What I admired the most about Micheal was him being super nice and helpful towards the younger kids on Barney. Like he looked out for them like an older brother figure, similar to what Luci did in season 1.
Oh my goodness! This is so wonderful seeing Brian Eppes aka Michael. I loved Barney and the backyard gang! I'm 33 now and I still love it it's my childhood!
I didn’t really have a crush on him. But I admired him acting like an older brother figure to the younger kids and looking out for them the way Luci did in season 1.
Wow it's so amazing to hear Brian speak, I haven't seen him in many years. I share in his sentiment, memories and fun times. I thought it was neat to hear how Penny was helping us with our Texas accents, my word was "get". Not many people share the same memories as the original cast. Best interview yet.
Jessica Zucha Tina is that you if it is you are one of my other favorite Barney characters from Barney and the backyard gang and Barney and friends I also have a question do you still have a original Barney and the backyard gang doll
I always thought you stole the show in the original three videos as a kid lol. I'm a late 90's baby and i think i watched the backyard gang videos more than i did the tv show. I could be wrong going by memory lol. But i just wanna say, i know you were just one role out of many involved including cast and crew, but thank you and everyone who made it all possible for putting smiles on my face and giving me and many others a fun and happy childhood. Backyard gang for life.💜
I'm so glad y'all got Brian Eppes, aka Michael on your show. Speaking of Michael, hopefully next time y'all can get Becky Swonke, who played Michael's sister Amy.
I’d want to hear from Becky (Amy) just to hear her talk more into detail about her illness that caused her to leave Barney just when season 1 was about to be filmed. I hear she had a brain tumor and recovered (thankfully).
I would like to hear from Alexander Jhin who portrays Adam about feeling sick and having to miss the filming of Barney's Campfire Sing Along, and even explain about how thankful he was for Jeffrey Lowe to fill in for him in that video.
@NewAwakeningShifts So did Luci and I think Adam. All 3 of them were the oldest Barney kids in its history. Jason too, but he’s easily forgettable since he was just in the 3 pilot episodes then Disappeared.
Honestly, Brian “Michael” Eppes was my first crush😱😍. I adored him!!! And when I watched this podcast, my main thought was that he is still handsome (although he is 40)😍😍😍😍
Michael was my first love. I knew he was an actor playing a kid on the show, but I don't think I've ever gotten over the fact that Michael's not actually his real name 😂
What I loved was that Micheal, being one of the oldest kids next to Lucy in the Barney and Friends series, was so nice and helpful towards the younger kids. Almost like an older brother figure. Especially in season 2 when he was like 13, and just like Lucy, moved into middle school.
Brian Eppes was on as Michael since the very beginning of the Backyard Gang in the very first video The Backyard Show in 1988. He was in all 8 videos of the Backyard Gang from 1988-1991 and then Seasons 1 and 2 of Barney & Friends from 1992-1993 on PBS. His last episode was on Having Tens Of Fun. And then he appear in the 10th Anniversary video Sing And Dance With Barney at the treehouse in 1999 which was his final appearance in the show.
He was my first crush 🥰. I wanted to be Kathy because she always danced with him. I imagined ice skating together, dancing, playing board games and lots of hugs. I can play his song, "Waiting for Santa" on my viola and the organ I inherited from my grandmother. I still know the lyrics and sing it to myself the night before Christmas. I typically watch it as I'm wrapping gifts.
Michael, I Loved Him!!!! Always thought he was so smart and like a big brother to all the other kids. I bet he is just stellar as both a husband and father now. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Brian turned out well, I'm happy for him! I grew up with the Lyrick era of Barney and onwards, but when I went back and watched the earlier years with 'Barney and the Backyard Gang' and seasons 1 - 3 of 'Barney & Friends,' Michael was one of my favorites because there was something special about him and he was very likable. Now I know that "Michael" is just as nice off screen as he is on screen!
i work at a daycare with 1 1/2 and two year olds mostly. They love to sway back and forth and dance to the Barney CD. It is the sweetest and cutest thing ever. Michael was one of my favorite characters. I am going to confess, i did have a crush on him.
Wow. Good to see Michael now. One of my favorite characters on the show growing up. Now I hope y'all can get Luci now as well. That would be amazing to hear her stories.
