Barney & Friends: Celebrating 30 Years! (Johnsonverse)

Barney & Friends: Celebrating 30 Years! is a 2018 American primetime television special produced in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Barney & Friends franchise. Hosted by Phylicia Rashad, it follows Barney's friends' plan to give him a big surprise, with cameos from several guest stars and people who appeared on Barney over the years. Bob West (the original voice of Barney) returns to the character for the first time since 2005, with David Joyner (Barney's suit actor from 1991 to 2001) also returning to the role.
The special premiered on WBC and Sprout on August 13, 2018, thirty years to the day when the first Barney and the Backyard Gang video was released. It garnered high ratings and critical acclaim. 
== Plot ==
The special begins with a woman running on a rainy street holding a large box, with her face not shown; she eventually stops at the school. Taking off her jacket, the woman reveals herself to be Phylicia Rashad, who tells the audience that today is a special day for Barney, and that she's got the first gift on a list. The kids walk to her, excited for Barney's birthday. As Phylicia and the kids walk away to get the next gift, the camera pans to a TV showing the beginnings of the original Barney openings, before segueing into a montage of clips spanning between 1988 and 2018.
Meanwhile, Barney, BJ, Baby Bop, and Riff are in New York City, exploring the various landmarks. In a gift shop, Barney buys some souvenirs for the kids, as well as the other dinos, including a t-shirt, stuffed doll, and coffee mug. BJ suggests going to the Empire State Building, while Baby Bop suggests going to the Statue of Liberty. Barney sees a taxi and, with the other dinos, whistles at it.
== Cast ==
=== Voices ===
* Bob West as Barney
* Patty Wirtz as BJ
* Julie Johnson as Baby Bop
* Michaela Dietz as Riff
=== Live actors ===
* Phylicia Rashad as herself
* David Joyner as Barney's suit actor
* Jeff Brooks as BJ's suit actor
* Jeff Ayers as Baby Bop's suit actor
* Jered Harris as Riff's suit actor
* Sandy Duncan as Michael and Amy's mother
* David Voss as The Winkster
* Barry Pearl as Professor Tinkerputt
* Robert Sweatmon as Mr. Boyd
* Dell Johnson as Mr. Copeland
* Steve Jones as Mr. Brantley
*Dean Wendt as Mr. Calloway
* Gene Raye Price as Miss Kepler
* Phyllis Cicero as Stella
*Bob Reed as Michael and Amy's father
* Rickey Carter as Derek
* Brian Eppes as Michael
* Leah Montes as Luci
* Jessica Zucha as Tina
* Lauren King as Kathy
* Alexander Jihn as Adam (Backyard Gang)
* Pia Manalo Hamilton as Min
* John David Bennett II as Shawn
* Hope Cervantes as Tosha
* Marisa Kuers as Hannah
*Demi Lovato as Angela
*Selena Gomez as Gianna
*Jackson Pace as Adam
*Kyla Pratt as Marcella
* Stephen White as Bus Driver
* Carey Stinson as Adult Party Guest #1
* Lauren Mayeux as Adult Party Guest #2
* Kyle Nelson as Adult Party Guest #3
* Sheryl Leach as Adult Party Guest #4
* Mark S. Bernthal as Adult Party Guest #5
=== Puppetry ===
* R. Bruce Elliott as Miss Etta Kette 
* Todd Duffey as Scooter McNutty
* Earl Fisher as Booker T. Bookworm
* Kate Bristol as Haven Hufflepup
* Duncan Brannan as Cowan Overmoon
== Production ==
=== Filming ===
Filming for the special took place from September 10 to October 1, 2017.
== Release ==
== Reception ==
== Home video and streaming ==
Category:Johnsonverse