Barney

Many observers have argued that rock and roll, through every one of its transformations, ultimately serves to provoke irritation in parents; by that standard, Barney qualifies as the genre’s most complete embodiment. A purple dinosaur created expressly for the toddler audience, the character commands little respect among older listeners, yet few musical acts in recent memory have so reliably exasperated adults—or anyone capable of feeding themselves. Toddlers embrace him without reservation, propelling him to massive commercial success through an extensive catalog of recordings, books, and videos. The project originated with Sheryl Leach, a mother and former teacher. At its height, the self-titled series ranked as the most-viewed preschool program on public television, drawing 13.5 million weekly viewers and reaching 20 countries across six continents.

Educators praised the show for its instructional content and for its interactive design, which invited the youngest viewers to join in songs and movement. The program in turn generated a thriving market for toys and related products, among them the albums Sleepytime Songs (1995), Fabulous Funtime Tales (1996), Sleepytime Slumber Stories (1996), and Run Jump Skip & Sing (1997). Its most familiar number, the widely imitated “I Love You, You Love Me,” captured the program’s straightforward, affectionate tone.