Regarding Barney: Adults Just Don't Understand

BEDTIME WITH BARNEY: IMAGINATION ISLAND WMAQ-Channel 5, 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday

Two words for Barney-bashers: Grow up.

"Adults have to understand that we created a show to nurture andfoster the development of pre-schoolers, which is really a very, veryyoung age," says "Barney" producer Dennis DeShazer. "The story ofBarney is watching children watch the show - and I think that's whenyou really get it."

This weekend, adults who just don't get it are invited to seeexactly why so many pre-schoolers adore the tittering, large-bellieddinosaur. The occasion is "Bedtime With Barney: ImaginationIsland," the PBS phenomenon's first prime-time special. The programairs from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday before a three-hour presentation of "TheSound of Music" on WMAQ-Channel 5.

While critics have attacked Barney with a virulence usuallyreserved for politicians and mass murderers, DeShazer says kidsappreciate Barney because he's warm, loving and safe. Also, "theycan understand everything he says and does."

While it would require a Barney-sized imagination to callSunday's special "stooopendous!," it is harmless, age-appropriateentertainment for the littlest viewers. Unlike sexist. And whilethe sets (a tropical island and a pirate ship) are more elaborate andthe production values are higher than in "Barney & Friends," thethemes of imagination, caring and sharing are the same. (Of course,so is the other kiddie favorites, it is neither violent norover-acting.)

DeShazer, who has been with Barney since the beginning, says thespecial begins with a bedtime story to show how reading can spurcreativity.

"TV is a powerful medium that we can use, among many othertools, to inspire kids to use their imaginations," says DeShazer."We have to realize that if we do it right, they carry something awaywith them when they turn the TV off or their parents turn it off."

On the other hand, parents who really want to develop theirchildren's imaginations would probably be better off doing just that- and spending the hour reading books or playing choo-choo with theirkids. After all, watching Barney use his imagination is nosubstitute for using one's own.

Although this is Barney's first foray onto commercialtelevision, it's not his first brush with big business. Negotiationsare under way for a feature film, while the purple dinosaur and hiscreators are already reaping green from a radio show, books,merchandise and best-selling Barney videos.

And they say that nice guys finish last.