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The Last Interview
Fred Rogers: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations
Fred Rogers's gentle spirit and passion for children's television takes center stage in this collection of interviews spanning his nearly forty-year career
Nearly twenty years after his death, Fred Rogers remains a source of comfort and fond memories for generations who grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood . Over the course of his career, Rogers revolutionized children's television and changed the way experts thought about the educational power of media. But perhaps his most lasting legacy was demonstrating the power of simply being nice to other people. In this collection of interviews, including his fiery (for him) 1969 senate testimony that saved PBS and his final interview with Diane Rehm, Rogers's gentle spirit and compassionate approach to life continues to be an inspiration. An introduction by David Bianculli provides brilliantly contextualizes the interviews and offers a contemporary reading of Rogers's storied career.
Nearly twenty years after his death, Fred Rogers remains a source of comfort and fond memories for generations who grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood . Over the course of his career, Rogers revolutionized children's television and changed the way experts thought about the educational power of media. But perhaps his most lasting legacy was demonstrating the power of simply being nice to other people. In this collection of interviews, including his fiery (for him) 1969 senate testimony that saved PBS and his final interview with Diane Rehm, Rogers's gentle spirit and compassionate approach to life continues to be an inspiration. An introduction by David Bianculli provides brilliantly contextualizes the interviews and offers a contemporary reading of Rogers's storied career.
126 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2021
17 people are currently reading
466 people want to read
About the author
Fred Rogers
123 books755 followersFred McFeely Rogers was an American educator, minister, songwriter, and television host. Rogers was the host of the television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in production from 1968 to 2001. Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 12, 2021
What an astonishingly singular person.
March 27, 2021
A collection of six interviews with Fred Rogers over the years, extending from the first before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications in 1969 to his last interview with Diane Rehm in 2002 before his death in 2003.
From some of the interviews:
"The woman who was the director of the nursery school told me that she had never seen the children use puppets, and there were puppets all around. She said they used them imaginatively when I would come with my puppets. She made an analogy to a father of one of the children several years before. He was a sculptor. He would come to the school once a week just to fashion clay in the midst of the children, not to teach sculpting, but to show how you enjoy it in front of the children. He would come and love that clay in front of the children one day a week. She said that never before or since had the children used clay so imaginatively as when that man used to come and love it in front of them. Nothing didactic about it."
"I think one of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is the gift of your honest self."
"We're still one of the islands that encourage quiet and some space to think. We hear every day from people saying how grateful they are for some time of calm."
"All I can do is be myself. I've had the grace to be able to do that. I walk into the studio and I think, 'Let some word that is heard be Thine.'"
"You know, my mother used to say, a long time ago, whenever there would be any really---catastrophe that was in the movies or on the air, she would say, 'Always look for the helpers. There will always be helpers, just on the sidelines.'"
"So maybe you'll...take some time to think about those who have cared so deeply for you that you're really nourished in this whole life because of knowing them."
"...how can I say how grateful I am for what I've been able to do and be. How can I ever express my gratitude enough?"
"I think that (giving thanks) is one of the most important things that there is. 'Eucharisteo' in Greek is 'thanksgiving.'"
"You know, we have pieces of the people that have cared about us all through our lives, and they're all part of us know. And so we represent, each one of us represents, so many investments from others. No one of us is alone."
"...I have no fear of dying. And, you know, I would be very glad to talk with, with anybody, about the joy of going on. You know, what's next? It'll be fun, too. I have a great trust in God's constant care; this is just one chapter in a long, long book: this part that we call 'being on Earth,' you know?"
"'I was walking this far off the ground,' Rogers said, smiling at the memory and holding his hand a foot above the floor. 'You know, there are special times and there are extra special times. I feel that the real drama of life is never center stage, it's always in the wings. It's never with the spotlight on, it's usually something that you don't expect at all.'"
From some of the interviews:
"The woman who was the director of the nursery school told me that she had never seen the children use puppets, and there were puppets all around. She said they used them imaginatively when I would come with my puppets. She made an analogy to a father of one of the children several years before. He was a sculptor. He would come to the school once a week just to fashion clay in the midst of the children, not to teach sculpting, but to show how you enjoy it in front of the children. He would come and love that clay in front of the children one day a week. She said that never before or since had the children used clay so imaginatively as when that man used to come and love it in front of them. Nothing didactic about it."
