Two disparate Pittsburgh pop culture touchstones crossed paths on Tuesday night’s episode of partially Pittsburgh-set “This is Us.”
In scenes set in Pittsburgh in the early 1980s, Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia) took kindergarten-age sons Randall and Kevin to a taping of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” at WQED-TV’s studios.
The episode, written by Jon Dorsey and directed by veteran “This is Us” writer and 2010 University of Pittsburgh grad Kay Oyegun, faithfully recreated the “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” sets, including the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
“The idea came about because we knew ‘Mister Rogers’ was filmed in Pittsburgh,” Oyegun explained, “and we were all fans.”
In the present-day story, Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Kevin (Justin Hartley) tried to hash out their long-simmering disagreements. Adopted-at-birth Randall shared with Kevin the concept of a “ghost kingdom,” where adoptees imagine what their lives would have been like if they grew up with their biological parents.
In one flashback to the ’80s scene in the WQED studio, Randall has a conversation with the Daniel Striped Tiger puppet who emerges from King Friday’s castle, presumably operated by Fred Rogers. The scene ties into Randall’s ghost kingdom.
“Do you like using your imagination?” Daniel asks young Randall.
“I have imaginary parents,” Randall whispers.
“Oh, that’s OK,” Daniel replies. “We all have our own neighborhoods of make-believe.”
Fred Rogers is heard welcoming the small audience (“Hello neighbors, thank you for coming!”) but he’s seen only as an out-of-focus, red sweater-wearing figure in the background.
In another scene, the blurry Mister Rogers seems to be leading the children in an exercise between takes, saying, “And remember, I like you just the way you are,” a classic Rogers affirmation.
“This is Us” occasionally weaves in Pittsburgh icons, including sports teams and the Terrible Towel. “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is the season’s second big Pittsburgh tie-in following a fall episode that recounted the story of the killing of Jonny Gammage.
David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” said “This is Us” mostly got its depiction of the Pearsons and other families on the studio floor during a taping right. In reality, when small groups came in they were allowed to walk around the set and watch a rehearsal on the studio floor but when it was time to tape, visitors would be escorted to a booth that overlooks the studio.
Somewhat surprisingly, “This is Us” did not consult with Fred Rogers Productions about the episode or seek permission to use the Daniel Tiger character.
