Barney & Friends

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Barney & Friends

Barney & Friends logo
Format Children's television series
Created by Sheryl Leach
Starring Carey Stinson (Barney suit)
Dean Wendt (Barney voice)
Jeff Ayers (Baby Bop suit)
Julie Johnson (Baby Bop voice)
Patty Wirtz (B.J. voice)
Kyle Nelson (B.J. suit)
Adam Brown (Riff suit)
Michaela Dietz (Riff voice)
Country of origin  United States
No. of episodes 238 (as of season twelve)
Production
Running time 30 Minutes
Production company(s) The Lyons Group (1992–2001)
HiT Entertainment (2001–present)
Connecticut Public Television
Broadcast
Original channel PBS (1992-Present)
PBS Kids Channel (1999-Present)
PBS Kids Sprout (2005-Present)
Original run April 6, 1992 – present

Barney & Friends is a 1992 children's television show produced in the United States aimed at preschool children. The series features the title character Barney, a purple anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus rex who conveys learning through songs and small dance routines with a friendly, optimistic attitude.

Contents

Origin and development

Barney was created in 1987 by Sheryl Leach of Dallas, Texas. She came up with the idea for the program while considering TV shows that she felt would be educational and appeal to her son. Leach then brought together a team who created a series of home videos, Barney and the Backyard Gang, which also starred actress Sandy Duncan in the first 3 videos. Later, Barney was joined by the characters Baby Bop, BJ, and Riff.

Although the original videos were a modest regional success, Barney became a major success only when the character and format were revamped for series television and were picked up by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), debuting as "Barney & Friends" in 1992. The series was produced by Lyrick Studios (bought by HIT Entertainment) and Connecticut Public Television. For several years, the show was taped at the ColorDynamics Studios facility at Greenville Avenue & Bethany Drive in Allen, after which it moved to The Studios at Las Colinas, Texas. Currently, the series is produced in a northern suburb of Dallas. The TV series and videos are currently distributed by HiT Entertainment and Lionsgate, while the TV series is currently produced by WNET.

As of since 2006, All the Barney & Friends DVDs will be distributed by: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment due to the distribution bought of HiT Entertainment from Lionsgate.

Barney & Friends is now shown in other countries where it is translated if necessary. One such example is the Spanish language version dubbed in Mexico which is called Barney y Sus Amigos, (Spanish translation of "Barney & his Friends.") Another example is the Hebrew production produced from 1997-1999 in Tel Aviv, Israel, based on the first three seasons of the show. Rather than dubbing the American episodes, the episodes are recreated with a unique set in an original set and exclusive child actors.

Criticism

Although the show has been criticized for its lack of educational value,[citation needed] Yale researchers Dorothy and Jerome Singer have concluded that episodes contain a great deal of age-appropriate educational material, calling the program a "model of what preschool television should be."[1]

One specific criticism is that

"his shows do not assist children in learning to deal with negative feelings and emotions. As one commentator puts it, the real danger from Barney is denial: the refusal to recognize the existence of unpleasant realities. For along with his steady diet of giggles and unconditional love, Barney offers our children a one-dimensional world where everyone must be happy and everything must be resolved right away."[2]

It is ranked on TV Guide's List of the 50 Worst TV Shows of All Time at #50.[3]

Cast

Dinosaurs

Barney the Dinosaur
The main character is a purple and green Tyrannosaurus Rex, who comes to life through a child's imagination. His theme song is "Barney Is a Dinosaur," which is also known as the "Barney Theme Song". Another well known song is "I Love You" which has also been parodied by many people[citation needed]. Barney likes most kinds of food, but his main favorites are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made with pumpernickel bread. According to Barney's Campfire Sing-Along, vegetables are also a favorite of his.
Baby Bop
A green protoceratops, Baby Bop has been on the show since debuting in the video "Barney in Concert". She carries a yellow blanket, and sings the song "My Yellow Blankey" to show how much it means to her. She currently refers to herself as 3 years old. She likes to eat macaroni and cheese and pizza. She wears a pink bow on her head and pink ballet slippers on her feet. She is B.J.'s little sister.
B.J.
A 7-year-old yellow protoceratops, B.J. has been on the show since the beginning of season 2. His theme song is "B.J.'s Song". He wears a red baseball cap on his head and red sneakers on his feet (as heard in the lyrics of his theme). He has lost his hat in the episode Hats Off to B.J.! and sometimes says stuff to hide fears (like in Barney's Halloween Party, he was shocked by the paper spiders and after learning they were fake, he said "I knew that, sort of."). Pickles are his favorite food and because of that, he actually has had them in different ways like pickles (also with pepperoni, peppers, pineapple and peanut butter) on a pizza (in Barney's Adventure Bus). He is Baby Bop's older brother.
Riff
Referred as Cousin Riff by Baby Bop, he is an orange six-year-old hadrosaur, who is Baby Bop and B.J.'s cousin. He has appeared since season 10. He wears green sneakers. His theme is "I Hear Music Everywhere." Riff loves music and it's in almost everything he does. In Barney - Let's Go to the Firehouse, it was revealed that Riff also likes to invent things; he created a four-sound smoke detector (the first three were different alarm sounds and the final one his own voice). He even likes marching bands and parades as much as Barney does.

