The Barney and the Backyard Gang Barney plush is a toy that was released in 1989. release more Barney merchandise, once Barney & Friends began on PBS. In the early days of the Barney franchise, children would cuddle with Barney video boxes, as it was the closest thing to a plush toy. Parents demanded that, among other things, a doll would be produced, so the kids wouldn't just watch the videos (and stop snuggling up with video cases). Ads began showing up in the videos, promoting the Barney Fan Club and offering dolls to people who signed up. Early Dakin dolls had white strips on the mouth.