"I think one of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is the gift of your honest self."
"We're still one of the islands that encourage quiet and some space to think. We hear every day from people saying how grateful they are for some time of calm."
"All I can do is be myself. I've had the grace to be able to do that. I walk into the studio and I think, 'Let some word that is heard be Thine.'"
"You know, my mother used to say, a long time ago, whenever there would be any really---catastrophe that was in the movies or on the air, she would say, 'Always look for the helpers. There will always be helpers, just on the sidelines.'"
"So maybe you'll...take some time to think about those who have cared so deeply for you that you're really nourished in this whole life because of knowing them."
"...how can I say how grateful I am for what I've been able to do and be. How can I ever express my gratitude enough?"
"I think that (giving thanks) is one of the most important things that there is. 'Eucharisteo' in Greek is 'thanksgiving.'"
"You know, we have pieces of the people that have cared about us all through our lives, and they're all part of us know. And so we represent, each one of us represents, so many investments from others. No one of us is alone."
"...I have no fear of dying. And, you know, I would be very glad to talk with, with anybody, about the joy of going on. You know, what's next? It'll be fun, too. I have a great trust in God's constant care; this is just one chapter in a long, long book: this part that we call 'being on Earth,' you know?"
"'I was walking this far off the ground,' Rogers said, smiling at the memory and holding his hand a foot above the floor. 'You know, there are special times and there are extra special times. I feel that the real drama of life is never center stage, it's always in the wings. It's never with the spotlight on, it's usually something that you don't expect at all.'"
April 5, 2021
Fred Rogers will always be my hero.
December 30, 2024
And this is what...this is what I give. I give an expression of care, every day, to each child. To help him realize that he is unique. I end the program by saying, "You've made this day a special day, by just your being you. There's no person in the whole world like you. And I like you just the way you are." And I feel that if we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health.
...
I'd just like to be remembered for-for being a compassionate human being, who happened to be fortunate enough to be born at a time where there was this fabulous thing called television that could allow me to use all the talents that I'd been given. Yeah.
...
I'd just like to be remembered for-for being a compassionate human being, who happened to be fortunate enough to be born at a time where there was this fabulous thing called television that could allow me to use all the talents that I'd been given. Yeah.
January 2, 2026
As a collection of interviews this is exactly what I expected. It truly emphasized his kindness and authenticity. Just like in the show Mr. Rogers speaks of the importance of loving others, showing compassion, and our need for human connection. A nostalgic read and reminder of the influence Fred Rogers has had on generations of children.
September 21, 2022
Loved having the chance to “hear” this king, gentle soul speak. So many nuggets of wisdom. Short and impactful.
July 2, 2025
A great collection of interviews and I’m not ashamed that a couple times I was teary.
Just a great person that we can all aspire to be more similar to.
Just a great person that we can all aspire to be more similar to.
February 27, 2025
Today is actually the anniversary of Mr. Rogers passing. 💔 What an incredible human being. We were so lucky to have him.
April 21, 2022
A short, wonderful & inspiring read
December 14, 2025
I will never not believe that Fred Rogers was one of the most beautiful souls to ever grace this planet.
I've been feeling extremely . . . glum - for lack of a better word - lately. Nothing seemed to lift me out of it until I read this, and it literally felt like my heart was warming. The compassion Mr. Rogers had for people, especially for children, is unmatched. He had a way of making you feel like you were still a child, in the best way possible. Like you were still being nurtured and watched and appreciated under his care.
And that it's okay. Many children will do what adults might consider inappropriate things for their age when they happen to be feeling stressful. Well, all they're doing is going back to an earlier time to help their feelings at the moment. It doesn't mean they're going to stay there all the time; it just means that they're regrouping so that they can take the next step.
There are so many beautiful things that were said in these interviews that felt completely genuine. This is just who Mr. Rogers was, and we were so incredibly lucky to have had him. Here are just a couple:
I said, "People love honesty. They like to be in touch with those who are honest and real." Don't you? I mean, don't you like to be with real people? People who aren't afraid to make mistakes, people who just know that life is a gift, and relish in it? Yeah.
