Amid Mattel’s reboot announcement, why are Barney and Friends receiving online backlash?

On February 13, toy company Mattel declared that Barney and Friends, the beloved purple dinosaur and its friends who were a sensation among nineties kids, is making a comeback in a new animated series. The reboot will not be limited to just TV but will span across film, toys, books, clothing, and other merchandise. The global launch of the reimagined version of Barney and Friends is scheduled for 2024. Nevertheless, since the makers revealed the cartoon dinosaur’s new appearance, fans have expressed their discontent. Keep reading to learn more.

Why is Barney & Friends being trolled?

Barney’s revamped appearance has drawn criticism from netizens and fans who disapprove of the new look. The updated version of the lovable purple dinosaur appears to be more glamorized than the previous iteration, prompting fans to voice their objections. Many have noted that Barney’s face now appears thinner and more sculpted, and have even joked that he may have undergone buccal fat removal. For those unfamiliar, buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure that involves removing fat from the cheeks to accentuate the bone structure and create a more toned and slender facial appearance.

Why was the original Barney & Friends canceled?

Barney & Friends was created by Sheryl Leach in 1987. Although the show initially began as a series of direct-to-video productions, it eventually included real children who learned valuable lessons about family, friendship, nature, and other subjects from the lovable dinosaurs.

The original iteration of Barney & Friends from the 1990s was canceled due to a lawsuit filed by its producers. This came after the emergence of violent content depicting the destruction of the purple dinosaur, which eventually became more popular than the show itself. The first instance of this occurred in 1997, when the San Diego Chicken began creating comedic sketches in which Barney was beaten up. According to Sportskeeda, soon after this, a website published an article entitled “150 Ways to Kill The Dinosaur,” which further fueled the trend.

As this type of content gained more traction and popularity among viewers and fans, the producers decided to take legal action, as they believed it went against the show’s overall message.