ARCHIVAL INTERVIEW: FRANÇOIS CLEMMONS | REFLECTING ON MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD

As we celebrate the treasured legacy of Mister Rogers on Mountain Lake PBS this month, with the PBS premiere of Morgan Neville’s acclaimed documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and a brand new interview with singer François Clemmons, we’re taking a closer look at this gem from the Mountain Lake PBS archives. Clemmons opera and gospel-singing career took off when he began appearing as the musically gifted police officer on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”  Producer Paul Larson first interviewed Francois Clemmons at Middlebury College, where the artist in residence would entertain with spiritual songs. Clemmons retired in 2013.

This archival segment from “Art Express” was produced in 2004.  “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” airs on Mountain Lake PBS and on HBO Saturday, February 9 at 8pm.