This raw interview footage, shot by Dallas-based director Jim Ruddy, features an interview with Henry Scott, the president of the children’s section of the department store, JC Penney, who expresses his exuberance over “Barney and Friends,” a children’s television program shot in Dallas, and the sales it will bring in for Christmas 1992. Scott expresses his surprise and support of the “Barney Mania,” stating that in the 35 years he has spent in retail, he has “never seen a phenomenon like Barney.”
The popular television program, Barney and Friends, aired from April 1992 until November 2010. It was created by Sheryl Leach, a Dallas mom who wanted to create a toddler friendly television show for her own children. The show, shot in Dallas, was based around Barney, a giant yet non-threatening Tyrannosaurus Rex, brought to life by a child’s imagination. Barney has human children friends as well as other dinosaur friends such as Baby-Bop, a triceratops; B.J., a Protoceratops; and Riff, a Hadrosaur. The show featured notable singing and dancing and always concluded with a rendition of the song “I Love You,” set to the theme of “This Old Man.” Popular actress Selena Gomez had her acting debut on Barney and Friends playing Gianna for two seasons.