MilkywayCannonball Barney was a dearly beloved part of my childhood, and not something I regret loving. It burdens me greatly that this harmless and lovable show is so widely despised, and often due to untrue rumors. First of all, the 'strangers are a friend you haven't met' thing. It simply never happened. Not a real episode or something Barney ever said. Second, the condoning cheating claim. There was an episode where the kids balance peanuts on spoons in a race. One boy puts peanut butter on his spoon and is told he is creative. This is just played off as a silly joke. Kids are smarter than they get credit for. I've heard there is some episode where they supposedly say it's okay to steal if the person you steal from doesn't mind it. Not only does that not really make sense, but I cannot find evidence of it. It's possible this one really happened, but I have a strong feeling it was also played as a joke or something, and not really saying this. Barney is often accused of teaching kids that magic solves all their problems. I say this simply isn't the case. Remember that Barney only exists in the kids' imaginations. Therefor, the kids are solving problems with their imaginations. In fact, this show encourages a lot of imagination.Something else people don't like is the fact that most of the kids are so much older than the target audience, and act like younger kids. I like to think this is just another example of what TV Tropes calls Dawson Casting. I also feel that the kids are probably playing kids in like first grade. I also have found they usually act like they are sharing conversation with each other, not just learning preschool stuff they didn't already know. People also don't like the positive attitudes and happiness this show encourages. I say it has great messages that are sadly underrated. While this might not be a great show for most older than it's target audience, I feel it is a cute and harmless show with great messages young kids need. I also don't find it to talk down to kids like most claim.

zsofikam For a bit of background, I really enjoyed this show a lot when I was younger. My possessions included a Barney doll and some DVDs and I even saw Barney at Universal Studios. However, once I got to grade school I began to jump on the anti-Barney bandwagon with my classmates. It was when I began my babysitting job that I noticed how much many of my charges loved Barney that I remembered how much I myself used to like it. I've heard some people complain about how Barney only teaches about happiness. What's wrong with happiness? Do you think young kids need to be shown sadness, anger, and fear? Kids aren't immune to life an their lives are more than what they see on a TV show. Plus, it doesn't teach exclusively happiness. There are times when it talks about sadness, anger, fear, embarrassment, etc. It is true that they are happy most of the time but what else would you expect from a preschool show. While that is the main complaint I see, apparently people actually insult kid's shows for being too imaginative. Apparently there's a surprising amount of people who think imagination must be drug-fueled and I'm not sure if they're serious or joking but if your serious, hear me out. Imagination is a wonderful thing and was how you came up with what to write in your reviews. If you don't like it then fine, you're allowed to have your opinion but please don't hold a show's penchant for joy and imagination against it.

georgefamilycrafts Many folks on these reviews have either never watched the show or allow the television to raise their children. This show is great for preschoolers and my kids both loved it when they were little. In my case, I actually monitor what my children watch, and I find nothing wrong with Barney. The show tries to promote what most of us accept as good social behavior. Some of the reviews on here are so ridiculous that I will not even try to respond to them. I would hate to hear what the same people think about the old cartoons I watched as a kid. Great show for preschoolers... don't listen to these trolls with these absolutely ignorant, bad reviews. Thanks, Actual parent of two young kids that loved Barney as toddlers!

seananmcgoldrick You don't want your kids to grow up and steal from people, believe in strangers, think magic is real or think that eating junk food & becoming fat is okay, do you? I don't. That's why I'm writing this review.He may love you, he may love me, but most people don't love him back.The annoying purple dinosaur appeared in 1988 to the joyful squeals of children... and the pathetic screams of adults. Don't believe me? Check them out on Yahoo.There are 19 (and counting) anti-Barney sites, while only 7 pro-Barney sites.4 reasons why some episodes are bad:1."A stranger is a friend you haven't met."Sadly, children actually buy this hoax. According to news, children have been captured by people, who could be killers for all we know, and we can blame Barney for that.2."Stealing is okay." Barney, what? Are you trying to ENCOURAGE kids to grow up and be criminals? Get locked up in jail like animals at a zoo? Seriously, think before you tell the kids this.3. The kids in it act like the only edible think in the world is junk food. Seriously, if you want healthy kids, make them eat healthy stuff.4. It's rated U!!!! Yet it teaches kids the opposite of what is right! This should be BANNED! So please, if you want a great future for our kids then:DON'T SHOW THEM BARNEY!!!!!!!!!!!