![barney barney](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/barney/images/a/aa/Campfire_Sing-Along_Original_Cover.jpg)
At this time, the only preschool aged programs around were Sesame Street and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, however, they appealed to a larger age range, rather than strictly toddlers.
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At the time, the only thing that could hold Patrick’s attention was a “Wee Sing” video. This prompted Leach to develop a show herself.
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Her initial thought was the notice of children carrying snugly security objects, such as blankets and teddy bears. Leach thought the idea of a talking blanket and teddy bear interacting with children were a neat idea, however, the blanket concept was too hard to pull off. Sheryl Leach proposed a preschool video series, which eventually would be Barney & The Backyard Gang, to DLM, Inc (Developmental Learning Materials). At the time Sheryl Leach was working at DLM, Inc. The board she proposed to turned her down. Sheryl's idea was brought to production at The Lyons Group, Leach, who was Sheryl's father-in-law, agreed to back her with the project with $700,000 of his own money. When Sheryl pitched Barney & The Backyard Gang to her father-in-law Richard, he asked that Kathy help to develop the character and show concept. Parker also had a 2-year-old child named Kaitlin. Both Leach and Parker began testing videos on their children, taking notes of what worked and what didn't work, as well as going to different preschools for research. The duo took inspiration from their own childhood programs like Romper's Room, Captain Kangaroo and The Mickey Mouse Club while also combining aspects of the then current kids' programs like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. įrom their research, around twenty essential concepts were devised, such as using live-action instead of animation so children could better relate, having children as role-models, featuring simple music and having a familiar setting. They also concluded that imagination needed to play a big role, as well as having loving messages. The bear concept was eventually scrapped due to Leach's son having an interest in dinosaurs after visiting a Science Place exhibit.Īfter the initial concept was devised, The Lyons Group hired various local production crew personnel to help further develop the show.
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They even explore a cave where Winnie the Pooh lives. Thanks to Bear's advice earlier of "Stay where you are, hug a tree and blow your whistle," everyone finds Agent Olive and they continue onto more campfire fun. In the mist of things, a storm comes around and Agent Olive gets lost in the woods. Bear takes the gang through different fun experiences from pitching tents to having a snack. After Agent Olive falls asleep, she dreams about a camping trip with Bear and the rest of the Backyard Gang. Howard, Agent Olive wishes that she could go camping someday. After listening to a story about camping read by Mrs.