Jace_the_Peanuts_Fan

I loved the original Barney and Friends series when I was younger, but I'm now neutral to it. I initially wasn't planning to watch the reboot, Barney's World, but I found myself intrigued by a few brief clips on YouTube before it aired. After watching those clips, I decided to check out some full episodes, and I'm guessing I've watched around 11 or 12 of them so far. I must admit that the reboot is better than the original series; it's one of the few reboots that improve upon the source material. However, it's possible that you won't like it if you're a fan of the source material. If you like or dislike the original Barney or dislike the reboot, I respect your taste.

Unlike the original series, Barney's World is in CGI, allowing the characters to have more movement and facial expressions. To name a few examples, BJ can spin while riding his scooter and do other neat tricks with it (please don't correct me about his name. More about that later), and he, Barney, and Baby Bop can now smile, frown, droop their eyelids, twitch their eyebrows, and more. Because the main trio were originally costumed characters, they could only express their feelings through their voices and body movements, lacking facial expressions other than perpetual smiles. Plus, Barney can now bounce on his tail like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and Wubbzy from Wow Wow Wubbzy, and he can do flips too. These new talents make me appreciate his reboot portrayal even more.

In the original series, Barney was known for his excitement and energy, which were a couple of his best traits. The reboot captures these qualities and his movements beautifully, and it's easy to imagine him performing those movements such as bouncing on his tail and doing flips if he originally had the capability.

As a side note, I've heard a few people say that the purple dinosaur's design from the original series was creepy (even long before the reboot was announced). Some of those same people have said that he looks less frightening now because he's currently animated. Personally, I don't find the classic Barney creepy; however, it is valid to acknowledge that his earliest design from the late 1980s was unsettling.

Barney has a new voice that sounds nothing like his old one. Instead, he sounds exactly like Ord from Dragon Tales, and both characters sound a lot like Patrick from SpongeBob, which makes me like his voice even more than I ever imagined. Some people say that his original voice sounded dopey, and I agree. As for his new voice, I've heard similar-sounding cartoon voices far too many times to be annoyed by it. I know many people have acknowledged that Barney sounds like Ord, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Interestingly, I already noticed that before I heard anyone bring it up.

Unlike the original series, the characters in this version don't sing about nearly everything they do or see every 5 minutes or so. Instead, there are only 1 to 2 songs per episode, much to my amazement. While most of the songs are originals, four songs from the source material are back: "Everyone Is Special," "The Clean Up Song," "I Love You," and "The Dino Dance." "The Dino Dance" is my favorite song from the entire Barney franchise, and "Everyone Is Special" is another one of my favorites, so I'm glad both have returned.

The original version of "The Clean Up Song" is my least favorite Barney song because it repeats the same lyrics over and over again and has no other lyrics. In contrast, the new version features more lyrics and doesn't rely on repetition as much, which makes me appreciate it more.

"I Love You" has been renamed "I Love You, I Love Me Too," and most of the words have been changed. Plus, it's not sung at the end of every episode, only some. The song emphasizes that loving yourself is just as important as loving others, which I believe is a positive and valuable message. The background music sounds similar to music from old video games, which makes me like it even more.

The series, despite its changes, continues to embody Barney's core values of imagination, friendship, kindness, and the importance of community, along with other familiar elements. Barney and his friends remain kind, caring, and supportive of one another, demonstrating how to communicate emotions and help each other navigate difficult feelings. Similar to the original series, the reboot features a racially diverse cast of characters who treat each other with respect and promote acceptance of different ethnicities, and that's one of the best aspects of both incarnations. Barney's friend group includes David, a heavier black boy; Vivie, a white girl; and Mel, a Latina girl who is a tomboy and prefers a not-so-feminine fashion sense.

One episode that stands out to me and has a particularly good moral is the first episode, "The Floor is Grape Jelly." David's mother needs David's help taking care of his baby sister and gives him 5 more minutes to play in the park with his friends. He wants to stay longer and doesn't want to help his family. During their playtime, the characters play a game called The Floor is Grape Jelly, a parody of The Floor is Lava. Throughout the game, David helps his friends with difficult situations: he gives Vivie a snack when she's starving, gets Mel's shoe unstuck, and gives Barney a push when he's stuck. Through these acts of kindness, David learns how enjoyable helping others can be, realizes what a great friend he truly is, and finally agrees to help out with his sister.

