Mr. Rogers' Strict Behind-The-Scenes Rules
Every detail of 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood' was intentional.
![Mr. Rogers' Strict Behind-The-Scenes Rules](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/4/5/742645_320x180.jpg?v=2)
For 895 episodes over 31 seasons, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood entertained generations of children. Who can forget Mr. Rogers' ritual of changing shoes or traveling to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe?
But what was it like to work on the show? Two writers gave us a sneak peek by listing the nine rules of writing for the show.
![Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood was a gentle, understated television show that aired from 1968 to 2001. The show was celebrated for](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/3/7/742637.jpg?v=2)
![Fred Rogers The host and creator Fred Rogers insisted that every word used on the show be intentional. He did not want to mislead or confuse his presc](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/3/8/742638.jpg?v=2)
![For example, when a nurse was taking his blood pressure and said, I'm going to blow this up, Rogers insisted they redub the line to say, I'm going](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/3/5/742635.jpg?v=2)
![Speaking Freddish Two writers on the show called the show's required precise language Freddish and went on to create a parody pamphlet detailing t](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/4/4/742644.jpg?v=2)
![The 9 Rules of Freddish State the idea you wish to 1. express as clearly as possible, and in terms preschoolers can understand. It is dangerous to pla](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/4/0/742640.jpg?v=2)
![Rephrase the idea, bearing in mind that preschoolers 3. cannot yet make subtle distinctions and need to be redirected to authorities they trust. Ask y](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/4/1/742641.jpg?v=2)
![5. Rephrase any element that suggests certainty. Your parents can tell you where it is safe to play. Rephrase your idea to 6. eliminate any element th](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/4/3/742643.jpg?v=2)
![8. Rephrase your new statement, repeating the first step. Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is important to try to lis](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/4/2/742642.jpg?v=2)
![Mr. Roger's Details Rogers' level of detail wasn't superfluous. He studied child development and worked closely with many academic researchers, includ](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/3/4/742634.jpg?v=2)
![The Neighborhood's Legacy LILLI As simple as it was, every detail of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood was intentional and academically informed, resulting in](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/pictofact/6/3/6/742636.jpg?v=2)