‘Barney’ dinosaur gets new look
I love you, you love me? Barney, the purple dinosaur, is getting a new look. Mattel announced that it will relaunch “Barney” globally in 2024 with revitalized TV, film and YouTube content, plus kids’ products like toys, books, clothing and more. There will also be apparel and accessories for adult fans “featuring classic Barney,” but the reboot will feature an animated version of the character that debuted on PBS as the star of “Barney & Friends,” along with Baby Bop, BJ and Riff. The show ended in 2010. Some fans criticized the reimagined Barney on social media, but Mattel insisted that it will “tap into the nostalgia of the generations who grew up with Barney, now parents themselves, and introduce the iconic purple dinosaur to a new generation of kids and families around the world across content, products, and experiences.”
Mattel will relaunch the Barney franchise in 2024 with TV, film and YouTube content as well as toys, books and clothing. (Photo of the updated Barney courtesy of Mattel)
‘NYPD Blue’ child star dies at 27
Former child star Austin Majors is dead at 27. TMZ reports the “NYPD Blue” actor died Saturday while staying at a homeless housing facility in Los Angeles; a source said he may have ingested a fatal amount of fentanyl and no foul play is suspected. Majors “was a loving, artistic, brilliant, and kind human being,” his family said in a statement. “Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career... he was the kind of son, brother, grandson, and nephew that made us proud and we will miss him deeply forever.” Majors is best known for playing Theo Sipowicz, the son of Dennis Franz’s character Detective Andy Sipowicz, on “NYPD Blue” for seven seasons. Majors’ credits also included “Treasure Planet,” “An Accidental Christmas” and “According to Jim.”
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