How Did the Real Mister Rogers Really Feel About Eddie Murphy'sSNLSpoof 'Mister Robinson's Neighborhood'?

Mar. 15, 2025

Eddie Murphy as Mr. Robinson on ‘SNL’ in 1983, Fred Rogers on ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood' in 1975.Photo:Al Levine/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alamy

Al Levine/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alamy

He always wanted to have a “neighbor just like you,” but did Mister Rogers — a.k.a. beloved children’s television host Fred Rogers — wantEddie Murphy’s Mister Robinson for a neighbor?As NBC explainsin a story about Murphy’s recurringSNLsketch “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood,” which first ran in season 6 in 1981, “there’s arguably very little similarity between Rogers and Eddie Murphy’s Mister Robinson.” Murphy, 63, pulled from the nostalgic theme song and general framework of the long-running children’s showMister Rogers' Neighborhood, but otherwise “made it his own,” NBC states.Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield wrote the sketch, which ran a total of 10 times: during Murphy’s tenure on the show in the early 1980s; when he hosted in 1984; and most recently, when he hosted in 2019. Mister Robinson emulated Rogers' talk-to-the-camera method, though with tougher, more adult tales than the original. Many consider it to be one of his signatureSNLcharacters and, according to NBC, the one that started getting him recognized on the street.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.One famous follower? Mister Fred Rogers himself, who appeared onThe Late Show with David Lettermanin 1982 and spoke about Murphy’s sketch.“Well some of them aren’t very funny,” he said to laughs from the crowd. “But I think that a lot of them are done with real kindness in their hearts. Do you think that?” He even shared a photo of himself with Murphy, which had been taken that day in New York City’s 30 Rock, whereSNLfilms.Mister Rogers' Neighborhoodran from 1968 to 2001, with Rogers in the title role as a friendly neighbor who teaches children about kindness, tricky situations and emotions through his own words, some friendly puppets, celebrity guests and neighbors of his own. His work has continued through the animated semi spinoff,Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,and the 2019 Tom Hanks movie,A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.Rogers diedin 2003 at 74 years old.Murphy is among the many stars returning to theSNLstage this Sunday night, Feb. 16, for theSNL 50celebration specialbeginning at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

He always wanted to have a “neighbor just like you,” but did Mister Rogers — a.k.a. beloved children’s television host Fred Rogers — wantEddie Murphy’s Mister Robinson for a neighbor?

As NBC explainsin a story about Murphy’s recurringSNLsketch “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood,” which first ran in season 6 in 1981, “there’s arguably very little similarity between Rogers and Eddie Murphy’s Mister Robinson.” Murphy, 63, pulled from the nostalgic theme song and general framework of the long-running children’s showMister Rogers' Neighborhood, but otherwise “made it his own,” NBC states.

Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield wrote the sketch, which ran a total of 10 times: during Murphy’s tenure on the show in the early 1980s; when he hosted in 1984; and most recently, when he hosted in 2019. Mister Robinson emulated Rogers' talk-to-the-camera method, though with tougher, more adult tales than the original. Many consider it to be one of his signatureSNLcharacters and, according to NBC, the one that started getting him recognized on the street.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

One famous follower? Mister Fred Rogers himself, who appeared onThe Late Show with David Lettermanin 1982 and spoke about Murphy’s sketch.

“Well some of them aren’t very funny,” he said to laughs from the crowd. “But I think that a lot of them are done with real kindness in their hearts. Do you think that?” He even shared a photo of himself with Murphy, which had been taken that day in New York City’s 30 Rock, whereSNLfilms.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhoodran from 1968 to 2001, with Rogers in the title role as a friendly neighbor who teaches children about kindness, tricky situations and emotions through his own words, some friendly puppets, celebrity guests and neighbors of his own. His work has continued through the animated semi spinoff,Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,and the 2019 Tom Hanks movie,A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Rogers diedin 2003 at 74 years old.

Murphy is among the many stars returning to theSNLstage this Sunday night, Feb. 16, for theSNL 50celebration specialbeginning at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com