You know, we have pieces of the people that have cared about us all through our lives, and they're all part of us now. And so we represent, each one of us represents, so many investments from others. No one of us is alone.
This is quite impossible to rate because I thoroughly enjoyed these interviews and everything Mr. Rogers said in them, but I would have loved it more if it was a bit longer and/or had photos.
Always 5 Stars for Mr. Rogers but 4 Stars for the book itself
I've been feeling extremely . . . glum - for lack of a better word - lately. Nothing seemed to lift me out of it until I read this, and it literally felt like my heart was warming. The compassion Mr. Rogers had for people, especially for children, is unmatched. He had a way of making you feel like you were still a child, in the best way possible. Like you were still being nurtured and watched and appreciated under his care.
And that it's okay. Many children will do what adults might consider inappropriate things for their age when they happen to be feeling stressful. Well, all they're doing is going back to an earlier time to help their feelings at the moment. It doesn't mean they're going to stay there all the time; it just means that they're regrouping so that they can take the next step.
There are so many beautiful things that were said in these interviews that felt completely genuine. This is just who Mr. Rogers was, and we were so incredibly lucky to have had him. Here are just a couple:
I said, "People love honesty. They like to be in touch with those who are honest and real." Don't you? I mean, don't you like to be with real people? People who aren't afraid to make mistakes, people who just know that life is a gift, and relish in it? Yeah.
You know, we have pieces of the people that have cared about us all through our lives, and they're all part of us now. And so we represent, each one of us represents, so many investments from others. No one of us is alone.
This is quite impossible to rate because I thoroughly enjoyed these interviews and everything Mr. Rogers said in them, but I would have loved it more if it was a bit longer and/or had photos.
Always 5 Stars for Mr. Rogers but 4 Stars for the book itself
April 17, 2021
Man taip labai norėjosi dar kažko tokio gero, ką aš pamačiau „A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood“ su Tom Hanks ir dokumentiniame „Won't You Be My Neighbor?“, kad užsisakiau šią mini interviu knygute, kuri nė iš tolo nešviečia ta šviesa, kuri spindi nuo Fred Rogers. Jis toks, šiek tiek, kaip a.a. mūsų prof. Kazlauskas, plius visi vaikų laidų herojai nuo bedančio Vaiduoklio iki Gustavo. Sakau „plius“, nes jo karjera kuriant laidas vaikams truko apie tris dešimtmečius. Ir kokio gerumo tos laidos!!! Nepamenu ar tai yra nors viename iš filmų, bet viename interviu Fred Rogers prisipažins, kad kai pirmą kartą pamatė TV, nebuvo sužavėtas. Nebuvo sužavėtas ten matytu tortų daužymu į snukį. Bet jautė, kad nori ir turi pabandyti TV pats. Jo pasirodymas JAV senate yra tiek šios mažos interviu knygutės, tiek vienas dokumentinio filmų highlight'ų https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy7l... kurį profilaktiškai nuo pykčio, neapykantos ir kitų tamsių dalykų, galima žiūrėti kone taip pat dažnai, kaip ir pirmąjį Susan Boyle pasirodymą „Britains Got Talent“. Tai tiek tos knygos reklamos, kviečiant susipažinti su Fred Rogers.
August 9, 2021
Mr. Rogers is someone who you loved as a child, made fun of as a teenager and respect and admire now as an adult as you long for the simpler times of life and a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The book consists of interviews done through the years and is a tribute to the man that influenced children's television as a pioneer.
Little do most people know beyond being the creator of the show, he wrote the episodes and the songs on the show. He believed that children deserved better television and that they needed to be able to express and understand their thoughts and feelings. The puppet characters were named after influential people and family members in his life. Daniel the Tiger, King Friday XIII, Queen Sarah, Henrietta Pussycat, X the Owl, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, as inhabitants of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, was a way for Mr. Rogers to talk about difficult topics in a way that children could understand and relate to.