It was so great to hear about Brian’s experience on Barney and Friends! Especially since he was one of the original kids from the beginning that I watched as a youngster! I love hearing these stories about what working on Barney was really like! Watching this podcast has made me appreciate the show even more as I enter adulthood! I’d love to show Barney to my future kids someday! I hope you guys keep going with this, especially for the old and new fans alike!
Loving this podcast, been a massive fan of barney since I was a baby. 28 years later and it still never gets old. Grew up watching Michael, greatest podcast. Big love from South Africa!!!
This was an absolutely amazing podcast! I always loved the character of Michael from the moment I saw Barney's Backyard Show and to now see how far he has come with his career, his wife and his wonderful children. It made me feel amazing because growing up with the character of Michael was a wonderful experience and he was always one of my favorites. In a way as a child, all the kids felt like they were your friends because we all had one thing in common, our love for Barney. So in a way, seeing and hearing from Brian today was like reuniting with an old friend from childhood. Definitely bring back more of the kids because they have all been wonderful!
I miss Barney and Friends! We use to escape reality with Barney. So much fun and so many different adventures and the songs were classics. I’m 36 and I probably still remember all the lyrics and music.
I Love How No Matter How Successful Brian Is Now, He Never Forgets Barney & His Friends & The People Who Helped Him Along The Way. He’s Man Enough To OWN He Was Apart Of Barney!
Brian is the perfect example of a former child star who was raised by good parents who cared about his well-being while still giving him a safe opportunity to allow him to experience acting…. which he liked. No drugs, alcohol abuse, trouble with the law, parents taking advantage of his money.
If you can bring Jessica Zucha (Tina), Leah Gloria (Luci), Alexander Jhin (Adam) and Becky Swonke (Michael’s sister Amy) would love to see the original backyard gang
I really thought it was cool to see Amy do a backflip in "The Backyard Show" or Luci playing her guitar or Min dancing on the show or videos. I didn't know that they did it in real life, I'd wish Becky Swonke had been on the TV show, just to see her do a backflip while Luci was singing and playing that would have been cool.
Has anyone watching barney as a kid dreamed of being on the set singing and dancing with barney? And the picture of michael and barney at the end of michaels run of the show says alot.
I saw this interview a few months back let's just say having to stay inside makes people get bored and look up random things. He was my favorite character on the show growing up and now he's turned into a grown very handsome man. He seems really down-to-earth and just a very nice. Definitely a nice look back on late 80s 1990s nostalgia.
You need get Becky Swonke Smith (Amy), Leah Montes (Luci), Jessica Zucha (Tina), Alexander Jhin (Adam), Lauren King (Kathy), John David Bennett II (Shawn), Hope Cervantes (Tosha), and Susannah Wetzel Williams (Julie) on this podcast! It’s great to see a grown up Brian Eppes (Michael) onto this show!
As a 21 year old i grew up loving barney when ever a episode was on my mom would record it on a video tape so we had a whole box of episodes of barney and then i come across this podcast today the childhood me is screaming
Thank you Nancy, Carrey and Brian please bring all the other kids from the backyard gang and even ones from the show cause honestly this means so much to me from a little girl to now so maybe yes I got rid of all my Barney things. But still I want to know more about everything. In the Barney world.
His parents still allowed him to have a normal childhood/youth after Barney ended. They didn’t pressure him to continue acting just to make money off him.
I know this Podcast was done last year in August, but I'm 48, and I have watched Barney since the day he came out. And I still love the show. The signature song I love, is Barney's I Love You Song, I even used to sing it to my little dog, Bambie, :).
Great episode loved listening to the podcast watching Barney & The Backyard Gang, Barney & Friends and Michael was one of my favorite character growing up .
So Awesome To See Brian Eppes Again Really Awesome and Great to see "Barney Lives With Michael and With Amy Then You'll Soon See Really Wonderful To See Mr Eppes On Purple Pod Cast
Loved seeing "Michael" on this podcast!!!! My heart was beating I was over joyed!!!! Who's coming next week??? Possibly Erica Rhodes who played Kim or I'm hoping Lucien Douglas who played Chip? Please continue with this wonderful podcast!!!!
Erica goes by the name Danielle Vega she’s on instagram and became a mom last year. Lauren King who played Kathy is on Facebook her mom died early this year
When i was three years old. I had a Barney birthday celebration. But im still a huge Barney fans. But im an adult now. But i still do have an enormous crush on Brian. He and brian came to play with me and the kids in my playschool.
