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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Non-religious, typical Barney show, December 2, 2002
As usual, the show opens inside of Barney's Playhouse. There are four children: one African-American, one Asian and two Caucasian. There are two boys and two girls.This show starts with Barney discussing the holidays and they show and sing about each of three tables: one with the nativity scene for Christmas, one for Hanukkah, and one for Kwanzaa. This is where all references to the religious aspect of the holidays and Christmas end. Then Barney sings a generic song "I love the holidays". A girl enters and announces it is snowing and they all go outside to play, they sing songs about winter and snow, and build a snowman. The girl invites everyone to help decorate a big Christmas tree in a public park that her great-great grandfather planted many years ago. They are off to help out and sing "O Christmas Tree". Soon they realize the star for the top of the tree is missing. Grandma sends Barney and the children back to her house to look for it in the attic. Once in the attic, Grandfather gives them free reign to search for the missing star. They sing songs and talk about what they find and sing non-religious Christmas songs. Classic toys such as Raggedy Ann, drummer boys (soldiers), and teddy bears are found with glee. Barney finds a copy of a picture book version of "The Night Before Christmas" and reads it aloud while images of Santa on his sleigh are shown. Santa comes down the chimney and eats cookies that have been left for him while two children watch. BJ and Baby Bop appear out of nowhere and eventually they find the star. They take it to the park, sing a new song about the star to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and Barney helps put the star on top of the tree since none of the adults can reach it, even with a ladder. (Typical of Barney shows, Barney is more of an authority figure and more capable than the human adults, and "saves the day".) Overall this show is very much centered on presents and decorations such as the Christmas tree. One scene asks what is best about the holidays and the boy says "wrapping presents, giving presents and opening presents". Christians may not like that the central focus of this Christmas show is not religious despite the title containing the word "Christmas". Overall this is typical Barney fare: inclusion of many ethnicities, trying to be fair by showing multiple celebrations of various peoples, and making the main focus something that is not secular. The songs are new and old classics. It is very much like the TV shows in content and quality. If your child loves the Barney TV shows then s/he will love this show. As for how much the adult finds this entertaining, it would be equal to how much the adult likes the television show. The best part of this show is that it is the typical innocence, song and dance we expect from the Barney programs, which I feel makes it a good choice for young children, or at least better than most programming that is out there for children! It is what it is: a Barney show!!
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