Barney and the Backyard Gang is a direct-to-video series produced by The Lyons Group and was produced from October 13, 1988 to October 20, 1991. This series launched the stardom of the PBS television show Barney & Friends. Music for the Barney and the Backyard Gang videos was created by Stephen Bates Baltes and Phillip Parker. The series was a regional success, but only a moderate success throughout the rest of the country. Then one day, in 1991, Larry Rifkin, then head of Connecticut Public Television, rented a Barney video for his daughter Leora. He liked the concept and talked to Leach about possibly putting Barney on television through the Public Broadcasting Service. Rock with Barney was the last video in the series before the television show debuted. Also, only four of the kids from the videos (Michael, Luci, Tina and Derek) were carried over to the television show.
The Backyard Show
Aug 29, 1988
Amy and Michael want to surprise their dad for his birthday. With the Backyard Gang in doubt, there's no way the show can be produced quickly (or, so they think). Fortunately, Barney the Dinosaur comes to life, and encourages the kids to use their imaginations to help make the show a reality. Along the way, they sing songs and recite rhymes that are later sung in the birthday show. The show ends up to be a success with Dad doing the "Hokey Pokey".
Three Wishes
Dec 10, 1988
On a boring Saturday afternoon, Barney and the Backyard Gang jump into Tina’s coloring book to grant three wishes for everywhere they want to go in their imagination.
A Day at the Beach
Feb 1, 1989
On a hot summer day, the Backyard Gang is so excited to go to the beach tomorrow, but they could not go there because their dad has to go to work. Disappointed, no one knows what to do until Barney comes to life. By using their imaginations, Barney transports the kids to the beach in a flying swimming pool where they build sandcastles, collect seashells, eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a picnic lunch, explore an old pirate ship, go under the sea and meet Barney’s friend, Molly the Mermaid.
Waiting for Santa
May 11, 1990
It's Christmas Eve and Santa's given Barney and his friends a special job -- to take Derek (the new boy in their neighborhood) to the North Pole to see if Santa knows his address. After arriving in Barney's special sleigh, the kids frolic on the ice, pretend to be elves in Santa's workshop and learn from Mrs. Claus that "doing things for others is what Christmas is all about."
Barney's Campfire Sing-Along
Jun 8, 1990
Barney the dinosaur introduces the Backyard Gang to the fun of camping out. The children meet all sorts of woodland creatures, study the stars, learn valuable forest safety lessons, and best of all, discover the delights of their imagination.
Barney Goes to School
Aug 15, 1990
Join Barney as he enjoys a typical day at school with the Backyard Gang. And joining them in finger-painting, pretend, and learning such center activities as ABC's and 123's (not to mention scampering after a mischievous hamster named "Zippity"), he discovers why the kids love going to school each weekday - learning is so much fun!
Barney In Concert
Jul 29, 1991
Barney and the Backyard Gang hold a live musical extravaganza at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, Texas. Barney's concert features traditional songs and fun new musical arrangements that encourage interaction and audience participation. Barney introduces his new friend, Baby Bop, a forever 2 year old.
Rock with Barney
Aug 1, 1991
Barney joins the Backyard Gang on a fun filed adventure in a movie studio, Through a protect-our-earth theme, Rock with Barney encourages children to sing and play along in a musical fantasy. Barney's video features live action, an assortment of 15 traditional, favorite songs, and delightful new arrangements.
