Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – “Season 16, Episode 9”

Original Air Date: February 6, 1986
Directed by: Paul Lally

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Mr. Rogers (Fred Rogers) shows a film of a kitten being born and talks about making and creating things.

Reality Cat: Mr. Rogers enters his house carrying a little tabby kitten. He introduces the kitten as Jimmy and says he belongs to friends of his.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Jimmy tabby kitten being carried into house by Fred Rogers
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Jimmy tabby kitten being held by Fred Rogers
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Jimmy tabby kitten close up

Jimmy the kitten is fidgety and full of energy.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Jimmy tabby kitten meowing at Fred Rogers

After showing the kitten and talking about him, Mr. Rogers explains his friends took film of the kitten being born. This film is shown and we see the mama tabby cat giving birth and grooming one of the kittens.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - mama tabby cat about to give birth
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - mama tabby cat lying on couch
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - mama tabby cat licking newborn kitten
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - mama tabby cat licking newborn kitten
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - mama tabby cat with newborn kitten

Mr. Rogers sings a song about it being okay to wonder. He then talks with the kitten some more.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Jimmy tabby kitten being held by Fred Rogers
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Jimmy tabby kitten on floor being petted by Fred Rogers

Someone knocks on the door and he carries the kitten there to find Mr. McFeely, the Speedy Delivery Man (David Newell). Mr. McFeely takes the kitten, supposedly to deliver Jimmy back to his family. Jimmy would return in a later episode as a full grown cat (Season 21, Episode 8).

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Jimmy tabby kitten being held by Fred Rogers with Mr. McFeely David Newell
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - close up of Jimmy tabby kitten being handed by Fred Rogers to Mr. McFeely

Final Mewsings: Cats are the best special guests!

Many thanks to Erin T. Aardvark for letting us know about Jimmy!

Relevant Links:

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