Two TV Giants to Retire

By Stephen M. Silverman

Thursday July 02, 1998 12:00 AM EDT

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Two familiar faces on TV are hanging up their hats, each separately announced this weekend: CNN anchor Bernard Shaw, 60, and Fred Rogers, 71, laid-back host of the PBS children's staple "Mister Rogers's Neighborhood." Shaw, the only top news anchor who is African American, informed colleagues and viewers on Friday that, come Feb. 28, he will step down from his on-air duties in order to spend more time with his family and to write books. He later told reporters that his retirement has been in the works for four years (since his last contract) and has nothing to do with any discontent with CNN, which he joined at its inception in 1980, or with USA Today's devastating review last week of his Election Night coverage. As for the cardigan-clad Mr. Rogers, after 50 years in TV and 33 years as a show host, he plans to spend his time devoted to his Web site, publications and special museum programs, his production company announced on Saturday. Reruns of his show will continue.