Google Honors Mister Rogers With Stop-Motion Doodle

People across the nation are waking up to a new Google Doodle that is sure to bring a smile to millions of faces. It's an extended Doodle done in memory of the first day of filming of the iconic children's television show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The initial Doodle is a still of stop-motion animation of children gathered around an old school boob tube, watching Rogers. But when you press play on the animation it takes you to a YouTube video that features Rogers soft voice and the unforgettable tune "Won't You Be My Neighbor."

The Doodle features Trolley and a diverse group of kids, including a darker skinned child in a wheelchair. Just under two minutes in length, the stop-motion is a welcome sight and reminder of all things that are good and wholesome, especially when, first thing in the morning, you might need to check on all sorts of unfun situations. If you absolutely must have screen time this morning, this Doodle is a good way to start your day.

It's been 51 years since Rogers filmed the first episode of what would become America's most treasured children's television show and an oasis of comfort and acceptance for millions of growing children. Though the episode didn’t air until February 19, 1968, it was filmed months prior on September 21, 1967. In 1999, Rogers was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. The final episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood aired on August 21, 2001.

“I’m so thrilled that Google is celebrating Fred and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood with this charming tribute," says Rogers' wife, Joanne, in a statement. "This stroll through the Neighborhood is delightful, and Fred’s gentle kindness is beautifully captured in the Doodle.”

The Mister Rogers Google Doodle comes with a full cast and crew. It was directed by Melissa Crowton and Olivia Huynh and made in collaboration with Fred Rogers Productions, The Fred Rogers Center, and BixPix Entertainment. This Doodle also comes on the heels of the well-received documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor, which was produced by Morgan Neville. And there's also a dramatic feature -- and not a biopic, as previously discussed by critics -- in the works about Mister Rogers, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Marielle Heller. That film, You Are My Neighbor, focuses on the friendship between Rogers and esteemed magazine writer Tom Junod.

After viewing the doodle, visitors can dig deeper into the behind the scenes images and Rogers' own history as a devout Christian who eventually became a Presbyterian minister who started his show out on Canadian television. Visitors are shuttled directly to either Rogers' personal sites or Google Arts & Culture, where they can learn more about Rogers via the online museum.

Today's children know more about Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, an animated cartoon that follows the antics and adventures of the son of Daniel Striped Tiger from the original Mister Rogers show. However, there is a resurgence of parents who prefer to have their children watch the original show, which is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and on PBSkids.org for streaming.