'Mister Rogers' statue draws criticism

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Some celebrities and art experts are criticizing Pittsburgh's recently unveiled Fred Rogers statue for what they say is a failure to capture his likeness.

The 11-foot-high, 7,000-pound statue of the "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" creator and star, which was made in the distinctive, choppy style of 87-year-old sculptor Robert Berks, has been criticized by public figures and art experts including Pittsburgh Filmmakers Executive Director Charlie Humphrey and TV host Jimmy Kimmel, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Wednesday.

Kimmel said on Friday's episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" that Berks succeeded in making "the nicest man in the world look like a mud monster."

Tom Sokolowski, director of the Warhol Museum on the North Side, agreed that the statue does not resemble the children's entertainer.

"More than anything else, it doesn't look beckoning and warm," he said. "I don't think this bespeaks him. The statue doesn't resemble him at all."