by 21 people |
Some LOVE Barney. I don't....
I love you, you love me, we're a happy family.
Lots of people find Barney annoying, but they figure he's ok for little kids, who like that sort of thing. I'm here to tell you differently.
It's no joke. Barney really is insidiously evil.
Why Barney's Evil
Here are some of the top reasons why Barney gives me the creeps, and how he undermines my values.
- I want my children to learn what love is, and what family is, from their first days. Barney interferes with that learning. He says "I love you," but of course he doesn't love you.
- I prefer authenticity. The kids on Barney's show smile constantly, and act phoney.
- I value independent thinking. The kids on Barney & Friends would follow him off a cliff, if he sang a snappy song.
- I love many kinds of music. I want to share that love with my children. Barney's music is fake and unoriginal.
The talking Barney toy
From who else... Microsoft.
"When I hear Barney say, 'You're my special friend' -- that's a disingenuous statement," said Allen Cypher, a founder of Stagecast Software, which designs children's programs. "It's a fraudulent claim. It deceives kids into believing that Barney has some emotional attachment to them, and that's not true."
- Interactive Barney: Good or evil?
- It's a scary thought, that a little two year old could have a doll that pretends to be alive, and pretends to love her. What are these people thinking? Click above to read the rest of the article.
Barney Fans and Critics on the Web
You can get more information about Barney on these sites.
- Barney & Friends on Wikipedia
- This wikipedia article tells some of the details of the show, including its origins and the actors who have played various characters.
- Anti-Barney Humor on Wikipedia
- This article talks about various bits of humor targeting the big, purple dinosaur, and gives some details of trademark fights on the subject.
- Defense of Barney
- Here is an article defending Barney, from the National Review. Note that the author implies that it's the wholesomeness of Barney that we "bashers" object to. For wholesome, see Little Bear, below.
- The PBS Barney site
- PBS plays promos that talk about how Barney teaches good manners and friendliness. Here's their site about the show.
- Hit Entertainment
- This is the official Barney page. It's in flash.
Barney's Lyrics
Oh I'm brushing my teeth on top,
it's so much fun I hate to stop,
but while I'm brushing my teeth
and having so much fun,
I never let the water run.
No I never let the water run.
So this is a dumb song. But since when is dumb the same as evil?
That's a fair question. The problem I see with this sort of song is that it lies. I mean, I'm not having so much fun when I'm brushing my teeth, and neither is Barney, and neither are the smiling robot-children on the show. I don't know anyone who is.
And that lie has consequences.
Suppose you're two, and your authority on these things is Barney (who says he loves you). He makes it clear that you are expected to be "having so much fun" while brushing your teeth. If you're not, there's something wrong with you.
I don't want my children to start getting the message that they must conform to be loved. That's the message Barney, the dinosaur who loves you, puts across.
And did I mention he lies?
Some great children's shows!
Little Bear - Little Bear's Band
Little Bear and his friends are cute, sweet, and --emotionally-- real. I love these shows, as have all my children. There are actually 12 episodes on this DVD, four about music, and three other sets of four shows on other topics.
Amazon Price: $14.49 (as of 12/05/2009) 
Teletubbies - Blue Sky - Fantastic Friends and Springtime Surprises
Ok, these little folks are a little strange, but they're fun, and cute. And apparently, babies don't mind how they talk. :) If you haven't seen them, they're worth a try.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
Some Love Barney. Here He Is. I love the owl.
Barney Love N Lights Hearts Barney
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/05/2009)
V Tech - V.Smile Smartridge Barney The Land of Make Believe
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
Plush Barney Barn Owl 9"
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
Child's Barney Costume (Size:Medium-Toddler 2-4)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
Barney Groovin' Boom Box
Amazon Price: (as of 12/05/2009)
Barney Bargains. Why Spend More???
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Tell your Barney story.
Share your opinion
Please scroll up to the top and rate this lens by clicking on a star.
Have any Barney stories to tell? Want to argue with me? Here's the place.
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- Jessica P Jessica P Jun 22, 2009 @ 10:14 am
- Ditto Ray Martin!
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- EverythingMouse EverythingMouse May 6, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
- Interesting point of view. I have endured, and yes I do mean endured the Barney show at Universal Studios many times. One of my least favorite shows. What always amazes me too is the fight to get on the front row. At the entrance the floor gets wet as there is a rain effect - and yes, people push and shove so much I have seen them fall over!
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- AndrewShim AndrewShim Apr 30, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
- My kids loved Barney when they were small. Now, they find him "a bit kiddie and irritating". I think it's probably the growing up thing. They realize that nothing in the world is as "hunky dory" as Barney makes it out to be. Barney takes the feel-good thing way over the top... but I'd rather have an overdose of goody-goody teaching than have my kids watch some of the reeeeeeaaly evil show on TV. Personally, Baby-Bob just makes my skin crawl. She is THE ONE character in Barney that I have an issue with - she's childish, irritating and speaks in that stupid shrieky voice.
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- California_Dreamin California_Dreamin Apr 5, 2009 @ 2:21 am
- Very entertaining and, enlightening lens. My son had a Barney video and Barney doll when he was little (both were gifts). Barney always irritated me, but I never thought too deeply about why. I think you've hit the nail on the head here. Barney is a phony.
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- Carla Carla Feb 8, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
- I do agree that Little Bear is The Best reading and watching for little ones. I disagree however about Barney being evil. My children all watched Barney...we taped many episodes and bought the specials, the dolls; and a few other Barney things.
We as adults could analyze any program with our "corrupted" minds and call it evil. This is childrens' televison; and they don't analyze...at least not to the point many adults do. They are innocent, with innocent minds. Barney teaches good and positive behavior...includes everyone and doesn't try to make any child feel like they have to conform to anything; only promotes Positive. Nice for a change...the way the world is today!
My children have grown up to be wonderful young adults; and as I said before...they Loved Barney. It has to be more about what we as parents teach in the home than any child's program our children enjoy.
Lighten up, huh!
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by Margaret_Schaut
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