Twenty minutes later, I got off the train, chose the closest of the stations 14 exits to start my Junod scavenger hunt from, reached the top of the stairs, turned to cross the street, and, wow, okayover on the other end, red turtleneck, black suit, there he is. Ive had people say, I know a lot of people who are really kind, but theyre just not media people, so no one knows about their kindness. I mean, the point is that Fred was a media person, and he did have a platform, and he spoke to an extremely large audience that he made into an even larger audience. Among its contents was a list of four pillars of journalism that Rogers hoped his friend would stick to: that journalists are human beings; that they should point out injustice when necessary; point out beauty when its possible; and celebrate the wonders of creation. As Lloyd does in the movie, Junod became close with Rogers after the childrens TV host saw something special in him. At first skeptical of Rogers, his perspective begins to change as Rogers helps him explore his own feelings, including his troubled home life and fractured relationship with his father. In the process, the reporters tarnished faith in people is restored. [11], "Bringing Out the Worst In Celebrity Coverage? And I dont know which take they use, but it was hard for Tom to do that. Thats how I knew himas a parodied figure. He joined the station in July 2016. [6] Junod has stated that his encounter with Rogers changed his perspective on life. Junod, who consulted on the film, believes that renewed interest in Rogers, evident by the recent spate of books and movies about him, is no coincidence. I was really shaken up not just by the response to the story, but by myself and by the demands that journalism makes on you to occasionally set your humanity aside. You fight because of things she does that you don't like, and things you do that she doesn't like. Tom Junod indeed found himself opening up to Fred Rogers, asking him his "deepest and most troubling questions." Yet, it's all but absent from the movie. As the film points out, it's not hard to imagine that having Mister Rogers as your father could be both a blessing and a burden. It is no surprise that so many fights turn into sex, and inevitable that the most destructive ones are fought on the level of sex. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Before Jerry Sandusky, Penn State football had another serial sexual Mister Rogers' widow says he was no saint. And that's a better legacy Its Lloyd Vogel, a fictionalized character based on Atlanta writer Tom Junod. Who Was the Falling Man from 9/11? - Esquire Still, the rest of the scene is virtually identical: Once upon a time, Mister Rogers went to New York City and got caught in the rain. I mean, he was in favor of thatmedia should be human. All rights reserved. ", For the most part, no. The How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days star, 53, and . In the movie, we see Rogers (Tom Hanks) confess that he has a strained relationship with one of his two sons. During a 1987 interview with Rick Sebak, Fred said that he gave up fish in the 1980s after hearing someone's reply when he said, "I heard that fish was very good for you." Who is Lloyd Vogel in Real Life? - The Cinemaholic He is hitched to his amazing wife Janet Junod. For the most part, yes. ESQ: Have the past two months been fulfilling for you? Tom Junod - Wikipedia and turned the clattering train into a single soft, runaway choir. Hes not like Supermanhe isnt otherworldly. I think he did the scales every day., If Mister Rogers were alive today to see A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Junod is pretty sure that he would enjoy the film. ', Here Are the Best Christmas Rom-Coms Coming Out This Year, How We Can Learn to Live with COVID-19 After Vaccinations. The hard-hitting journalist reluctantly takes an assignment to write a profile story about the cherished TV icon for a special 1998 "Heroes" issue of Esquire. While Junod says that Fred Rogers did see something in him that he didn't see in himself (namely that he was a good person), he wasn't the cynical journalist consumed by anger who Matthew Rhys portrays onscreen. Junod, who had just turned 40, was at a low point when an editor assigned him the story for a November issue celebrating heroes. -The Atlantic, Fred Rogers' faith in God is integral to understanding who he was, yet it's mostly absent from the film. And Ive tried to do it so that Im not just repeating the same line, trying to kind of live in the moment. To Vogels surprise, Rogers decides not to retape, saying that children need to see that when adults make plans, sometimes they dont work.. Really, I think its just that Tom Junod is a guy who stands out in a crowd. They are parents to Antonia Li Junod. Aside from a fictional subplot involving the writers father, the films narrative hews to the Esquire story. He was the host and creator of the preschool television series Mister Rogers Neighborhood. For instance, one that delves into his childhood, the creation of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, how he spent his three-year retirement before deciding to bring back his beloved TV show. "It is a truism by now that there was no difference between Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers," says Tom Junod, the real-life journalist who loosely inspired Matthew Rhys character (The Atlantic). In the film, Andrea meets Rogers and develops a friendship with the TV. And hes still going