Someone Called Tyler Childers The “Spicy Mister Rogers Of Our Generation,” & Now I Can’t Unsee It

This might be the best comparison that I’ve heard in a while.

Over the years, Tyler Childers has been likened to several notable characters. One of my favorites came from a show last year when a Texas woman said that Timmy Ty’s on-stage rants reminded her of Texas Ranger from Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The comparison had me doubled over with laughter, and I still hear the cadence of Texas Ranger today in Childers’ delivery in many of his rants since this comparison was made.

Not to mention that the matching red hair really seals the deal of this comparison.

If you are having trouble seeing the comparison, fortunately, this social media user (@Texasgirlmom on TikTok) has done us a favor by clipping moments from the classic film alongside Childers’ talking.

@texasgirlmom I finally figured out who Tyler Childers reminds me of…. #tylerchilders #talladeganights #fyp #foryoupage #htx ♬ Have A Nice Day by Treaty Oak Revival – Treaty Oak Revival

Another comparison has been made on social media, and I think this one takes the cake over the Texas Ranger comparison.

After a show at Forest Hills Stadium in Forest Hills, NY, a clip of Childers delivering his monologue before performing “Bitin’ List” led one TikTok user to say that Tyler Childers is the “Spicy Mr  Rogers of our generation.”

Talk about a blast from my past, as I was immediately transported back to my childhood, hearing the intro of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood playing through my TV.

For over 30 years, Mister Rogers was a trusted friend to children, speaking directly to them from the TV, thereby breaking the fourth wall. Mister Rogers taught children that “There is only one person in the whole world like you, and people can like you just because you’re you.” He also shared lessons about loving each other, empathy, and overcoming fears. Mister Rogers would help children digest big feelings and difficult topics in an easy-to-understand way, and would take children on whimsical adventures through the Neighborhood of Make Believe.

Mister Rogers was a comforting character, and when I first read this comparison to Tyler Childers, I was a little unsure, but after re-watching the clip that prompted this comment, it’s all I can see now.

In this clip, specifically, Tyler Childers embodies the Mister Rogers character through his clothing, wearing the iconic cardigan that Rogers often sported on his TV program. The rant that Childers goes on before performing “Bitin’ List” also feels very Mister Rogers-ish as he details how frustrated he gets seeing people neglect to put up their shopping cart.

“People that leave their grocery carts just in the middle of the parking lot. That’s so aggravating. You pushed that thing around for the last 40 minutes, maybe an hour and a half, and you can’t just go that extra little step, man. The shopping experience isn’t over yet! 

That’s aggravating, but that’s not the kind of people that I’m talking about. I’m talking about those people that you really can’t stand. Probably got a good reason. Might be misguided, maybe based on, you know, some wrong information, but all you know is you can’t look at them without ruining your day. 

And I know that each, well… most of you, maybe some of y’all out there are just so blissed out that you’re like, “I don’t know what he’s talking about.’ And we’re all striving for that man, keep it up.”

Doesn’t this feel like an example Mister Rogers would use in his show about how you should be kind to others? If I were to turn on Mister Rogers’ show today, I feel like he could easily have spun this into an example of how you help out others, even if it’s not your job, because you’d hope others would help you in a time of need.

And at the end, where Childers calls out the people who are so zen that they don’t have folks on their “Bitin’ List,” that is also a philosophy that Mister Rogers would teach. Do not hold grudges against anyone around you.

@notlauraclark who is on your biting list? mine include people who litter; who are rude to wait staff; and too ignorant to understand sud, harm reduction, and naloxone #fyp #lauratravels #tylerchilders #bitinlist #livemusic ♬ original sound – Laura Clark

Another comparison that comes to mind is the work he has done to support the Blackfeet Nation, reminiscent Mister Rogers and Officer Clemmons.

While it’s not exactly the same, Rogers was a pioneer in teaching children to accept folks of all races. In 1969, Mister Rogers invited Officer Clemmons to come and cool down by dipping his feet in a kiddie pool, breaking the color barrier that existed at that time.

As I said, it’s not exactly the same, but Childers has a deep respect and honor for those folks in the Blackfeet Nation. Not only has he quietly financially supported many of their nonprofits, but after learning about their culture, his relationship with these people drove his decision to no longer play “Feathered Indians” at his concerts. While he admits that he loves the song, he hopes that not playing it will prompt people to think about the connotation it carries.

“That song has some of my favorite lines I’ve ever written, some of my favorite melodies. Not playing that song is going to make people think.”

Although, I’m pretty sure that we never heard Mister Rogers talk like Tyler Childers’ NSFW intro to “Eatin’ Big Time:”

“You know, I knew this guy, his name was Wayne Homen. He was a bada** motherf***er. He was a comrade and a sniper in Vietnam, and he told me a very important thing that I will never, ever, ever forget. And you will do well to remember it also.

He said, ‘Tyler, if you ain’t eatin’ that p***y… well sombody’s eatin’ it.’”

@champagnecassidy In the 6 times I’ve seen him over 4 years tonight was the most I remeber him speaking. This is the joke that opened the show. #tylerchilders #eatinbigtime #concert @Tyler Childers #tylerchildersontheroad ♬ original sound – champagnecassidy

The lesson still stands, the Mister Rogers test that you should work hard for what you want, or else someone might beat you to it. I guess that’s where the “spicy” reference really comes into play. If Timmy Ty continues to rock these cardigans on stage, I fear this comparison might stick.

Before you go, fire up some tunes from “Spicy Mister Rogers.”

The post Someone Called Tyler Childers The “Spicy Mister Rogers Of Our Generation,” & Now I Can’t Unsee It first appeared on Whiskey Riff.