Barney the dinosaur's new look has caused major upset
Barney is no longer the same dinosaur from our imagination!
There are certain things that can trigger childhood nostalgia unlike anything else.
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Often it's the memory of a television show you grew up watching like Teletubbies, 'Haas Das se Nuuskas' or even Barney!
Only a few of these shows have been able to withstand the test of time and although we haven't watched them in years, your children probably won't grow up knowing the same shows you have.
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While there are lots of new, exciting and educational shows for kids to choose from, there was a special kind of excitement when Mattel recently announced that they will be bringing back everyone's favourite purple dinosaur.
There is one part of the announcement that has captured everyone's attention... and not in a good way.
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As it turns out, Barney will not be making his return as a man dressed up in a big purple dinosaur suit. Instead, he will be a colourfully animated dinosaur.
In creating the new series, it was important to us that we properly reflect the world that kids today live in so that the series can deliver meaningful lessons about navigating it. With our modern take on Barney, we hope to inspire the next generation to listen, care, and dream big. We think that parents, many of whom will fondly remember the original Barney from their own childhoods, will love the show, too.
Naturally people took to Twitter to air their grievances with his new appearance:
noo what happened to my Barney what have u done to him 😭-- pic.twitter.com/jWOSopnvnu
— rapmoonchild ˘︶˘ (@hyunggirines) February 16, 2023
Barney got the buccal fat removal pic.twitter.com/eS8rveyuiX
— Taietsarón:sere (@tai_leclaire) February 13, 2023
Buccal fat removal is a procedure where a pad of fat that naturally occurs in your cheeks is removed through plastic surgery in order to thin the cheeks.
Worst part of new barney's design is that his eyes are fully open. Barney needs his friendly sleepy eyes. pic.twitter.com/1naqdkP9f6
— 🍄 𝕄𝔸𝔻𝕊 𝔾 🍄 (@MadyGComics) February 14, 2023
They gave Barney contacts, a nose job and bigger veneers. Sad. pic.twitter.com/D2aWosH8AZ
— Veronica McDonald🗣 (@Purify_toast17) February 14, 2023
Maybe it's because I'm use to the OG Barney I grew up with during the '90s, but this new Barney looks like they gave him a face lift and some botox. pic.twitter.com/ltwIleBlSt
— Mat Brunet (AniMat) (@AniMat505) February 13, 2023
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There have been some people who have defended the new look:
I see that barney has a new redesign for his 2024 series. Honestly, I think he's cute. pic.twitter.com/T6blR2ReNo
— CJDestroyah Animation (@calebharris496) February 13, 2023
I dont think I've ever watched Barney before but I'm looking forward to watching new Barney pic.twitter.com/KYHFhSrVb5
— Marshall (@MarshallHeroPup) February 14, 2023
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Clearly, the new look has divided fans of the show, although one could argue that the real target audience, the kids, will most likely have no issue with Barney's new animated look.
The new show is set to launch in 2024 with a possible major motion picture in the works as well.
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Main image courtesy of @PopCrave/Twitter