Social Media Weighs In On Mattel Relaunching Barney as an Animated Series

It is the era of the reboot, and Barney is the latest childhood treasure being reimagined, though the new and improved dinosaur has left adult fanatics laughing and dragging.

On Monday, Mattel announced that the Barney franchise was returning with a new “modern take” meant to introduce a new generation to the adored character through a wide range of products. A new line of apparel featuring the classic Barney character will be arriving for the viewers who have now grown up. But for the younger crowd, the “new” Barney will be a fully animated series that’ll take kids on fun adventures, all geared towards learning and helping the community. 

Social media naturally had a lot to say about the reboot, both rooting for it and denouncing it. Most of the feedback is pertaining to Barney’s makeover, which is drastically different from the live-action puppet. 

Absolutely not. We watching OG Barney in this dancery or nothing at all https://t.co/k7JFCgdzHZ

— Uptown Jackie Brown (@indy_ugh) February 13, 2023

Of course they were gonna update the way how Barney looks. Imagine if that nigga was still walking around looking like Shannon Sharpe pic.twitter.com/ZpNKr8SeAK

— Smitty Werbenjagermanjenson (@ChiddenxNuddet) February 13, 2023

I don’t like how they gave Barney Rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, brow lift and a th0t gap. https://t.co/lGbEwjFKLK

— Boochie Da Sleeze (@stoppfeenin) February 13, 2023

They gave Barney contacts, a nose job and bigger veneers. Sad. pic.twitter.com/D2aWosH8AZ

— Veronica McDonald🗣 (@Purify_toast17) February 14, 2023

Barney is returning. They better not make him woke.

— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) February 13, 2023

Barney got the buccal fat removal pic.twitter.com/eS8rveyuiX

— Taietsarón:sere (@tai_leclaire) February 13, 2023

It’s unclear why the creators diverted so drastically from Barney’s original look. Nevertheless, the finished product is ready to make its debut. The new series will be co-produced by Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana in collaboration with Mattel Television and will debut later this year. However, it’s unclear which network or streaming platform will have the honor of showcasing the new series.