Mister Rogers arrives carrying a teleprompter typewriter and shows how it types large letters. Mister Rogers checks Mr. Clemmons’ house while he is away. He tries the electric pins and looks at the neighbors’ pictures on the walls. Robert Delgado inquires about singing lessons. Mister Rogers shows some pictures of operas done in the neighborhood. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Pilot Ito asks the king for some time off to continue her opera studies. The king calls John Reardon to come to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to teach Ito.
Mister Rogers shows a traveling toothbrush and a picture book of dental equipment. While Mister Rogers has his teeth cleaned, the dentist explains what he is doing. Dr. Watson demonstrates how children should brush their teeth. In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Elaine suggests welcoming John Reardon with a welcoming song and a gift of a toothbrush. John Reardon will give singing lessons to Pilot Ito and she will give him flying lessons. King Friday wants John Reardon to make up an opera.
Mister Rogers checks to make sure everything is okay at Francois Clemmons’ studio while he is away. He looks at a book about animals and their teeth and uses a machine that makes animal sounds. John Reardon recruits Harriett Elizabeth Cow and Lady Aberlin for the opera. They will both play cows.
Mister Rogers shows sweet potatoes in different forms — one that is still a plant and one that has been made into a musical instrument. Francois Clemmons returns from his business trip. Chef Brockett decides to play a potato bug in the opera. King Friday XIII is too busy to play the part of the king, so everyone is hoping that Francois Clemmons will assume the role.
This early Neighborhood opera, one of 13 written by Fred Rogers, tells the whimsical musical story of Priscilla Cow (Betty Aberlin) who doesn’t want to be a cow.She’d rather be a potato bug, like her friend Horatio (Don Brockett).With the help of the farmer (Metropolitan Opera baritone John Reardon), his wife (Lady Elaine Fairchilde!), and the King (Francois Clemmons), she abandons her plans to run away to be a potato bug because she’s glad to be just who she is.
Watch full-length Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood programs. The first Monday of every month will feature programs from the early years 1968-1975. The third Monday of every month will feature programs from the “Theme Weeks” library 1979-2001.
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