Adults

The adults on the show are usually one- or two-time guest actors who portray teachers, storytellers, and similar characters.

One-time guests

Role Real Name Episode/Description
Aunt Rachel Saint Adeogba Ashley and Alissa's Aunt from Aunt Rachel is Here
Aunt Molly Mary Ann Brewer Julie's aunt who appeared in The Alphabet Zoo
Frank Crim Frank Crim A real firefighter who appeared in I Can Be a Firefighter!
Mr. Tenagain R. Bruce Elliott Someone who loves anything to do with the number 10. He appeared in Having Tens of Fun!
Teri Garr Teri Garr She was a guest in Barney's First Adventures
Melissa Gilbert Melissa Gilbert She was a guest in Barney's First Adventures
Rebecca Garcia Rebecca Garcia A Mexican dancer who appeared in Hola Mexíco
Ella Jenkins Ella Jenkins A famous children's singer and a friend of Barney's who appeared in A Very Special Delivery
Captain Kangaroo John McDonough He was a guest in Barney's First Adventures
Mr. Delivery Man Mark S. Bernthal A delivery man who has delivered a package to Barney in Everyone Is Special. Apparently, he can't tell kids in disguise from adults. In real life, Mark was one of the show's writers, along with Stephen White.
Tosha's mom J.D. Mosley Tosha's mother, who brought her twins with her father in A Very Special Delivery. She reappeared in Barney's Imagination Island
Tina's mom Sonya Resendeze She appeared in Barney and the Backyard Gang: Barney's Campfire Sing-Along
Joe Scruggs Joe Scruggs A famous children's music singer who appeared in The Exercise Circus. Barney's company owned the rights to his music at one time
James Turner James Turner A singer who appeared in Eat, Drink and Be Healthy!
Farmer Henderson Max Vaughan Barney's farmer friend who appeared in Down on Barney's Farm with a whole bunch of animals.
Rainbowbeard the Pirate Stephen White A mysterious pirate who left his treasure for Barney and the kids to find in Treasure of Rainbowbeard
Princess Zulie Alexander Hairston The princess of the Land of Make Believe, who Barney and the kids have to return home in The Land Of Make Believe
Patty Donna Kraft Luci's blind friend from 1-2-3-4-5 Senses
Nana Jane Hall Kathy's grandmother who appeared in Grandparents Are Grand! (1993)
Granddad Richards Cliff Porter Derek's grandfather from Grandparents Are Grand! (1993)
Tosha's dad David J. Courtney A Very Special Delivery Barney's Imagination Island
Doug and Becky from Kathy Burk's marionettes Doug and Becky from Kathy Burk's marionettes Marionette performers who guest appeared in Grown Ups For A Day
Joe Ferguson Joe Ferguson A storyteller who comes to visit in My Favorite Things Old King Cole Unknown One of Barney's friends who lives in a castle