even, Junod is currently a senior writer at ESPN, where hes written about his, When he met Mr. Rogers, he was married, but had no children. Is Mr. Rogers like his television persona, or is he an impostor? In, I keep telling myself that I dont know how to answer Theresas question, that I dont know what to do next, because Fred never asked anything of me, Junod wrote. "He trusted me when I thought I was untrustworthy," says Junod, not long before the movie's release. Last year, the documentary Wont You Be My Neighbor? But fighting matters to a marriage because what matters most to a marriage is forgiveness, and forgiveness doesn't come for free. I have read his old emails, and I can see that he was very clear about what he wanted from me and everybody else. He has served as a professional writer for over two decades and through his sucess and hard work he has gathered a decent fortune. And I was really quite moved by it.. (Which, in journalism these days, is quite long. Below, we break it all down. In Atlanta, new indie outlets are finding ways to make it workand bringing in important voices, Jonathan Majors and Michael B. Jordan talk about Atlanta-filmed Creed III, How young trans peopleand their families and medical providersare contending with a wave of animus, Junkmans Daughter owner to open Virginia-Highland coffee shop this summer, Warren Doyle and the life-changing magic of the Appalachian Trail, The scent of water: Searching for hidden springs in downtown Atlanta, Hell and high water: A harrowing journey from Myanmar to Clarkston, Georgia. The True Story Behind A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood | Time TJ: Well, I think its always changed, just like yours that way. Can I fight with her and still love her for the rest of my life? Twelve years in a Catholic school. They sang, all at once, all together, the song he sings at the start of his program, Wont You Be My Neighbor? and turned the clattering train into a single soft, runaway choir. Yes. You are always fighting because you are fighting about always, which is to say about the permanence that you, as a married man, aspire to and at the same time dread. Tom is 64 years old. The question is who can abstain from winning, who can resist the temptation of winning, which. The problem with this approach is that the answer has already been well established. They exchanged no fewer than 70 emails during the first year of their friendship alone. In real life, he won two National Magazine Awards, but earlier, in 1995 and 1996. As such, Tom Junod's observations from his interview with Fred Rogers are the fuel for Marielle Heller's drama about learning the very lessons that "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" taught children and adults in the show's 33-year history. TJ: I mean, the tents great, but the tents intentional. They are arguments that enter a dimension different from the one in which they started. Matthew Rhys' character, the cynical Lloyd Vogel, is only loosely inspired by real-life journalist Tom Junod, hence the name change. However, that encouragement came during his last conversation with Fred Rogers (after the events in the movie), at which time he and his wife began the adoption process. In Junods Atlantic piece, he writes that Isler hadnt wanted Fred to cooperate with my story, because he had read my stories and knew the cruelty I was capable of. And though there is a real clip of Rogers fumbling with a tent for a solid two minutes, its from 1975about two decades before Junod did his profile. And my essay from 1998 is the intro for that. Your children understand that there are no trivial fights, because each fight has the potential to grow into the kind of fight that ends your marriage. Scene transitions show toy cities, just like those used on the legendary childrens show, only Lloyds story is unfolding in Manhattan, rather than Pittsburgh. TJ: I mean, I dont know. [7], Junod is the recipient of two National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors; one for a profile of John Britton, an abortion doctor,[9] and one for a profile of a rapist undergoing therapy while enduring what is known as "civil commitment" finalist for the award. He helped a blind child who was struggling to pray, and he loved taking pictures of everyone he met to show to his wife, Joanne. After all, Rogers woke up daily at 5 a.m. to pray and read and swim; he famously even ensured that he weight the same exact amount143 poundswithout fluctuation. This was a deeply disciplined man. Tom Junod was born on 9 April, 1958 in United States, is an American journalist. Joanne Rogers, Tom Junod and Bill Isler on 'A - NEXTpittsburgh You fight about what you always have fought about. However, that encouragement came during his last conversation with Fred Rogers (after the events in the movie), at which time he and his wife began the adoption process. They told him, "Yeah, but it's not good for the fish. Junod, who stayed friends with Rogers until his death in 2003, credits their relationship with making him a better writer. But in answer to your question, I mean there are all sorts of ways to be helpful and be of service. But its the unintentional stuff that I think is really true to life. He made connections everywhere he wentwith a young fan with cerebral palsy, with the famed gorilla Koko (also an ardent fan). He didnt have an umbrella, and he couldnt find a taxi, either, so he ducked with a friend into the subway and got on one of the trains. You fight. Perhaps the film's biggest error is one of omission. Some of his notable works are The Abortionist, The Rapist Says Hes Sorry, The Falling Man, and a controversial 2001 piece on R.E.M. