'
Neighborhood,' Fred Rogers is beginning a new
chapter in his outstanding career as an educator and role model for
children and adults," said the statement from Family
Communications, which produces the show. "Fred is not retiring."
Rogers has produced about 10 new episodes in each of the last
few years, and almost 1,000 programs have been recorded in all.
Most shows now broadcast on
Public Broadcasting Service stations
are repeats, said George Miles, president of
WQED in Pittsburgh,
the station where the show is filmed.
Rogers' television career began in 1951 when he was hired as an
assistant producer for NBC. In 1953, he moved to Pittsburgh, near
his hometown of Latrobe, Pa., and began serving as producer and
puppeteer on the Pittsburgh television show "The Children's Corner."
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