Word: barneys
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...policy that allows college students who have been convicted of violent crimes to reapply for federal aid but not those convicted on drug violations. An amendment to this policy that would allow convicted drug offenders to reapply is currently under consideration in the House of Representatives, sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank ’61-’62 (D-Mass...
What do you get when you cross a rainbow-clad clown, midgets, a Barney-like purple rhinoceros, murder and plenty of mayhem? The result is Death to Smoochy, a pitch-black comedy directed by Danny DeVito (The War of the Roses, Matilda). This caricature juxtaposes its yang—children’s television, complete with its Barneys and Teletubbies—with its evil counterpart yin—the industry’s dark underside, with its deception, fraud and, yes, homicide...
...despite its dark nature, Smochy’s sideplots lack originality. There have been corrupt children’s television hosts in the past; just look at Krusty the Clown on “The Simpsons.” Jokes about killing Barney and other stuffed characters have existed for years. Furthermore, the love/hate relationship between Mopes and Wells certainly has its precedents, reaching as far back as Shakespeare’s Benedick and Beatrice. Jokes about the Irish, mentally ill and phallic symbols all are not particularly new or groundbreaking either...
...originality, however, but in its execution. In fact, the movie’s self-awareness, especially in its capacity to shock the audience, is its forte. It knows that children’s television characters have been lampooned before. A reflection of the voluminous number of anti-Barney web pages, the film’s website, www.smoochymustdie.com, offers 100 ways to kill Smoochy as well as interactive games where the purple rhinoceros is shot gunned, run-over and beaten to death. DeVito utilizes the incredible talent of the cast, however, to make the kiddy TV satire delve into new depths...
Plus, for those of you who harbor a secret, pent-up, homicidal hatred of Barney and his ilk, this movie will offer a safer if just as twisted alternative...