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 62 years old? He even became a co-owner of Vegetarian Times magazine and appeared on the cover. As of now, he serves as a Senior Writer at ESPN. In the movie, Andrea is a lawyer and recent mother of a son who eventually becomes good enough. Thats about where the similarities end. How Accurate is 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood'? The True Story But, he says, I think Fred was interested in the [journalism] process as well.. He is the recipient of two National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors. You are fighting for power, of course but if your marriage is healthy, you will fight to restore the balance of power between you and your wife, instead of fighting to destroy it. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is based on a 1998 Esquire profile of Rogers by journalist Tom Junod, but many of its details are straight from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Tom has published some notable works for several magazines including The Falling Man, a controversial 2001 piece on R.E.M, The Abortionist, and The Rapist Says Hes Sorry. It is your happiness and your love that make the fights so painful. Mister Rogers' widow talks about her husband's life of faith, love of You may say you are fighting about her habits, and she may say she is fighting about yours that you are fighting over the nearly daily discovery that habits are inextinguishable. That temptation is really large because its so easy. So far, its worked pretty well. I would love to remove that but I dont know. How The Real-Life Journalist In A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood A fight to the finish is what finishes a marriage. Group, a Graham Holdings Company. And you don't fight drunk, because not only will you then say what can't be unsaid; you will find out what it is. Junod says it was with tools like his notesusing discipline to be a good friend or a good partnerthat he was able to uphold such goodness throughout his life. Rogers became a vegetarian in the 1970s, even taking a co-ownership in and appearing on the cover of the Vegetarian Times. Vogel is first assigned a puff piece on Rogers and their interview occurs over the phone, after which they meet at the WQED set in Pittsburghwhere Vogel is met with suspicions by one of Rogers handlers, Bill Isler. Before ESPN, he spent over 19 years as a Writer At Large at Esquire magazine. ESQUIRE: In your Atlantic piece, you talk about how theres no true successor to Mister Rogers. On the occasion of the forthcoming release of @ABeautifulDay, I wrote an essay for @TheAtlantic on Fred Rogers -- about why I needed him when I met him, and about why the world needs him now.https://t.co/usVH0NTlh8, He wrote an article about Mr. Rogers that was so impressive it was turned into a feature film. Well, you don't go to sleep angry, as the old saying goes. Fred was a guy who was very specific about his vision. Tom is also noted for his Esquire profile of Fred Rogers which changed his perspective of life. Appearance, presentation, looks. He not only looked the part, with his pinkie ring and French cuffs and blue dress shirts white at the collar, he played it, cultivating an air of. Strangely enough, when interviewing Fred Rogers, Junod recalled that the questions were always turned . Since 1961, Atlanta magazine, the citys premier general interest publication, has served as the authority on Atlanta, providing its readers with a mix of long-form nonfiction, lively lifestyle coverage, in-depth service journalism, and literary essays, columns, and profiles. In real life, the Junods adopted a daughter after the profile was published and Janet never met Fred Rogers. TJ: I mean, I never had that nightmare, but very interesting. In 2011 he receved the James Beard Award for his essay My Mom Couldnt Cook, published in Esquire in September 2010. On a personal front, Junod says Rogers has made him and his wife, Janet, better parents to their 16-year-old daughter, Nia, whom they adopted in 2004. As of now, he serves as a Senior Writer at ESPN. I think that that was a lesson that stood me in good stead for the rest of my time as a journalist, says Junod. The movie, in theaters nationwide on Friday, is not a play-by-play of either mans lifefor one thing, Junod never got into a fight with his father at his sisters wedding, as Lloyd doesbut Junod says that while Lloyds on-screen circumstances are fictionalized, the depiction of their friendship is as close to reality as he could have hoped. Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are.. Im at my best as a father when I try to think what Fred Rogers would do, and Im probably at my worst when I think what my own father would do.. Fights are not just arguments that don't end. Like the real-life Fred Rogers, the movies Rogers married an accomplished pianist named Joanne and fathered two sons. 25 Best Tom Hanks Movies, Ranked . Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He also loved the movie BIG. Playing Andrea Vogel, (but really Janet Junod, Tom Junod's wife), is This Is Us breakout star Susan Kelechi Watson. But the kind of fight that doesn't end is this: the kind of fight you win. There is a quiet rage simmering throughout A Thousand And One, threatening to spill out onto the changing streets of Harlem, from the, If you were expecting to escape the Oscars with dry eyes, were sorry to say that you definitely didnt make it out unscathed. Tom Junod does credit Fred Rogers with giving his wife Janet and him the courage to adopt their daughter. Working with Mister Rogers wasnt easy for Junod. (2018). Hell, it's the element of sex that lets you know that you're fighting and not simply arguing. