You know, its comforting to know that at least fighters in the fictional Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter games never got into the performance enhancing drugs for their insanely ripped muscles and strength, unlike many real life professional athletes.
As for Barney and Friends, I have to admit that I never liked the series. It seemed to sugar coat everything to excess and was really lacking in dealing with anything that wasn't upbeat and perky.
But looking back, Barney was actually a really good show. It showed real life human beings interacting with each other on different levels, doing different activities, and everyone getting along together. There was structure and language and action. Sure it might have missed dealing with people that really don't get along, but I'd say what Barney and Friends demonstrated was much better than the post-apocalyptic mutant future that was seen in Teletubbies. Iggle Piggle, from what I've seen, isn't much better.
And Barney's infinitely better than the creepy dancing giant koosh balls giving partial birth to baby heads that cry like they are searching to harvest lost souls that is called Boobahs.
But I still say Sesame Street is a way better show. Or at least the Sesame Street that I remember.
edit:
Behold, evils too horrible to witness without being scarred for life.
And here's a doll in action. The "Beebah" noise in real life has more reverb to it and sounds much more distant, sort of like a small child slowly calling someone's name down a long hallway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SXzWIQ2VEE
I've seen part of one show of these things. The only additional thing they do in the show is aerobic exercise at fast-zombie speeds, interspersed with jarring stops that have them stare directly at the camera and cry out.
Honestly, if I had a child and someone bought one of these for that child, they'd never see it. I'd bring it out back and do whatever I could to kill it with fire. And then mix the ashes with concrete.