I remember meeting Barney at a party once when I was around 4, sometime around '96 I think. One of the kids at the party ran away crying because he was scared of Barney and I remember pulling his tail because I was so fascinated by it😂
I think the hallmark of the greatness of Barney and Friends is that the actors may have had some trials and tribulations, but all of them grew up to be awesome people.
I did as well. I was just a toddler in 1992 when season 1 aired. I didn’t watch it much anymore after season 3. By season 4, it was a whole new generation of kids.
I was one of Barney's biggest fans and I've turned my 2 year old daughter into one too. I still have several Barney items from when I was very little, including a talking Barney doll, Baby Bop plush, Barney shoes, original Barney cassette with the best songs from the show, and figurines all of which I've given to my daughter (to borrow, lol they will always be mine) I'm about to be 28 and I still think this is the best show for kids. I've gotten sick of watching the newer seasons on Amazon, so I've had to go to TH-cam to get the good episodes. The kids from the first couple seasons of Barney and Friends will always be the best - they seemed so genuinely into what they were doing and you can tell they had a lot of fun! I threw a Barney birthday party for my daughter last week (I too, had a Barney 2nd birthday party) and I had to get everything online. It's hard to find Barney stuff... especially without dumbass Riff!
You should get fans of Barney to be on the show. I volunteer as tribute! To talk about what it meant to them, how it felt growing up with Barney. Setting your Barney plush doll on the step and waiting for him to come alive.
MORE INTERVIEWS WITH THE KIDS PLEASE!! already done (purple tales and/or purple roads) Hannah (marisa kuers) Derek (rickey carter) Min (pia hamilton) Michael (brian eppes) Kim (erica rhodes/danielle vega) Julie (susannah wetzel) Emily (hannah owens) still to come (hopefully) Luci (leah gloria) Tina (jessica zucha) Shawn (john david bennett 2) Carlos (corey lopez) Jason (kurt dykhuizen) Kathy (lauren king) Tosha (hope cerventes) Robert (angel velasco) Chip (lucien douglas) Danny (jeffrey hood) Kristen (sara hickman) Stephen (chase gallatin) Ashley (maurie chandler) Keesha (mera baker) Jeff (austin ball) Curtis (monte black) season 1-6 i would appreciate it and please no pairings like tina & luci or ashley and alissa... none of that all individual interviews please and thank you for those who wants to know why single interview and no doubles is because if they interview them all one at a time, you will hear more stories and longer answers to every questions. but if they have more than one guest in the same interviews, the stories will have to be cut short and their won't be as many questions because you have two or more people answering. so that's why i think for double interviews like tina and luci, ashley and alyssa.... would be best after everyone had a single interview
I have been waiting for this episode he brought the plush from Barney goes to school And that is also the Barney in the backyard gang fan club doll they sold two different dolls the one that you see in Barney goes to school and then the second one is the one they used and rock with Barney I am a huge Barney fan and getting to see my favorite character on purple tales podcast brings a lot of joy to my heart it is really good to see you Michael
That night light Brian mentioned I have one still in the packaging. I’m almost 29 years old and still love Barney. I want an autograph picture of Brian as long as he writes Hook ‘Em Horns on it lol
I remember watching barney, the first season and the first kid that i noticed and caught my attention was Michael. That boy had something that make want to watch barney besides being cute and later being my first crush at 7 years old. And indeed i was curious to know what he has become as a grown up.
He was 8 when he did the first three videos (The Backyard Show, Three Wishes, and A Day at the Beach), 10 when he did Waiting for Santa, Campfire Sing Along and Barney Goes to School, 11 when he did Barney in Concert and Rock with Barney, 12 when he did Season 1 of Barney and Friends and Barney's Magical Musical Adventure, 13 when he did Season 2 of Barney and Friends, and 19 when he did Sing and Dance With Barney
Wow. The Michael himself. He's all grown up now like the rest of us! This is really special. Every guest on this podcast is special, eveyone in his or her own way, but Michael's special because...He was the first! When I was little, because of the "Barney lives with Michael" verse in the Backyard Gang theme, I always associated Michael with Barney the way you associate Christopher Robin with Winnie the Pooh. He and his sister were Barney's first friends who shared him with the rest of the gang and then passed Barney down to the coming generations, well, to us at home. Even as a kid watching the show it felt like Barney was the coolest toy ever, that happened to belong to Michael and Amy, and they shared him with us and let us play with him even after they graduated and left him behind at the school.