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The writer has no idea whether these were meant as pieces of advice, lessons or notes Rogers perhaps learned from Junod himself. But this is only half true. In an October 1997 cover story titled Kevin Spacey Has a Secret, he coyly outed the actor, though Spacey refused at the time to confirm or deny any speculation about his sexuality. Simple: You fight about what you always fight about. While it seems like a nice movie moment that's hard to believe happened in real life, it actually comes straight from Tom Junod's article. Consider childhood ruined: Mr. Rogers gets sexy in booty . Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media. But the notes also offered a peek into how Rogers was able to be so good, seemingly all the time. ESQ: You wrote in the original piece that he didnt even watch TV. The writer had developed a reputation as a mens-magazine bad boy by penning controversial articles like his 1997 Esquire profile of Kevin Spacey that more or less outed the actor. The Real-Life Lloyd Vogel: Tom Junod is the real-life reporter on whom the character of Lloyd Vogel is based. Tom idolized his father, despite his shortcomings. Hes obviously having trouble zipping up his sweater, its not easy for him, and I know that it took like many, many takes to do that. It stars Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Chris Cooper. Mister Rogers movie tells a true story (mostly) - Chicago Sun-Times .css-gk9meg{display:block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-top:0.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-gk9meg:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.15;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}The 19 Best Prostate Massagers, 55 Romantic Gifts Your Partner Will Treasure, The 29 Best Sex Toys for Men to Buy in 2023, The Secret Lives of Men: My Dick Is Too Big, The 10 Best Condoms For Safer and Better Sex, I Let My Boyfriend Dress Me For an Entire Year, My Ladies Night Inside a Members-Only Sex Club. Is A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Based on a True Story? That light just burned out and there was I mean, that was on fire. Do you love your wife? True Story of Mister Rogers & Tom Junod's Friendship in 'A Beautiful During a youth baseball game on June 1, 2018, a car driven by Carol Sharrow careened onto the field nearly missing players and umpires while family and friends watched in . Im not gonna be describing anything but my social media experience, but I think that the social media experienceand I dont want to blame everything on social media, eitherbut I do think that social media tricks you into thinking that being unkind can be in itself, moral. TJ: Yeah, yeah. And then my editor, Denise Wills said, Could you try to think of an answer to that question? And I thought about it, then I had to read the story again for the audiobook of this collection of Freds writings and sayings. I'm not sure why perhaps as a Valentine's gift to all of us or to make up for the guy who yesterday wrote that men who play with LEGOs are not real men but last . Do you see masculinity as different endslike you could be this person or this person? In the cinematic version, Vogel lives in New York City with his wife and newborn son. In the moments that followed, as Rogers watched the time on his watch, the crowd settled from nervous laughter into a hush, and then, for many, into being moved to tears. It was late in the day, and the train was crowded with children who were going home from school. "Thank you for calling, my dear," he said, in a voice whose . Rhys answers, "Broken people." The . This idea was revived, the idea of Fred, and that has been one of the great rewards of participating on this movie.. Co-screenwriter Micah Fitzerman-Blue said that while the personal struggles the journalist experiences in the movie are fictional, his relationship with Fred Rogers is "very accurate," which appears to be true (minus the moments when Rogers is helping him with his personal conflicts). The protagonist attempts to interview Rogers on the set of the TV show in Pittsburgh and in his modest pied-a-terre in New York, but Rogers always manages to turn the interview around on Vogel. And what did Fred want from me? See his new photo and other images of him over the years. I often have a good sense of what transpired during those two hours, give or take, and dont re, Latines love entertainment. TJ: I think the mediums themselves sort of make us prejudiced against that. Here is how you know that the fight is finally over: You have sex. When Junod first read the script for the movie, he believed that the writers had made him out to be a jerk, though he had a much more colorful term for that. Your children are especially unfooled, for though you don't have sex in front of them, you fight in front of them, or at least within their earshot, and your fights will forever serve as their introduction to the complexities of adulthood. Tom Hanks' Mr. Rogers: Is 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood' true?
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