Surprise Party

[geronimojackson]

At the end of the "Secrets" week, the neighbors throw Fred a surprise party as he's leaving his house. Did Fred actually plan and script that scene to be part of the show? He seemed genuinely surprised.

[whewfan]

I am reasonably sure that the surprise party was indeed part of the script. It was not taped on his birthday, or anywhere near it. With the party taking place just outside, I can't imagine how they could pull a genuine surprise for Fred. Still, it marks the last time Betty Aberlin appears in "reality." For whatever reason, Mr. Rogers mostly had Aberlin in the NOM segments in the later episodes. She also appears in reality for the trip to Luray Caverns, and also at her own house where children are playing with another lady. I am sure Betty has talked about why she believed Fred did it this way on here, so I won't repeat it.