One aspect I really appreciate about this episode is how it captures the essence of childhood play while subtly teaching an important lesson. The concept of turning a mundane situation into a fun game makes it relatable for kids, showing them that even chores can have a playful twist.

Additionally, the dynamic between the characters is a great example of teamwork and friendship. Each act of kindness David performs not only aids his friends but also strengthens their bond, showing how helping others can create a supportive community.

The episode also emphasizes empathy, as David thoughtfully responds to his friends' needs rather than just focusing on his desires. This encourages viewers to think about how their actions can affect those around them. Overall, it's a beautifully crafted story that resonates with both children and adults alike, highlighting the joys of friendship and the rewards of being helpful.

I must admit that Mattel is managing the re-release of Barney much better than their approach to Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, and Fireman Sam. This isn't solely due to the improvements in the reboot but also because they create classic Barney merchandise for longtime fans and upload new videos featuring the original Barney on YouTube and TikTok. This clearly shows that, despite the changes, they still care deeply about old fans, don't ignore the past, and are not trying to replace the original series.

Therefore, it might be more accurate to consider Barney's World as a non-canon spinoff of the original Barney and Friends rather than a reboot. Why can't more companies handle the revivals of their franchises similarly? Why can't Mattel adopt the same approach for Thomas, Bob the Builder, and Fireman Sam? Do they not care about the original fans of those three shows? If you're wondering, I am a fan of the classic versions of these shows, but not the modern versions.

Like most good shows, Barney's World is not without its flaws, and some changes have occurred that are not entirely justifiable. Here's what I dislike about it:

1) BJ has been renamed Billy for some reason. There are rumors that this change was made because BJ has become a commonly used acronym for an inappropriate slang term that I probably shouldn't use, but I don't believe that's the case. If I remember correctly, I heard he was renamed to make it more obvious that he was named after the creator's father, though I could be mistaken.

2) BJ and Baby Bop are now fully naked most of the time, and I have to admit they look bare without their usual accessories. However, they do sometimes wear other items, like bike helmets and goblin costumes, which I think suit them better than nothing at all.

3) Speaking of BJ and Baby Bop, they seem to be underutilized in the series. They primarily serve as comic relief and have significantly less screen time than Barney and the children. Unfortunately, we know very little about their reboot incarnations. I hope we learn more about them as the series progresses.

4) In "The Floor is Grape Jelly," Barney briefly goes off-character when he says it's good to help friends, pets, friends' pets, and pets' friends. David then points out, "You forgot family, Barney." It's surprising that Barney would forget to mention family, as that's not what you would expect from his character.

5) There isn't a new full version of "The Dino Dance." Only a brief snippet of it is sung in the episode "Barney's Birthday." Maybe a full version will be sung in the future. Who knows?

In conclusion, Barney's World successfully revives the beloved character for a new generation while maintaining the core values that made the original series so cherished. The improvements in animation, voice acting, and song selection contribute to a fresh and engaging experience that both honors its predecessor and stands on its own. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the franchise, there's something valuable to take away from each episode. While opinions on the reboot may vary, it's clear that Barney and his friends continue to inspire kindness, imagination, and acceptance, making them relevant and heartwarming figures in children's entertainment today.

Several Childish Dad videos have been recommended to me on YouTube for years. However, I never watched any of them until 6 months ago because I found a few videos I was curious about when I read the titles. I could tell just by the words "and Gets Grounded" in some of the titles that this was going to be another unoriginal, cringeworthy GoAnimate grounded series, so I knew I wasn't going to like the Childish Dad series anyway. IDK how many videos I've watched, but I'm guessing that I've seen 7-14 full videos, so I gave the series a fair chance. I won't watch any more episodes unless I find more that I'm curious about.

My main issue with Childish Dad is the way the protagonist, Dave Johnson aka Childish Dad, is constantly being rejected by his family because of his love for kid's stuff, mainly preschool shows like Barney and The Wiggles. This makes the family dynamic ageist and a form of opinion-bashing. His wife, Catherine, forbids him from watching preschool shows and getting his hands on preschool show merchandise because he's "too old" for them, while their children, Brian and Emma, always support Catherine's decisions and side with her.

The series portrays Dave as the "bad guy" just because of his inability to express his needs (more about that later) and quote-unquote childish interests. Being too old for a TV series or product is a ridiculously lazy and invalid excuse in many cases because it overlooks their quality overall, ignores the fact that some preschool programs and children's products can appeal to all ages, and is likely a sign that one has never given them a chance. Just because certain shows or products are made for younger kids doesn't mean they suck or people other than the target age range can't enjoy them. Some people do indeed grow out of things they enjoyed when they were younger, but it shouldn't lead to behaviors regarding age discrimination.

