Barney & Friends

Barney & Friends
Genre
  • Children's television series
  • Educational
  • Adventure
  • Musical
Created by
  • Sheryl Leach[1]
  • Kathy Parker
  • Dennis DeShazer
Based on
Barney & the Backyard Gang
by
  • Sheryl Leach
  • Kathy Parker
[1]
Voices of
  • Bob West
  • Duncan Brannan
  • Tim Dever
  • Dean Wendt
  • Julie Johnson
  • Patty Wirtz
  • Michaela Dietz
Opening theme"Barney Theme Song"
Ending theme"Barney's Dilemma" (1992–2000)
"Barney Theme Song" (2002–2010)
Composers
  • Philip Parker (1990–1999)
  • Bob Singleton (1990–2000)
  • Joe Phillips (1996–2009)
  • Holly Doubet[2]
  • Angelo Natalie[3]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons14
No. of episodes268 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Sheryl Leach (1988–1998)
  • Kathy Parker (1988–1993)
  • Dennis DeShazer (1988–2002)
  • Randy Dalton (2002–2005)
  • Karen Barnes (2006–2009)
Production locations
  • Allen, Texas (1992–1993; 2000–2001)
  • Irving, Texas (1994–2000)
  • Carrollton, Texas (2002–2009)
Running time30 minutes (1992–2005, 2008–2009)
15 minutes (2006–2007, 2010)
Production companies
  • Lyons Partnership, L.P.
  • Connecticut Public Television (1992–2006)
  • Lyrick Studios (1994–2000)
  • HIT Entertainment[4] (2002–2010)
  • WNET New York (2008–2010)
Original release
NetworkPBS[5]
ReleaseApril 6, 1992 (1992-04-06) –
November 2, 2010 (2010-11-02)
Related
  • Barney & the Backyard Gang
  • Barney's World
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Barney & Friends is an American children's television series created by Sheryl Leach targeted at children ages two to five. The flagship production of the Barney franchise, it originally aired on PBS through the PBS Kids block from April 6, 1992 to November 2, 2010, although new videos were still released on various dates after the last episode aired. It features and stars Barney, an anthropomorphic purple Tyrannosaurus rex who conveys educational messages through songs and small dance routines with a friendly, huggable and optimistic attitude.[6][7][8][9] Reruns aired on Sprout from 2005 to 2015, and from December 17, 2018 to January 25, 2020 on Sprout's successor network, Universal Kids, until the latter's closure on March 6, 2025. On October 6, 2015, the series was initially renewed for revival with a new season to premiere in 2017, but that never came to fruition.[10] A CGI-animated series Barney's World aired on Cartoon Network's Cartoonito on October 18, 2024, and streamed on HBO Max on October 14, 2024.[11][12]

While popular with its intended audience, Barney & Friends drew severe negative reaction from adults, who mocked the title character in popular culture through song parodies and comedy routines such as being beaten up by NBA star Charles Barkley on a Saturday Night Live episode.[13]

  1. ^ a b Hofmeister, Sallie (October 20, 1994). "A Blue Year for the Purple-and-Green Dinosaur". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  2. ^ Nunn, Brittany (November 29, 2021). "Dallas-Produced Musical 38 MINUTES Tells a First-Hand Story of the Hawaiian Missile Crisis". Dallas Observer. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  3. ^ Laguarda, Ignacio (May 13, 2023). "As a young composer, this Stamford man penned songs for 'Barney.' At 71, he's getting his music degree". StamfordAdvocate. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "Richard Leach; Bankrolled Creation of 'Barney' Dinosaur". Los Angeles Times. June 2, 2001. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  5. ^ Carter, Bill (March 21, 1994). "A Cable Challenger for PBS As King of the Preschool Hill". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  6. ^ Gorman, James (April 11, 1993). "TELEVISION VIEW; Of Dinosaurs Why Must This One Thrive?". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  7. ^ "Stuuuupendous!". Time. December 21, 1992. Archived from the original on August 12, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  8. ^ Cerone, Daniel (April 3, 1993). "Dinosaur Is a Star, Spreading Love With Hugs, Kisses, Songs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  9. ^ "Barney the launching pad". Los Angeles Times. January 30, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  10. ^ Vlessing, Etan (October 6, 2015). "MIPCOM: 'Barney & Friends' Set for Relaunch by Mattel, 9 Story". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  11. ^ Porter, Rick (February 13, 2023). "Barney the Dinosaur Gets Relaunch from Mattel". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ ""Barney's World" to Premiere Monday, October 14 on Max" (Press release). September 4, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  13. ^ Mitchell, W.J.T. (1998). "Chapter 37: Why Children Hate Dinosaurs". The Last Dinosaur Book: The Life and Times of a Cultural Icon. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-53204-6.