Little do most people know beyond being the creator of the show, he wrote the episodes and the songs on the show. He believed that children deserved better television and that they needed to be able to express and understand their thoughts and feelings. The puppet characters were named after influential people and family members in his life. Daniel the Tiger, King Friday XIII, Queen Sarah, Henrietta Pussycat, X the Owl, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, as inhabitants of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, was a way for Mr. Rogers to talk about difficult topics in a way that children could understand and relate to.
April 21, 2022
Q: Did you, as a musician yourself, want to write pop songs in those day?
Fred: Oh, yes. In fact, I'd think, "Here you are right in Tin Pan Alley, and you're managing other people's music." Once when I was in college some people I knew got me an introduction to Jack Lawrence. He was one of the biggest songwriters in New York ... I went to visit him when I was a freshman. And I had five songs. I went to his brownstone. He was very welcoming. He asked me to play my songs, and I did. He listened, and he said, "Those songs have a lot of promise, Fred. How many more do you have?" I said, "A few". He said, "Well, to me a few means three, so that makes eight. I'd like you to come back when you have a barrel full." I was crestfallen. I was sure my five songs would end up on Broadway. But that was some of the best advice I ever got.
Fred: Oh, yes. In fact, I'd think, "Here you are right in Tin Pan Alley, and you're managing other people's music." Once when I was in college some people I knew got me an introduction to Jack Lawrence. He was one of the biggest songwriters in New York ... I went to visit him when I was a freshman. And I had five songs. I went to his brownstone. He was very welcoming. He asked me to play my songs, and I did. He listened, and he said, "Those songs have a lot of promise, Fred. How many more do you have?" I said, "A few". He said, "Well, to me a few means three, so that makes eight. I'd like you to come back when you have a barrel full." I was crestfallen. I was sure my five songs would end up on Broadway. But that was some of the best advice I ever got.
June 25, 2023
I very much enjoyed the last Interview with Fred Rogers. Mr. Rogers, quick read combination of multiple interviews and one article about his background as well as an excellent introduction. I read the book today in a single reading. It was great to reconnect with Mr. Rogers from his passionate Senate testimony, defending PBS and encouraging the kinds of television that he made for children, as well as feeling his gentle spirit come off these pages. Through these interviews, reminds me of both the popular documentary about Rogers and the Tom Hanks movie, both of which were also excellent, a great and quick read. While slightly morbid, as a last interview book, it does make me interested in reading the rest of the last interview series, including the one with David Foster Wallace, which I know I already have. Thumbs up
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
August 31, 2022
Though a lot of Fred Roger’s responses weren’t new to me, I still immensely enjoyed this book comprised of six of his last interviews. I most enjoyed each time he asked the interviewers the same questions they asked him. Sometimes he asked additional questions too!
As I read the interviews, I could hear his gentle, warm, and deliberate voice in my head, and like everything else he produced, I was just as comforted. One interviewer, Phil Hoose, writes, “And then the voice arrives and instantly everything is all right. It is a slow voice, offered with modulation and care. There are spaces between words and bigger spaces between sentences…Time slows by the syllable.”
Favorite moments:
Fred Rogers states that his grandfather, Mr. McFeely “was the kind of person who would really support your strivings for autonomy.” Wow, what a beautiful character trait I’ve never really thought about. Who helped me with my strivings for autonomy when I was a child? Who helped you? Every day I feel enormous gratitude to work in a place that provides a safe place for kids to learn, play, and grow. And really, it’s also a perfect place to encourage striving for autonomy too.
Though I’ve heard it before, I never tire of hearing Fred talk about how important it is to share your love for what you do with children or anyone really. He writes, “I think one of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is the gift of your honest self.”
Because I don’t have an early education background, I hadn’t heard of the term, “permissible regression” prior to reading this book of interviews. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and really enjoyed Fred Rogers’ song about it.
Perfect for fans of Fred Rogers or anyone who needs a hug from a book!
As I read the interviews, I could hear his gentle, warm, and deliberate voice in my head, and like everything else he produced, I was just as comforted. One interviewer, Phil Hoose, writes, “And then the voice arrives and instantly everything is all right. It is a slow voice, offered with modulation and care. There are spaces between words and bigger spaces between sentences…Time slows by the syllable.”