Dave mentions in several episodes that he has autism and behaves the way he does because of that. The stereotype that autistic people throw tantrums and are poorly behaved is highly offensive. Many experience meltdowns due to overstimulation, leading to a loss of emotional control, and they need care and understanding. In contrast, tantrums result from wanting something and failing to express that desire appropriately. As someone with autism who enjoys preschool shows and toys, I find Dave's portrayal and family dynamic particularly insulting.

Nearly every episode follows the same basic "cookie-cutter" plot: Dave/Childish Dad wants something-usually preschool show merchandise or some other product made for kids. Catherine says no, which leads him to a meltdown, and he gets grounded or kicked out of his destination at the end. Just because every episode of a show follows the same formula doesn't mean it sucks, but the only differences between all the Childish Dad episodes are that the Johnson family is at a different place and Dave wants a different item, making them nearly indistinguishable from each other. Not to mention, most episodes repeat their dialogue word for word, with the only difference being the item Dave says he wants. If you've seen one Childish Dad episode, you've seen them all.

Several of the characters' quotes are overused, especially Dave's "Stop that, you entitled Karen!" and Catherine's "Dave, stop it! You're not only embarrassing yourself but also the whole family!".

Similarly, the title character's obsession with Barney is acknowledged in every episode. He treats the purple dinosaur like a figure of reverence, almost like his Lord and Savior.

There are several episodes where Dave receives presents for Christmas and his birthday where he receives products that are "age appropriate" rather than what he requests, causing him to have meltdowns. For instance, in one episode, Catherine gives him a Sonic the Hedgehog game for Christmas when he wants a Sesame Street game, Elmo's Zoo Adventure, instead. In another episode, she gives him DVDs of adult shows like Family Guy and South Park when he wanted preschool show DVDs instead. Dave's family is aware of his dislikes, making it possible that they're intentionally tormenting him. These actions not only disregard his feelings but seem to push his buttons, causing unnecessary distress.

Dave is not allowed to do anything or receive anything without Catherine's permission, and I don't understand why. He always asks her to buy toys and preschool show merchandise for him and to take him to kids' places, such as the Peppa Pig store at the mall or Chuck E. Cheese. However, she never allows it. Dave could easily buy those products for himself or go to those places on his own unless he doesn't have any money.

For example, in the episode where he wants to go to the Peppa Pig store, he could simply go by himself while his family does what they want to do since they're all at the same mall and not too far away from each other. In another episode, he lies to Catherine about going for a walk but instead sneaks off to the mall for a meet-and-greet with Dorothy the Dinosaur from The Wiggles, only to get grounded for it afterward. It seems excessive for Catherine to ground Dave as an adult with his own house just because he wanted to meet Dorothy. He should be able to make his own choices, especially when it comes to something fun like that.

If Dave really wanted to go to the mall, it seems he should be allowed to do so without getting into trouble. It's not like he's making a hugely irresponsible decision; he is simply trying to enjoy something he loves. What bothers me even more is the possibility that if Dave were to ask for something essential, like food or clothes, Catherine might still deny him. This raises questions about how fair her control is over his choices.

Dave is a 37- or 38-year-old man who has a house of his own, so he shouldn't still get grounded no matter how he behaves. Plus, Catherine can't ground him because she's not his mother. Brian and Emma shouldn't be grounding him either, especially since he's their father and one of their main authority figures, while they act like they're two of his authority figures.

Speaking of Brian and Emma, they're flat and boring characters. They do nothing but side with their mother and sometimes assist her with punishing Dave. Therefore, their character relies exclusively on the actions of the people around them, leaving them with little to no individuality or personality.

The characters are poorly animated at times. The best example I can think of is that whenever Dave lies on the floor and throws a quote-unquote tantrum, he looks like he's dancing or flexing his muscles rather than banging his limbs on the floor.

Because of Dave and Catherine's dysfunctional relationship and hatred for each other, I can't imagine how they can handle living together or why they haven't divorced. If I were in their position, I would end the marriage immediately. However, in a few YouTubers' versions of the Childish Dad series, the couple divorces, and Dave remarries a woman named Bridget aka Childish Mom, who is a better match for him. When they meet for the first time in one version, they watch Barney and play with a Barney stuffed animal, and nobody stops them. Finally, Dave can live the life he wants! Unfortunately, he remains married to Catherine in most uploaders' versions. Why can't there be more videos about them divorcing?

