Episode 1261

Air Date: February 19, 1973
Previous Episode: 1260
Next Episode: 1262
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Mister Rogers arrives with a Santa Claus costume which he tries on to find that it is much too big. Thinking of someone who might be able to wear the costume, Mister Rogers phones Chef Brockett at his bakery.

At the bakery, Chef Brockett is planning the addition of a soda shop in his bakery but is eager to take a break to try on the Santa suit. After surprising the others in the shop, Betty Aberlin and Francois Clemmons talk about how they were afraid of Santa Claus when they were children. As a gift to "Santa," they sing Good People Sometimes Do Bad Things.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, everyone is excited that Santa Claus will be stopping by for a visit -- everyone except Daniel. Fearful because Santa "sees you when you're sleeping and he knows if you've been bad or good," Daniel is encouraged by Lady Aberlin to talk about his fears with Santa when he arrives. Daniel is relieved when he hears the truth from Santa himself: "I'm not a spy and I can't see people when they're sleeping." At the factory, Corney questions the fact that Santa sounds like Chef Brockett but is told that Santa can sound or look like anybody.

Back at the house Mister Rogers talks about pretending and sings Pretending. Elsie Neal stops by and makes paper beards with Mister Rogers.

Notes

This episode originally aired during the month of February and not in December. With Santa Claus being the focus of the entire episode from the costume to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to the paper beards, it is surprising that it was not intentionally aired at a time of year when it would be more relevant to young viewers.

Appearing In This Episode

• Betty Aberlin
• Chef Brockett
• Cornflake S. Pecially
• Daniel Striped Tiger
• Elsie Neal
• Francois Clemmons
• Gladys Schenk
• Lady Aberlin
• Mister Rogers
• Santa Claus

Songs

• Good People Sometimes Do Bad Things
• It's Such a Good Feeling
• Pretending
• The Weekend Song
• Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Images

Episode Credits

With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Don Brockett, Francois Clemmons, Elsie Neal, Gladys Schenk
Music Director: John Costa
Produced and Directed by Bob Walsh

Produced by Family Communications, Inc. in association with WQED, Pittsburgh

The people who gave the money to make this television visit are the people of The Sears Roebuck Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

© 1972 Family Communications, Inc.