Favorite moments:
Fred Rogers states that his grandfather, Mr. McFeely “was the kind of person who would really support your strivings for autonomy.” Wow, what a beautiful character trait I’ve never really thought about. Who helped me with my strivings for autonomy when I was a child? Who helped you? Every day I feel enormous gratitude to work in a place that provides a safe place for kids to learn, play, and grow. And really, it’s also a perfect place to encourage striving for autonomy too.
Though I’ve heard it before, I never tire of hearing Fred talk about how important it is to share your love for what you do with children or anyone really. He writes, “I think one of the greatest gifts you can give anybody is the gift of your honest self.”
Because I don’t have an early education background, I hadn’t heard of the term, “permissible regression” prior to reading this book of interviews. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and really enjoyed Fred Rogers’ song about it.
Perfect for fans of Fred Rogers or anyone who needs a hug from a book!
January 7, 2022
I'll bet they could've included even more beautiful interviews with Mr. Rogers in this collection, but I think the selection printed was a perfect representation of who he was and what he did for humanity. I wish all parents would study the philosophies and ideals of Mr. Rogers. Thankful to have yet again another reference to remind myself of his many important sayings such as "You are special just as you are" and "Feelings are mentionable and manageable".
January 5, 2025
This was such a fantastic and inspiring read. Fred Rogers is truly one of the greatest human beings to ever walk the earth. He is so inspiring to children and adults for this matter and I loved watching his show growing up as a kid. The one thing for sure that I’ll take away from this book that I try to do every day and will try even harder at is to give the gift of your honest self because that’s the greatest gift you can give somebody, so that’s what I try to do too.
February 10, 2022
This book contains the text of several interviews with Fred Rogers, all of which are very thoughtful and warm. Fred Rogers's message has been well articulated elsewhere, but here it comes directly from him in his thoughtful an2wers to interview questions. In fact, you can almost hear his voice.
This is a fine little book.
This is a fine little book.
March 11, 2021
This was a lovely collection of interviews with Mr. Rogers that had been completed through the years by a number of different journalists. They really distilled the essence of Fred Rodgers into this small book. It is a heart-warming, sweet book that is like a warm hug on a cold night.
September 5, 2022
A lovely compilation of a few interviews that were conducted with the late Fred Rogers. I've always been a big fan of Mr. Rogers, so getting to read some of his words that I hadn't before was really nice.
January 17, 2024
Healing read. There’s no one in the world like him. His perceptions on interacting with children are so demonstrative of his endless capacity for empathy, compassion, and caring. Like hearing from an old friend. Cried the whole time.
September 17, 2024
1. Jesus
2. Fred Rogers
3. Taylor Brooks
In that order, will forever be my favorite humans ever to walk the earth
“My relationship with my Creator is just part of who I am. I don’t think you have to use labels to allow people to see what is your inspiration.”
2. Fred Rogers
3. Taylor Brooks
In that order, will forever be my favorite humans ever to walk the earth
“My relationship with my Creator is just part of who I am. I don’t think you have to use labels to allow people to see what is your inspiration.”
January 1, 2026
Loved this idea. Love Fred. But like why were there only 4ish interviews???? Really that’s all of them??? And so many of the questions were repetitive. I need about 10x more than what I was given here.
February 14, 2026
This is the fourth book of “The Last Interview” series and it is my favorite that I’ve read. Fred Rogers is such a cherished figure from my childhood and the interviews within this book reinforce what a good soul he was.
Want to read
March 25, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
March 27, 2021
A nice little collection of interviews he has done emphasizing his musical talents, his devotion to child development and his family life
August 12, 2021
This is a lovely series of books, compiling interviews with a great variety of interesting figures. Reading interviews with Mr. Rogers is, of course, a wonderful & heartwarming experience. (Own)
October 5, 2021
Wonderful inspiring book written well and very interesting. Absolutely enjoyable.
January 8, 2022
A beautiful glimpse into a rare, incredibly special person. Loved the format and style of the interviews and how much affection and compassion Mr. Rogers had for people
April 8, 2022
This brought back do many special memories of watching the show with my dad. That was a priceless read! ♥️♥️♥️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews