(by 15 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: $12.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
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: $9.98 (as of 07/26/2008)
Some Love Barney. Here He Is. I love the owl.
Barney Love N Lights Hearts Barney
Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
V Tech - V.Smile Smartridge Barney The Land of Make Believe
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
Barney Barn Owl Plush from the Aurora Collection, 9"
Amazon Price: $9.79 (as of 07/26/2008)
Child's Barney Costume (Size:Medium-Toddler 2-4)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
Barney Groovin' Boom Box
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
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.
I never really looked at Barney as 'evil.' The show encourages kids to use their imagination, I mean afterall as the theme song goes 'Barney is a dinosaur from our imagination....'
Also, kids could not follow Barney off of a cliff, since he is from their imagination.
I think you maybe reading into Barney a bit too much. Just a kids show that is much better than the crap the network stations are airing these days.
Posted March 08, 2008
watching Barney isn't any worse than when we grew up with leave it to beaver and ozzie and harriet, just to name a few. These programs are trying to share a happiness that isn't always in life. Why don't we have stories about Jesus Christ our savior,He is real,and His message is "LOVE"..real love
Posted January 03, 2008
watching Barney isn't any worse than when we grew up with leave it to beaver and ozzie and harriet, just to name a few. These programs are trying to share a happiness that isn't always in life. Why don't we have stories about Jesus Christ our savior,He is real,and His message is "LOVE"..real love
Posted January 03, 2008
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KCStargazer
Hooked toddlers? Just because kids love something doesn't make it good for them. Barney is the crack cocaine of children's entertainment. They feel good while watching it but when the artificial high wears off - look out! Posted December 18, 2007 |
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KCStargazer
Thank you, Margaret. This insidiously insipid show has always creeped me out as have those way-too-happy-and-eager-to-please-Barney children on it. One in particular really has the "my stuff doesn't stink choir boy" air about him. How messed up will that child-star be in a few years? Think Britney.. Posted December 18, 2007 |
