Fred Rogers (1928-2003) was the creator, showrunner, and host of the internationally acclaimed children's television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood which ran on PBS from 1968 to 2001. His work in children's television has been widely lauded, and he received over forty honorary degrees and several awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002, a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 1997, and induction into the Television Hall of Fame in 1999. Rogers was also a musician, Presbyterian minister, and the author of several books for children and adults.

David Bianculli is a television critic, columnist, and guest host on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. He is a professor of TV and film at Rowan University and founder of the website TVWorthWatching.com. Bianculli has written four books: The Platinum Age Of Television: From I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific (2016); Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (Simon & Schuster/Touchstone, 2009); Teleliteracy: Taking Television Seriously (1992); and Dictionary of Teleliteracy (1996).