“Jimmy Kimmel Live” has offered a dark spin on the upcoming Mr. Rogers movie, with help from a former Chicago actor.
In a parody of the popular “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” trailer offering a glimpse of Tom Hanks in the starring role, the beloved children’s TV host is stalked by a rival: Captain Kangaroo.
The 1970s CBS host learns he’s been let go — a victim of Fred Rogers’ superior ratings — and pursues vengeance against PBS’ gentle, warm-hearted father figure. Never shedding his familiar red jacket, the Captain tortures Mr. Rogers’ puppets for information, defiles his photo and lurks in his coat closet with an ax.
The unhinged, foul-mouthed Captain Kangaroo is played by Frank Caeti, an alumni of Second City in Chicago and Fox’s “Mad TV.”
In real life, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is scheduled to open this Thanksgiving. Its trailer has been viewed more than 10 million times on Youtube.