I didn't know that Brian Eppes played Michael on that show until years later. I thought that the kids on the show were playing themselves until I got older.
What fascinates me, is Tina, one of my favorite female kids on the show has the same first name as me. My real name is Jessica just like her actress, Jessica Zucha.
Barney in concert was what I loved! And waiting for Santa and the camping one and the knight in the castle one where they sang a song like "castle so high, up in the sky"
The Barney family is big and full of love, so definitely come on the podcast. I grew up more with the TV show but even now as an adult I love watching the Backyard Gang videos. Which video was your favorite to film Becky?
Michael you were so cute in the song I can laugh then when I saw John David Bennett who played Shawn sing that song in the episode called at home with animals I thought you would have been so proud of him doing a great job on the song that made you famous
It’s amazing that they finally got Brian to speak on the show about his experiences on the Barney tapes through the first 2 seasons of the TV Adaptation of Barney. And I think…. That he would’ve made a great young actor as a teen and adult if he stayed in the industry but Unfortunately, he decided to go back home and live a normal life for awhile Until…. he became a Lawyer which I heard is what he’s currently doing nowadays. And that’s a cool role for him to get some people out of Criminal charges which to me is kinda dramatic in a way. But seeing how he’s matured himself over the past 2 decades, he reached puberty the moment he turned 30! I wish he would return to acting for now in Movies like high profile live action stuff. But It doesn’t seem like that’s ever gonna happen anytime soon. But Atleast his past Career was my Childhood Barney series.
If only he knew the kind of hatred his show got in the elementary school playground. Telling another kid that they watched Barney was considered the worst insult.
Isaiah Wasabi That would get a lot of views. ClevverNews, that TH-cam channel that reports on celebrity news, they would definitely see cover that, if Selena and Demi guest appear on this podcast.
Here is a fun fact that i never knew when i heard of a day at the beach that video was the very first barney video that has ever been recorded because most of the backyard gang meet barney for the very first time but the backyard show was the very first video that has ever been released
Brian Eppes (Michael) Leah Montes (Luci) and Jessica Zucha (Tina) all have their own kids now, I think if they brought the show back on they should cast their kids and for one episode have the original kids come back (Michael, Luci, and Tina) and their kids discover that they were one of barneys original friends. show flashback clips and see if they can do what they did. One change I would make is lose the clubhouse setting and bring back the school setting.
I admire the fact that Micheal was so nice and helpful to the younger kids. Like acting like an older brother figure towards them the same way Lucy did in season 1.
I love this podcast!! But we now need to get Leah Gloria and Jessica Zucha on there now. Then we have to get Becky who played Amy on the show!! Incidentally, I really loved that Brian remembers a lot of what happened on Barney and Friends and his time with Barney and how he got his kids into it!
TyrekeCorrea Sheryl Leach NEVER attacked or had anything negative to say about any of the shows including Sesame Street. I would like to see some form of proof of her criticizing Sesame Street for being “too complicated” 😒
I think 13 to 14 was the maximum age before the kids were retired from the show, some of the first and second generation kids, were quite long lived, ie Min,Chip,Keesha, Kim and Kristen for example did episodes right into their early teenage years. Young Talent Time here in Australia had a strict policy of retiring cast members as soon as they hit 13 or 14.
That makes perfect sense. Luci’s actress was around 13 during season 1, then left the show afterwards. (Although she made one appearance in season 2). I think they kept Luci on season 1 to portray a big sister figure and role model the younger kids could look up to. Technically yes! She was Tina’s big sister. But Luci acted like a “ Big sister” to all the kids since she was the oldest.
I get where Brain’s parents were coming from in the sense of honoring and sticking to a commitment. And my 5-year-old self was glad to see him in this episode. However, I disagree with forcing your sick kid to “power through” at work and potentially worsening his condition AND exposing others to getting sick. He should’ve been at home resting and taking care of his health. Especially pneumonia, which can be serious if not taken seriously.
He should've talked about appearing in some of the episodes of Gerbert as well. So, he could've explained about Andy Holmes working with some of the cast members he worked with during the filming of the season three episodes of Gerbert, and then he could've explained about his favorite parts of the episodes he appeared in, and even explained about his special role from the episode of Gerbert; "A Lesson Long Overdue" too, portraying Bradley Smith who shows Gerbert his baseball collection. In some other episodes, he played Ricky in the episodes; "Being Franklin", "Pranksters", "Medicine Isn't Candy", and "Bubble Trouble."
