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King Friday XIII

First MRN Appearance: 0001
Last MRN Appearance: 1765
Performed By: Fred Rogers

King Friday XIII was born on Friday the 13th[1], the son of King Charming Thursday XII[2] and Queen Cinderella Monday.[3][4] He began attending the Kingly School when he was six months old and soon became the King of Upper Afghanistan and eventually King of Calendarland.

King Friday is best known as the ruler of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe where he lives in the castle with his wife, Queen Sara Saturday, and his son, Prince Tuesday. King Friday has two siblings -- Paul and Claire and several nieces and nephews including Nicky, Quentin, Polly, Kevin, and Lady Aberlin.[5] He is also the great-great-great-great grandson of King Monday IX.

King Friday is a proud ruler who attended King and Queen school when he was young. He often finds himself busy with his various kingly duties. He is known to create outrageous and somewhat-random rules within his kingdom and expects everyone to obey his every commands.

Typically King Friday's presence is announced with a fanfare played by the Royal Trumpters. He addresses visitors to the castle by name (e.g. "Robert Troll, I presume.") and expects a respectful response ("Correct, as usual, King Friday.").

A lover of the arts, King Friday enjoys viewing performances throughout the Neighborhood. He, himself, plays the bass violin and often creates kingly versions of commons songs and poems. To help a struggling magician, King Friday established the King Friday Queen Sara Saturday Royal Foundation for the Performing Arts (KFQSSRFFTPA).[6]

King Friday has two pet birds, Mimus Polyglottos and Troglodytes Aedon. He once owned a bird named Cherry which died.[7] As a young boy, King Friday enjoyed spending time talking with the birds in the royal forrest. As a result, he is a talented whistler.[8]

One of King Friday's favorite treats is cup custard.[9] According to a Neighborhood census, King Friday can whistle and his favorite color is purple.[10] In his younger days, he was once a pole vaulter.[11]

Images

 http://www.neighborhoodarchive.com/cc/episodes/001/snapshot20101231080710.jpg               

Calendarland vs. The Neighborhood of Make-Believe

King Friday XIII originally appeared on the Children’s Corner where he was the king of Calendarland and gave instructions to Tomorrow before he/she became Today. With Misterogers, he evolved into the king of the whole universe and eventually just the king of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Puppet Demonstration

Mister Rogers demonstrates the King Friday puppet in Episodes 1384, 1456, 1530, and 1689.

Songs

Merchandise

Notes

Neighbor Aber dresses up as King Friday in Episodes 1558-1560

In early episodes, King Friday was referred to as "Great Uncle Friday" by Lady Aberlin rather than "Uncle Friday."

Joey Hollingsworth wears a King Friday costume in Episodes 1028-1029.

Puppet Variations

Bob Brown uses a King Friday marrionette in Episode 1250.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood

In Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, King Friday continues to rule over the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. In addition to Prince Tuesday, King Friday has another son -- Prince Wednesday.

Donkey Hodie

King Friday continues to rule over the Neighborhood of Make-Believe in Donkey Hodie, and occasionally visits his old friend Grampy Hodie in Someplace Else.

Appearances

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

The Children's Corner

Misterogers (CBC)

MisteRogers' Neighborhood (EEN)

Books

CDs, Records, and Tapes

Home Video

Other Video

References

  1. Episode 1450. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  2. Carey, Josie; Rogers, Fred (1954). Our Small World. Reed and Witting Company. p 15
  3. Carey, Josie; Rogers, Fred (1954). Our Small World. Reed and Witting Company. p 15
  4. WQED Station Program Guide (1954). Image provided by Mr. Norbert Nathanson
  5. Episode 1553. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  6. Episode 1217. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  7. Episode 1669. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  8. Episode 1195. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  9. Episode 0038. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  10. Episode 1651. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
  11. Episode 1374. Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

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Corner image by Spencer Fruhling. Used with permission.
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