THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994 TAG: 9406070046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMMY SCOTT, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
DATELINE: 940607 LENGTH: Medium
``For one thing, she's not into them as much,'' I said.
{REST} ``Well, I personally think Barney is stupid,'' she said.
``Don't do your bedroom in Barney then,'' I said with a laugh.
The day after our conversation, I took my toddler, Lana, to the toy store. We were on a mission to buy some bubbles - the only thing she obsesses over more than Barney. So I thought. No sooner had we entered the store and I placed her in a cart that her shrieks began.
``Barneeee, see Barneeeeee!''
This in itself did not surprise me. Heck, she was saying ``Arney'' before Mommy and Daddy were audible. What did surprise me, however, is that I did not see Barney. Lana turned and looked to me as if to say, what's wrong with you?
She pointed up and there he was in all his purple glory dangling from the ceiling. Life-sized, with a $59.99 price tag hanging from his neck. He was on special.
At this point, I had no choice but to meander over to the display. Lana was in Barney-land, a toddler's Mardi Gras. The talking Barney (squeeze my right hand or press my tummy) that says hundreds of phrases was also marked down. Only $24.99. Last Christmas, one could not find a talking Barney for less than $65. Alas! A break for us consumers, but not a good sign for our purple pal.
Then it hit me. Maybe my friend is right. Barney is on the way out, a has-been, getting kicked to the curb. He's on his way to extinction.
Gee, I sure hope not.
You see, Barney is more than OK in my book. He causes Lana to giggle to the point of near hysteria. She dances around the living room oblivious to all else when he and ``the backyard gang'' kids are singing. And although I believe it is up to parents to instill morals, ethics and common decency in children, every show I have seen carries a positive message. I personally would much rather see her laughing over Barney singing a silly ABC-123 song than to see her laugh at a cartoon character getting bonked on the head.
I am sure the time will come when she outgrows Barney. But until then, she and I will watch him and enjoy. I'll revel in her happiness and applaud her when she dances around the living room. I hope she will remember me cuddling her, misty-eyed trying to disguise the lump in my throat as I sang (and she tried) to sing the ``I love you, you love me song'' along with Barney.
Some day she'll look back on Barney fondly as a childhood friend. A soft, plush purple smiley thing that gave her comfort at night.
So, to you disbelievers out there, please stop the ``Barney-bashing.'' As for me, I say he's stu-u-u-pendous, and I hope he's around for a little while longer.
by CNB