In contrast to all the negatives, Dave once expressed the benefits of being different, particularly his experience with autism and the importance of independence, better than I could. In a video where he and Catherine divorce, he stated, "I don't want to deal with you anymore. You always complain about how childish I am, yet you never let me make my own choices. Having autonomy and doing things without your approval is a huge part of maturing, and depriving me of my autonomy prevents me from maturing. Oh, I am too old for kids' shows? That's bullspit. The most productive adults I know love kids' shows, whether it be Scooby Doo or Barney and Friends. Mature adults don't obsess over how much preschool shows suck, nor do they disrespect others who like them; they focus on other things, like working or paying bills.

You also never allow me to be myself. Mature adults are comfortable in their own skin and don't act like someone they're not, which you are also banning me from. After all, we are all unique in our own way. Worse yet, you are trying to convert me, an autistic man, to fit in more with neurotypical people. Autism is not a condition I chose to have, nor is it a disease that needs to be cured. It's just who I am as a unique individual. Albert Einstein was autistic. If he was forced to act more like a neurotypical, he wouldn't have made all those scientific discoveries he did.

Lastly, suicide is nothing to joke about, let alone tell others to do, no matter how much they dislike them. Suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. Many people who had their whole lives ahead of them and the potential to be successful lost that opportunity due to suicide.

You know what? I am divorcing you and taking Ivy and Ana with me. You can take care of Brian and Emma by yourself. I hope I never see you again. In fact, I might even file a restraining order against you. I hope you're happy now."

In conclusion, while the Childish Dad series may appeal to some viewers for its humor, its portrayal of the main character and family dynamics raises concerns. Issues like ageism, misunderstanding of autism, and a lack of empathy toward Dave's interests lead to a repetitive narrative. The show reinforces negative stereotypes and fails to delve into deeper emotional themes. Until it evolves to offer a more balanced perspective (which I doubt will ever happen), I find it hard to support it. Addressing these issues could make the series more inclusive and enjoyable for a wider audience.

I loved Sesame Street ever since birth (or close enough), and I still love it today, even though I'm no longer the target audience. While I grew up with other Sesame Street Christmas specials, I didn't grow up with Elmo Saves Christmas. However, I watched it for the first time on YouTube a few years back, and there was a treat in store for me.

There are other Christmas specials where characters wish for every day to be Christmas and get their wish, including "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas" and The Fairly Oddparents' "Christmas Every Day," and each one tackles different consequences of that wish. Elmo Saves Christmas is probably one of those specials that shows the most negative and effective results of the wish; Snuffy is visiting his grandma in Cincinnati the whole time, causing Big Bird to miss him terribly and eventually believe they'll never see each other again, while Santa Claus and his elves are overworked. Plus, when Elmo time travels to December 25th of the following year, most public places go out of business due to being closed for an entire year and not making any money. Meanwhile, the whole population of Sesame Street-except for Oscar, who receives used wrapping paper every day and enjoys watching everyone else be miserable-has grown all "Christmased out." They no longer want to celebrate the holiday and don't know what to do anymore. Even The Count gets tired of counting all the Christmases and celebrating the holiday, despite his obsession with counting. Because of these circumstances, the characters begin to see the holiday as a curse rather than one of the greatest joys of the year. As if things couldn't get any more unfortunate, Santa sees no point in delivering presents anymore because not only are he and his elves exhausted, but nobody wants gifts from him anymore, causing him to retire and move to Florida.

These scenes resonate with me because they highlight some of the most significant drawbacks of having every day be Christmas. For instance, the idea that people who leave town for Christmas might never return home adds a poignant and sometimes heartbreaking layer to the story, emphasizing the pain of separation and the long-lasting absence of loved ones. Santa's retirement also feels like a major loss, symbolizing how traditions can change and fade away. The characters' growing distaste for the holiday-evidenced by their exhaustion and refusal to celebrate-drives home the idea that too much of a good thing can diminish its value. As Santa puts it, "Christmas is fun, but Christmas every day is too much," reinforcing the belief that part of what makes Christmas special is that it comes once a year. The essence of the holiday lies in its annual celebration, creating anticipation and joy around the season. Ultimately, the special reminds us that the limited nature of these moments is what makes them truly meaningful.

