Premise[edit]
The character Daniel Tiger is based on Mr. Rogers, and elements of his home are based on the set of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.
The series centers around Daniel Tiger, the son of the original Daniel Striped Tiger on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The series also features other children of the characters from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, such as Katerina Kittycat (daughter of Henrietta Pussycat), Miss Elaina (daughter of Lady Elaine Fairchild and Music Man Stan), O the Owl (nephew of X the Owl), and Prince Wednesday (King Friday and Queen Sara Saturday's youngest son and Prince Tuesday's little brother). Two 11-minute segments are linked by a common socio-emotional theme, such as disappointment and sadness or anger, or being thankful and appreciative. The theme also uses a Musical Motif phrase to reinforce the theme and help children remember. The series is co-produced by thePittsburgh based Fred Rogers Company (formerly Family Communications)[1] and Out of the Blue Enterprises, with animation produced in Canada by 9 Story Entertainment and music created at Voodoo Highway Music & Post.[2][3]
In 2006, three years after Fred Rogers' death, and after the end of production of Blue's Clues, The Fred Rogers Company contacted Angela Santomero to ask what type of show she would create to promote Rogers' legacy. That conversation led to the creation ofDaniel Tiger's Neighborhood.[4] PBS initially ordered 40 episodes, which were broadcast between September 2012 and February 2014.[5] PBS Kids has renewed the show for a second season of 25 episodes, scheduled to premiere on August 18, 2014.[6]
Characters[edit]
Tiger family[edit]
Daniel Tiger (voiced by Jake Beale) - Daniel lives on Jungle Beach with Mom Tiger and Daniel Striped Tiger. He has a stuffed tiger he named "Tigey". Daniel wears a red cardigan sweater and red sneakers; this wardrobe, and much of his home furnishings (such as the traffic light, shelves of models of Neighborhood buildings, and Picture Picture), are direct allusions to Fred Rogers and his studio house.
Mom Tiger (voiced by Heather Bambrick) - Daniel Tiger's mother and Daniel Striped Tiger's wife. She is a homemaker.
Daniel Striped Tiger (voiced by Ted Dykstra) - Daniel Tiger's father and Mom Tiger's husband; he works at the clock factory, which used to be his home. He's also a photographer. He wears a blue cardigan sweater and blue sneakers.
Grandpere Tiger (voiced by François Klanfer) - Grandpere is Daniel Striped Tiger's father, and Daniel Tiger's paternal grandfather ('grandpere' being French for 'grandfather'). He likes to travel and sail in his boat, and speaks with a French accent.
Margaret Tiger - Daniel's new sister who was introduced in Season 2.[6]
Cat family[edit]
Katerina Kittycat (voiced by Amariah Faulkner[7]) - Katerina lives with her mother, Henrietta Pussycat in the treehouse and loves dancing. She is O the Owl's next-door neighbor.
Henrietta Pussycat (voiced by Teresa Pavlinek) - Katerina's mother. In addition to saying "meow", she says more words.
Owl family[edit]
O the Owl (voiced by Zackary Bloch, then Stuart Ralston) - O the Owl lives with his uncle X in the oak tree and is Katerina's next-door neighbor. He loves books and he reads all the time. O is a light blue owl who wears green sneakers. His catchphrase is "Hoo Hoo!"
X the Owl (voiced by Tony Daniels) - X is O's uncle. X's feathers are still the same darker shade of blue as they were in Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. He wears a green bowtie and brown loafers. He works at the neighborhood library. X's catchphrases are "How in the world are you?" and "Nifty galifty!"
