Episode 1585
Topic: Alike and Different
Air Date: November 27, 1987
Previous Episode: 1584 - Alike and Different
Next Episode: 1586 - Nighttime
Purchase/Stream: Amazon
Upon his arrival, Mister Rogers is invited back outside by Jeff Gabel who is on his way to a farm with some baby chicks. Thanking Mr. Gabel for the strudel from the previous day, Mister Rogers is invited to visit the circus.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Aberlin is practicing her juggling in preparation for her help with the upcoming circus. Chuckles the Clown arrives and provides Lady Aberlin with a chicken costume which she wants to show to Daniel. When he is startled by Chuckles the Clown, Daniel is encouraged to be brave -- advice which he asks to be shared with Nancy Caterpillar. Eager to become a butterfly, Nancy sees herself in a mirror and realizes that she is very special the way she is. Upon this realization, she turns into a butterfly.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers visits the circus where he meets Betty Aberlin who is riding an elephant when he arrives. Fred Logan, an elephant trainer, describes the work and performance roles of elephants in the circus. Briefly visiting the tiger cage, Mister Rogers and Betty find their way to the "back yard" of the circus -- an area where the circus workers and performers live. Meeting up with Jeff Gabel, they watch as he applies his clown make-up and transforms himself into Chuckles the Clown.
Taking their seats inside the big-top, Mister Rogers and Betty are excited as the circus begins. After enjoying several performances, they are greeted by Chuckles the Clown before Mister Rogers returns to his house.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers sits at the piano and demonstrates that each key makes a different sound: "It's great that there are all different notes, and different animals, and different people in the world. But what's even greater is that we can all learn to play together and care for each other. All we have to do is want to."
Notes
This episode is one of two featured on A Day at the Circus. It is also the episode featured on the 1994 VHS release Circus Fun and is included on the DVD collection Mister Rogers Meets New Friends.
Appearing In This Episode
- Betty Aberlin
- Chuckles the Clown
- Daniel Striped Tiger
- Darrelle Butterfly
- Lady Aberlin
- Mister Rogers
- Nancy Caterpillar
Guests
- Fred Logan
- Jeff Gabel
- Jimmy James
Songs
Images
Episode Credits
With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Jeff Gabel, Michael Horton
Special Thanks to the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus
Executive Producer: Fred Rogers
Producer: Margaret Whitmer
Director: Paul Lally
Associate Producer: Susi Simons
Music Director: John Costa
Art Director: Jack Guest
Editor: Randy Strothman
Assistant Art Director: Kathy Borland
Production Assistants: Lenny Meledandri, Joanne Peacock
Intern: Janis Burley
Lead Technician: Ken Anderson
Studio Supervisor: Doug Coates
Producation Coordinator: Mark Smukler
Assistant Director: Rich Dwyer
Technical Director: Jim Ochtun
Lighting Director: Frank Warninsky
Video: Don Williamson
Studio Cameras: Don McCall, Bob Vaughn, Art Vogel, Steve Zorbas
Audio: Jerry Cobbs, Dick LaSota
Videotape: William Moore, Paul Byers
Floor Manager: Nick Tallo
Assistant Floor Manager: Jim Seech
Assistant Lighting Director: Eric Sanchez
Location Production: Joe Abeln, Mark Adelsheim, Michael Boyle, John Burdick, Joe Ferlic, John Fitzpatrick, Jerry Hughes, Mike Kobik, Jay Kuntz, Ed Letteri
Carpenters: Patsy Gianella, Rich Karapandi
Scenic Artists: Debi Catanzaro, Elizabeth Cottin, Marty Jamison, Tamara Schultz, Barbara Thompson, Beth Ann Zamborsky
Costumer: Doug Lincoln
Musicians: Carl McVicker, Bob Rawsthorne
Consultants: Albert V. Corrado M.D., Margaret B. McFarland Ph.D.
Director of Production: Sam Newbury
Videotape Editor: Kevin Conrad
Videotape Sound: Dennis Williams
Produced in association with WQED/Pittsburgh
A production of Family Communications
© 1987 Family Communications, Inc.