Multiple appearances

Role Real Name Description and Appearances
Mother Goose Sandy Walper, Michelle McCarel, Julie Johnson The rhyme master herself appears in Let's Help Mother Goose, Honk! Honk! A Goose On The Loose, A Little Mother Goose (from Season 6), Barney's Big Surprise and Mother Goose/Fairy Tales (from Season 10)
Stella Phyllis Cicero Stella the Storyteller travels all around the world, collecting new stories to tell Barney and friends, among other people. She appeared in several episodes from Season 3 to Season 6. Stella reappeared for the first time in a long while in The Best of Barney, where she gave Barney a photo album of his friends (most of the TV show cast) over the years she made herself.
Professor Tinkerputt Barry Pearl He appeared in Barney's Imagination Island and in Barney's Big Surprise. Professor Tinkerputt didn't want to share his invented toys, until Barney and the kids showed him that good things happen when you share. For this reason, Tinkerputt left Imagination Island with Barney and the others and started a new toy factory.
Tomie dePaola Tomie dePaola Appeared in "Picture This," "It's Raining, It's Pouring" and "Oh Brother, She's my Sister." The famous children's author is also good friends with Barney and usually meets his friends in the episodes he appears in.
Mom Sandy Duncan Michael and Amy's mom in the Barney and the Backyard Gang episodes.
Mr. Boyd Robert Sweatman His full name is Grady Boyd and has a niece named Colleen. First worked as a janitor in Seasons 3-6 and worked as a park keeper in Seasons 7 and 8. Like Stella, Mr. Boyd reappeared in The Best of Barney, taking pictures in the park (which could mean he has become a photographer, since his last appearance). He also took the latest picture in Barney's new photo album from Stella.

Children

Over the years, more than one hundred children have appeared as cast members on the show. Some notable children who have appeared in Barney & Friends include:

Crew

Movies and specials

Main article: List of Barney & Friends episodes and videos

Airing history

North America

Canada
Mexico and Latin America
US

Europe

France
Ireland
Italy
Spain
UK

Asia

Israel
  • Arutz HaYeladim (the kids channel)
  • Hop!
  • Channel 2
Japan
Japanese title: Barney to eigo de asobo! (バーニーと英語であそぼっ！ Bānī to Eigo de asobo!?)
Philippines
Turkey

Australia and Oceania

Australia
New Zealand

Music

A majority of the albums of Barney and Friends feature Bob West's voice as the voice of Barney, though the recent album The Land of Make-Believe (like every album starting with Start Singing with Barney) has Dean Wendt's voice.

Barney's famous song "I Love You" (as well as songs from Sesame Street and Metallica) has been used by interrogators at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to coerce the detainees.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ IPTV
  2. ^ Lyons Partnership v. Ted Giannoulas, 179 F.3d 384, 386 (5th Cir. 1999), citing Chala Willig Levy, "The Bad News About Barney", Parents, Feb. 1994, at 191-92 (136-39).
  3. ^ TV Guide
  4. ^ Sesame Street breaks Iraqi POWs

External links

v • d • e
PBS Kids shows
Current shows
PBS Kids GO! programs
Past Shows

3-2-1 Contact · Adventures from the Book of Virtues † · Adventures of Dudley the Dragon §  · The Berenstain Bears * · Bill Nye the Science Guy · Big Comfy Couch§  · Bob the Builder · Boobah · Captain Kangaroo§  · Charlie Horse Music Pizza · Clifford the Big Red Dog*  · Clifford's Puppy Days*  · Dragon Tales*  · The Electric Company (1971) · Gerbert§  · George Shrinks · Ghostwriter · The Huggabug Club§  · In the Mix · Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks · Jay Jay: The Jet Plane * · Katie and Orbie§  · Kidsongs§  · Kratts' Creatures · Lamb Chop's Play-Along†  · Liberty's Kids · Long Ago & Far Away · The Magic School Bus∞  · Mark Kistler's Imagination Station§  · Mister Rogers' Neighborhood*  · Newton's Apple · Noddy · Pappyland§  · PBS Kids Bookworm Bunch · Peep and the Big Wide World§&  · Powerhouse · The Puzzle Place · Reading Rainbow*  · Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat*  · Shining Time Station · Square One Television · Seven Little Monsters · Teletubbies · Theodore Tugboat†  · Tots TV · Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? · Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? · Wimzie's House°  · Wishbone*  · Zoboomafoo*  · Zoobilee Zoo§  · ZOOM*
Note
This list does not include shows from networks airing PBS Kids shows that aren't funded directly by PBS, such as shows created by and funded by local PBS affiliates.
See also
* No new episodes are being produced; reruns still airing on many major PBS stations or on PBS Sprout.
§ Not distributed via PBS, but by American Public Television.
† Airing(as of 2009) on Qubo Channel. ∞-Airing (as of 2009) on Discovery Kids.
°—Airing (as of 2009) on This TV.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_%26_Friends"
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