The story also shows us that even a place as wholesome as Sesame Street can fall into despair under the right conditions. The moment where Elmo time travels to Christmas a year after he makes his wish is probably one of the show's darkest moments in its entire history, but what makes it work so well is how surprisingly realistic it feels. If every day were Christmas in real life, many people would be broke due to constantly buying gifts and never going to work anymore, there would be deforestation from new Christmas trees constantly being bought, some individuals would never again physically see their friends who leave town for the holidays, and society would begin to hate the holiday due to it ruining their lives. The consequences of Elmo's actions are realistic while still being completely kid-friendly, striking a perfect balance. Overall, the message is just as true for adults as for children. This idea about the specialness of occasions is beautifully captured in a song that resonates with many feelings about birthdays.

In the song, Santa sings, "Every day can't be Christmas. That wouldn't be such a treat. You can get tired of chocolate candy when that's all you eat. Every day can't be your birthday. That wouldn't be much fun. Too many birthdays aren't half as nice as one." Later, Elmo sings the same song. These lyrics resonate deeply with me because I don't find my birthday special anymore, and as a result, I stopped celebrating it a long time ago. I would dislike it even more if the "big day" happened daily. The song helped me appreciate that it comes just once a year. However, I bet some kids wish their birthdays would come every day. As far as I know, there aren't many stories where characters' birthdays are celebrated daily with a similar moral to this one, much to my disappointment.

Considering this is Sesame Street, everything turns out okay at the end. Thankfully, Elmo goes back in time to when he made his wish, stops himself from getting his hands on the magic snowglobe Santa gives him, and learns from his mistakes before it's too late. As a result, Christmas comes once a year again. Surprisingly, when Snuffy is on his way to Cincinnati, his grandma visits him instead, causing him to stay in town for the holidays, much to Big Bird's happiness.

Some of you might think that it's off-character for Oscar to like the idea of Christmas every day because he is shown to hate the holiday in other Sesame Street Christmas specials. Even though he usually hates Christmas, the idea of him enjoying a holiday where the rest of the characters are "Christmased out" fits quite well with his personality because we all know how much he loves being negative and seeing others miserable. Plus, the unique situation of used wrapping paper being thrown in his trash can every day genuinely bringing him joy also fits because he is obsessed with trash. Overall, he gets to experience the holiday in his own clever, twisted way.

Unlike most other specials and movies where it's Christmas every day, December 25th doesn't always repeat itself in this story, and everyone is aware of every day being Christmas, not just Elmo. The days progress normally, but every day is celebrated as Christmas, affecting everyone. This means that everyone must participate in holiday festivities daily, such as singing holiday songs, giving and receiving presents, and eating turkey. Additionally, Elmo embarks on a journey through time to experience Christmas in the spring and summer, ultimately arriving at the following year's December 25th. These unique elements contribute to the special's originality and help it stand out as a distinct story.

The jokes in this piece are clever and hilarious. One standout moment features Cookie Monster disguising himself as Santa to get his hands on the cookies that Elmo leaves for Santa, although Elmo can see through his disguise. There are other amusing jokes as well, such as the elves accidentally giving a stuffed cow bunny ears, prompting Santa to call it a "moobunny." Additionally, Bert and Ernie are confused when they hear references to Bert and Ernie from It's a Wonderful Life.

There are a few things I don't like about this special. 1) The Easter Bunny has an extremely scratchy, creepy-sounding voice. 2) Santa gives Elmo 2 options for presents: a pink teddy bear and a snow globe. I'm intrigued as to why he doesn't give Elmo both of them. 3) Plot hole: During the entire period of Christmas every day, there's nothing on TV except for It's a Wonderful Life, and the characters eventually get tired of watching it over and over again. Did It's a Wonderful Life air on every channel the whole time? Did they not air other Christmas movies, like Rudolph or Frosty? 4) While it makes some sense for real Christmas trees to be endangered, some of the characters could buy artificial trees instead. After all, some stores are open on Christmas Day.

In conclusion, Elmo Saves Christmas offers a thought-provoking and heartfelt exploration of the significance of holiday traditions and the importance of balance in our lives. By emphasizing that the rarity of special occasions, like Christmas and birthdays, enhances their value, the special imparts wisdom that resonates with audiences of all ages. The story serves as a reminder that joy arises from anticipation and that too much of a good thing can lead to distaste. Ultimately, through Elmo's journey, we learn that celebrating these moments only once a year allows us to fully appreciate their magic, fostering a sense of community and love that makes the holiday season truly meaningful.