‘That face is unsettling as hell’: Barney fans SLAM the purple dinosaur’s new look after getting a CGI makeover from Mattel
Barney’s new look is facing scrutiny across social media, after Mattel, Inc unveiled his CGI makeover on Monday while teasing the relaunch of his beloved franchise.
In response to the purple dinosaur’s new look, which included a wider grin, gap between his teeth and green eyes, many were left wondering why the company choose to fix some that ‘wasn’t broken.’
‘Why does Barney look like he’s sky high cracked on cocaine? That face is unsettling as hell,’ one Twitter user asked as more expressed horror over his new face and teeth.
Another joked that Barney underwent a ‘buccal fat removal.’
‘They gave Barney contacts, a nose job and bigger veneers. Sad,’ a third social media user penned on social media.
Oh no: Barney’s new look is facing scrutiny across social media, after Mattel, Inc unveiled his CGI makeover on Monday while teasing the relaunch of his beloved franchise
Dianna De La Garza, whose daughter Demi Lovato rose to fame portraying Angela on Barney & Friends in seasons seven and eight, also jumped into the conversation.
‘Aww man… I hate change,’ she wrote of the new version of Barney, which is completely animated.
On Monday, Mattel, Inc. announced it will be relaunching the beloved franchise as it unveiled their modernized new version of the beloved Tyrannosaurus rex.
The revitalization will occur across television, film, YouTube, music, toys, books, clothing, and more, a press release for the relaunch revealed.
Mattel is also developing a line of apparel and accessories of the original Barney for adult fans. In addition, a new animated series for preschool children is slated to debut globally in 2024.
News of the relaunch comes five months after Peacock released I Love You, You Hate Me, a docu-series exploring the ‘dark side’ of the world of Barney.
Much like the original program, ‘the series will feature the ubiquitous purple dinosaur and friends, introducing new audiences to the world of Barney through music-filled adventures centered on love, community, and encouragement,’ according to the release.
‘Barney’s message of love and kindness has stood the test of time,’ Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer and Global Head of Consumer Products at Mattel, said.
‘We will tap into the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with Barney, now parents themselves, and introduce the iconic purple dinosaur to a new generation of kids and families around the world across content, products, and experiences.’
‘Why does Barney look like he’s sky high cracked on cocaine? That face is unsettling as hell,’ one Twitter user asked as more expressed horror over his new face and teeth
‘ They gave Barney contacts, a nose job and bigger veneers. Sad,’ a third social media user penned on social media
Funny: Another joked that Barney underwent a ‘buccal fat removal’
‘That ain’t Barney brush they did my mans dirty,’ another Twitter user mused
Fred Soulie, SVP and General Manager of Mattel Television, said: ‘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.’
Created by Sheryl Leach, Barney & Friends originally debuted in 1992 and revolved around the purple dinosaur and his group of friends. It also helped launch the career of a young Selena Gomez, who appeared on the show.
The show ran until 2010, and despite it remaining a favorite amongst children and their parents, it was still a target of heavy mockery.
That backlash was explored in the 2021 Peacock docu-series, I Love You, You Hate Me – a play off the Barney theme song, I Love You, You Love Me.
I love you, you love me! The original series ran from 1992 to 2010 and saw Barney play games and problem solve with his friends
Rising star! The program also helped launched the career of Demi Lovato (L) and Selena Gomez (R)
When the trailer dropped, it sent people who grew up watching Barney flocking to social media to share their hilarious reactions.
Barney spawned a cottage industry of toys, merchandise, and live public performances that pulled in tens of thousands of frenzied nursery school fans.
As the Peacock docuseries details, cracks began to appear in the incessantly-optimistic world of the beloved T-Rex with a radiant Colgate smile.
Adults found him insufferable, and Barney became a catalyst for hate and the subject of vitriolic gossip. Rumors also plagued the show.
Those who worked on the show found themselves on the receiving end of savage threats: ‘They were violent and explicit, death and dismemberment of my family,’ said Bob West, who was the original voice of Barney. ‘They were going to come and find me, and they were going to kill me.’
‘Barney bashing’ turned into a national pastime with organized events and clubs such as ‘The Jihad to Destroy Barney,’ which was an online forum ‘dedicated to defamation, humiliation, eradication, killing, and removal of Barney the Purple Dinosaur… from every human’s life.’
But the saddest fate was saved for Sheryl Leach and her son Patrick, whom the show was originally inspired by in 1988 when Sheryl recognized a need for content to occupy her rambunctious two-year-old.
As it turns out, no amount of fame, fortune, and Barney’s ‘great big hugs’ could save the Leach family from scandal and upset behind the scenes; in fact, the family was rocked by a stunning divorce, followed by a suicide, and then later, Patrick’s 2013 arrest for shooting his neighbor.
‘In 1988, Sheryl Leach created a monster,’ reads the opening scene of the doc. ‘It was beyond what anybody could ever think would happen,’ said a former employee.
That backlash served as the basis of the 2021 Peacock docu-series, I Love You, You Hate Me – a play off the Barney theme song, I Love You, You Love Me
Created by Sheryl Leach, Barney & Friends originally debuted in 1992 and revolved around the purple dinosaur and his group of friends
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