No drugs, no alcohol abuse, no child star curse, no toxic parents grooming him up to make money off him. - Just a young boy getting some acting experience while still being allowed to enjoy his childhood and parents keeping him grounded and personal life private.
“My name is Michael and we’re so glad you’re here, it makes me feel like smiling from ear to ear”
**cowbell solo**
“Hi I’m Lucy and we’re gonna have some fun bc barney is a friend to everyone “
😂😂😂 when I little I danced to that whole concert
1991 1
@@larellfennell2602 what's that from?
Brian Eppes as Michael doing the "I'm a little robot" song and dance and being in the cardboard 🤖 was iconic in my childhood 🥰
What I admired the most about Micheal was him being super nice and helpful towards the younger kids on Barney. Like he looked out for them like an older brother figure, similar to what Luci did in season 1.
@@amylee8969he sure did
Oh my goodness! This is so wonderful seeing Brian Eppes aka Michael. I loved Barney and the backyard gang! I'm 33 now and I still love it it's my childhood!
same!
Same here since childhood 😊
Aw my first crush. Great to see him here and to hear these great stories from him
Chantal Paquette Me too. 🙈
Chantal Paquette same! I used to call him ‘cutie pie Michael’
I still, to this day, at 26, have a baby blanket named Michael. Granted, this is Michael the third. But still named after him.
Me too.
I didn’t really have a crush on him. But I admired him acting like an older brother figure to the younger kids and looking out for them the way Luci did in season 1.
When I was a kid, I named my baby blanket after “the cute boy on Barney”. I still have my Michael. 😅
Wow it's so amazing to hear Brian speak, I haven't seen him in many years. I share in his sentiment, memories and fun times. I thought it was neat to hear how Penny was helping us with our Texas accents, my word was "get". Not many people share the same memories as the original cast. Best interview yet.
Jessica Zucha Tina is that you if it is you are one of my other favorite Barney characters from Barney and the backyard gang and Barney and friends I also have a question do you still have a original Barney and the backyard gang doll
@@jessiwilliams1012 yes, I have many items from my barney days.
Jessica Zucha I can’t wait I hope you get on the purple tales Podcast
@@jessicazucha6575 If you ever get onto Purple Tales Podcast, PLEASE bring those items with you.
I always thought you stole the show in the original three videos as a kid lol. I'm a late 90's baby and i think i watched the backyard gang videos more than i did the tv show. I could be wrong going by memory lol. But i just wanna say, i know you were just one role out of many involved including cast and crew, but thank you and everyone who made it all possible for putting smiles on my face and giving me and many others a fun and happy childhood. Backyard gang for life.💜
I'm so glad y'all got Brian Eppes, aka Michael on your show. Speaking of Michael, hopefully next time y'all can get Becky Swonke, who played Michael's sister Amy.
I'd like to see all of the Backyard Gang, including Alexander Jhin (Adam)
Dose he knows about the curse of the Chicago Blackhawks
I’d want to hear from Becky (Amy) just to hear her talk more into detail about her illness that caused her to leave Barney just when season 1 was about to be filmed. I hear she had a brain tumor and recovered (thankfully).
oh yeah, i remember Becky Swonke.
I would like to hear from Alexander Jhin who portrays Adam about feeling sick and having to miss the filming of Barney's Campfire Sing Along, and even explain about how thankful he was for Jeffrey Lowe to fill in for him in that video.
Micheal was so cute and still is I had a huge crush on him
Omg same here! I love him so much & I think he had a good singing voice! He was the cutest kid ever
I remember Brian Epps going through puberty on the show. I loved him back then and he can still get it now. Your wife and kids are lucky :)
He’ll be 40 this month and is now an attorney
Cynthia Horrix i feel old as hell hearing he’ll be in his 40s. I was 3 when I began watching Barney in 1992.
Otaku Gamer Me too
@@ljmcdonald2703 Brian is 42 years old now.
@NewAwakeningShifts
So did Luci and I think Adam. All 3 of them were the oldest Barney kids in its history.
Jason too, but he’s easily forgettable since he was just in the 3 pilot episodes then Disappeared.
