Barney & Friends First Generation

The First Generation of Barney & Friends ran from April 6, 1992 to May 6, 1997

Background

Production of Season 1 began October of 1991. Sheryl Leach and Kathy Parker, co-creators from the Barney & the Backyard Gang series, teamed up with Co-Producer Dennis DeSazer as executive producers for the first two seasons. Kathy Parker left after the show after Season 2.

Five of the kids from the Barney & the Backyard Gang video series; Luci, Tina, Michael, Derek, and former guest Kathy, return for the first season. Newcomers Shawn, Min, Tosha, Julie, David, Carlos, Juan, Kenneth, and Jason complete the first generation cast.

In early 1994, a lawsuit about "I Love You" caused it to be excluded from Barney Live in New York City, Imagination Island, and the album Barney Favorites Vol. 2. After the lawsuit ended, production of Season 3 began in November, 1994 and the song was added into the special Barney Celebrates Children.

In 1994, Barney and some kid cast members took stage at Radio City Music Hall. The short-lived appearance was a smash hit with sales (all shows sold out within 30 minutes) and the production was met with generally positive reviews. However, not all critics were pleased. Writer Steve Parks, from the New York Newsday, called the performance "A Famliar Sing Along with Barney", and bashed the musical numbers for being uncreative.

Imagination Island aired on NBC on April 24, 1994. It was later released on VHS in October 1994.

Stella the Storyteller and Mr. Boyd will continue on to the Second Generation, as well as the costume and voice actors for the three dinosaurs.

First Generation Cast

Barney (Body: David Joyner / Voice: Bob West)
Baby Bop (Body: Jenny Dempsey/Jeff Ayers, Voice: Julie Johnson)
BJ (Body: Jenny Dempsey/Jeff Brooks, Voice: Patty Wirtz)
Luci (Leah Gloria) (1988-1993, Guest Appearance: 1995)
Min (Pia Manalo) (1992-1996, Guest Appearance: 1999, 2003)
Shawn (John David Bennett) (1992-1996)
Derek (Rickey Carter) (1990-1994, Guest Appearance: 1995, 1997)
Michael (Brian Eppes) (1988-1993, Guest Appearance: 1995, 1999)
Kathy (Lauren King) (1991-1995, Guest Appearance: 1999)
Tina (Jessica Zucha) (1988-1993, Guest Appearance: 1995, 1997)
Tosha (Hope Cervantes) (1992-1997, Guest Appearance: 1999)
Julie (Susannah Wetzel) (1992-1995)
David (Kenny Cooper) (1992-1995)
Jason (Kurt Dykhuizen) (1992, 1995-1996, Guest Appearance: 1993, 1997, 1999)
Carlos (Corey Lopez) (1994-1997)
Juan (Michael Krost) (1995)
Kenneth (Nathan Regan) (1995)
Mr. Boyd (Robert Sweatman) (1995-2004, Guest Appearance: 2008)
Stella The Storyteller (Phyllis Cicero) (1995-2000, Guest Appearance: 2008)

Crew

Executive Producers

Sheryl Stamps Leach (1988-2010)
Kathy O'Rourke Parker (1988-2010)
Deborra Burce Murhpy (1988-2010)
Dennis Deshazer (1988-2010)
Peter Moss (1988-2010)

Supervsing Producers

Jim Rowley (1988-2010)
Jeff Gittle (1988-2010)
Jim Gittle (1988-2010)
Jeff Rowley (1988-2010)
Lesley Taylor (1988-2010)

Senior Producers

Lesley Taylor (1998-2010)
Lesley Bailey (1998-2010)
Greg Taylor (1988-2010)

Producers

Ben Vaughn (1988-2010)
Jim Rowley (1998-2010)
Jeff Gittle (1988-2010)
Linda Houston (1988-2010)
Lesley Taylor (1988-2010)
Lesley Bailey (1988-2010)
Greg Taylor (1988-2010)
Martha Liposcomp (1988-2010)
Martha Datema Lipocomp (1988-2010)
Martha Satema Lipocomb (1988-2010)

Editor

Mckee Smith (1988-2010)

Directors

Jim Rowley (1988-2010)
Bruce Deck (1988-2010)
Steven Feldman (1988-2010)
Pat Smith (1988-2010)
Clark Santee (1988-2010)
Ben Vaughn (1988-2010)
Fred Holmes (1988-2010)
Lesley Bailey (1988-2010)
Gerg Bailey (1988-2010)
Greg Taylor (1988-2010)

Writers

Mark S. Bernthal (1988-2010)
Stephen White (1988-2010)
Mitch Lobrovich (1988-2010)
Mitch Self Lobrvich (1988-2010)
Rebecca Snider (1988-2010)
Rebecca Self Snider (1988-2010)
Peter K. Hirsch (1988-2010)

First Generation Songs