You Want A Hit Character on A TV Show?...Just Name Him "Barney!" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-30-2011, 12:35 AM

Have you noticed how Barney keeps showing up as the name of some of the most well-known TV characters of all time?

Going all the way back to 1960, you had Barney Rubble and Barney Fife whom, I'm sure, Fred Flintstone and Andy Griffith would consider two of the best sidekicks ever.

Emmy voters apparently agreed in 1961, as “The Flintstones” was nominated for outstanding program achievement in the field of humor, and Don Knotts received the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. He went on to win the award four more times.

The late '70s brought us Hal Linden starring in the Emmy-, Peabody- and Golden Globe-winning comedy “Barney Miller,” the leading cop show of that era. It was lauded for its realistic portrayal of precinct life in the big city (as opposed to Mayberry).

The name took on a whole new meaning in 1992 with the premiere of “Barney & Friends” on PBS. A huge purple dinosaur is definitely an acquired taste — which I never managed to acquire. Luckily, neither did my kids.

If I found one of those annoying, stuffed, talking things in my house, I think there would have been an unfortunate accident involving a garbage disposal. (“Don't worry, honey, that stain is just grape juice.”) Or maybe I would have just dipped that obnoxious furry thing in gravy and left it in the dog's dish.

The name's most popular character currently on TV is that conniving little weasel Barney Stinson on the long-running CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.”

Had my daughter ever brought him home from a date, we might have had another totally unintentional mishap involving his leg, some more leftover gravy and a protective father's best friend, the family dog.

Bottom line: Rubble, Fife and Miller, good; purple felt and men with no morals, not so much.

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pb...9534/-1/LIVING

catlover79 · 09-30-2011, 12:45 AM

Cute article - thanks for posting.

Brian Damage · 09-30-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Cute article - thanks for posting.

You're Welcome!

09-30-2011, 12:35 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	You Want A Hit Character on A TV Show?...Just Name Him "Barney!" Have you noticed how Barney keeps showing up as the name of some of the most well-known TV characters of all time? Going all the way back to 1960, you had Barney Rubble and Barney Fife whom, I'm sure, Fred Flintstone and Andy Griffith would consider two of the best sidekicks ever. Emmy voters apparently agreed in 1961, as “The Flintstones” was nominated for outstanding program achievement in the field of humor, and Don Knotts received the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. He went on to win the award four more times. The late '70s brought us Hal Linden starring in the Emmy-, Peabody- and Golden Globe-winning comedy “Barney Miller,” the leading cop show of that era. It was lauded for its realistic portrayal of precinct life in the big city (as opposed to Mayberry). The name took on a whole new meaning in 1992 with the premiere of “Barney & Friends” on PBS. A huge purple dinosaur is definitely an acquired taste — which I never managed to acquire. Luckily, neither did my kids. If I found one of those annoying, stuffed, talking things in my house, I think there would have been an unfortunate accident involving a garbage disposal. (“Don't worry, honey, that stain is just grape juice.”) Or maybe I would have just dipped that obnoxious furry thing in gravy and left it in the dog's dish. The name's most popular character currently on TV is that conniving little weasel Barney Stinson on the long-running CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother.” Had my daughter ever brought him home from a date, we might have had another totally unintentional mishap involving his leg, some more leftover gravy and a protective father's best friend, the family dog. Bottom line: Rubble, Fife and Miller, good; purple felt and men with no morals, not so much. http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pb...9534/-1/LIVING
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09-30-2011, 12:45 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Cute article - thanks for posting.
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