From gun fights to death threats – chilling new documentary explores the dark side of Barney The Dinosaur: ‘They were going to kill me’-Adam Miller-Entertainment – Metro

Barney loved us, but not everyone loved him back (Picture: Getty Images)

Thought Barney the dinosaur brought nothing but endless joy to the children of the world? Think again.

A new documentary exploring the dark side of Barney is incoming with the trailer teasing death, shoot outs and conspiracy theories as the dino’s message of acceptance sparked huge backlash.

The trailer alone features some eye-opening moments, coming from the account of people who worked on the kid’s show including the man behind the voice of Barney, David Joyner who tells the camera: ‘They were going to find me and they were going to kill me.’

Another moment shows someone else saying: ‘I don’t think you could ever go and think someone would go and shoot someone.’

‘I Love You, You Hate Me unpacks how a children’s character who stood for inclusion, understanding and kindness birthed a movement of anger and criticism that threatened the show, its creators, and their futures,’ executive producer Joel Chiodi, head of documentaries and SVP of strategic development at Scout Productions, said in a statement.

‘As it spotlights the beginnings of modern-day hate culture, this documentary traces the creation of the character and how it took a toll on the people closest to it, examining the surprising and lingering impact the Big Purple Dinosaur left on American society.’

(Credits: Adam Miller)

Reformed ‘Barney hater’ Tommy Avallone directed the doc.

‘Barney came out on television when I was just 10 years old, and I admittedly didn’t understand him,’ explained Avallone.

‘As a teenager, for one of my birthdays, I asked my aunt to make me a Barney costume, so my friends and I could beat him up on camera.

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‘Several years later, creating this docuseries, it feels good to be on the other side and no longer a Barney hater.

‘Now having children of my own, I understand all the love that went into making the purple dinosaur.’

Barney & Friends on PBS in 1992 and ended in 2010.

I Love You, You Hate Me is set to premiere on October 12 on Peacock. A UK release date has not been revealed yet.

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