Mister Rogers, the Spin-Off?

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor. Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor...again?

PBS announced this week a brand new animated spin-off of the legendary kid's show "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood" called "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" starting in the fall of 2012.

"Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood" was on the air from 1968 until 2001. A staple of life for American children for decades, Mr. Rogers taught generations of kids to tie their shoes, share with each other, and embrace the possibilities of make believe.

Always a proponent of kindness and tolerance for others, he showed children how to make things, how things like tractors and guitars worked, and introduced many of us to a literal Neighborhood of Make-Believe, where anything was possible - even a duck-billed platypus.

Mr. Rogers (aka Fred McFeely Rogers) died of stomach cancer on February 27, 2003. He was 74.

According to EW, the new animated show "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood" will feature "original Mister Rogers characters grown up and with children of their own living in the Neighborhood of Make Believe."

“Fred Rogers revolutionized children’s media with 'Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,' and 'Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood' continues on this path of innovation, helping the next generation of young children learn and grow in new ways,” said Lesli Rotenberg, Senior VP, PBS.

Will an animated show starring one of the few animals from Mr. Rogers be just like "Mr. Rogers"? Nope. Not a chance, but it's good to see that some of the legacy and lessons that Mr. Rogers promoted will be living on for a new generation of children.

RIP, Fred, we still miss you.