Honestly, Brian “Michael” Eppes was my first crush😱😍. I adored him!!! And when I watched this podcast, my main thought was that he is still handsome (although he is 40)😍😍😍😍
Michael was my first love. I knew he was an actor playing a kid on the show, but I don't think I've ever gotten over the fact that Michael's not actually his real name 😂
What I loved was that Micheal, being one of the oldest kids next to Lucy in the Barney and Friends series, was so nice and helpful towards the younger kids. Almost like an older brother figure. Especially in season 2 when he was like 13, and just like Lucy, moved into middle school.
I’m glad to hear his voice. You guys should put Leah Gloria Montes in the show. She played Luci
she's gorgeous
Brian Eppes was on as Michael since the very beginning of the Backyard Gang in the very first video The Backyard Show in 1988. He was in all 8 videos of the Backyard Gang from 1988-1991 and then Seasons 1 and 2 of Barney & Friends from 1992-1993 on PBS. His last episode was on Having Tens Of Fun. And then he appear in the 10th Anniversary video Sing And Dance With Barney at the treehouse in 1999 which was his final appearance in the show.
Dose Brian Eppes Knows about the curse of the Chicago Blackhawks
Yes I remember all of it. Was so excited when he came back t to visit
He was my first crush 🥰. I wanted to be Kathy because she always danced with him. I imagined ice skating together, dancing, playing board games and lots of hugs. I can play his song, "Waiting for Santa" on my viola and the organ I inherited from my grandmother. I still know the lyrics and sing it to myself the night before Christmas. I typically watch it as I'm wrapping gifts.
Michael, I Loved Him!!!! Always thought he was so smart and like a big brother to all the other kids. I bet he is just stellar as both a husband and father now. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I agree
Michael was always my favorite guy character from the first generation of Barney thanks for getting Brian eppes on the show
Kevin Christman the second hot boy on the show remember angel/Robert
Brian turned out well, I'm happy for him! I grew up with the Lyrick era of Barney and onwards, but when I went back and watched the earlier years with 'Barney and the Backyard Gang' and seasons 1 - 3 of 'Barney & Friends,' Michael was one of my favorites because there was something special about him and he was very likable. Now I know that "Michael" is just as nice off screen as he is on screen!
i work at a daycare with 1 1/2 and two year olds mostly. They love to sway back and forth and dance to the Barney CD. It is the sweetest and cutest thing ever.
Michael was one of my favorite characters. I am going to confess, i did have a crush on him.
Wow. Good to see Michael now. One of my favorite characters on the show growing up. Now I hope y'all can get Luci now as well. That would be amazing to hear her stories.
It was so great to hear about Brian’s experience on Barney and Friends! Especially since he was one of the original kids from the beginning that I watched as a youngster! I love hearing these stories about what working on Barney was really like! Watching this podcast has made me appreciate the show even more as I enter adulthood! I’d love to show Barney to my future kids someday! I hope you guys keep going with this, especially for the old and new fans alike!
We Like To Thanks Barney, Bj, Baby Bop And Riff For Owned The Show
I can’t believe I’m seeing this. I used to have the biggest crush on this kid & owned & watched every Barney episode he was on.
Loving this podcast, been a massive fan of barney since I was a baby.
28 years later and it still never gets old. Grew up watching Michael, greatest podcast.
Big love from South Africa!!!
This was an absolutely amazing podcast! I always loved the character of Michael from the moment I saw Barney's Backyard Show and to now see how far he has come with his career, his wife and his wonderful children. It made me feel amazing because growing up with the character of Michael was a wonderful experience and he was always one of my favorites. In a way as a child, all the kids felt like they were your friends because we all had one thing in common, our love for Barney. So in a way, seeing and hearing from Brian today was like reuniting with an old friend from childhood. Definitely bring back more of the kids because they have all been wonderful!
I miss Barney and Friends! We use to escape reality with Barney. So much fun and so many different adventures and the songs were classics. I’m 36 and I probably still remember all the lyrics and music.
I Love How No Matter How Successful Brian Is Now, He Never Forgets Barney & His Friends & The People Who Helped Him Along The Way. He’s Man Enough To OWN He Was Apart Of Barney!
It’s wonderful he embraced it.
Brian is the perfect example of a former child star who was raised by good parents who cared about his well-being while still giving him a safe opportunity to allow him to experience acting…. which he liked.
No drugs, alcohol abuse, trouble with the law, parents taking advantage of his money.
If you can bring Jessica Zucha (Tina), Leah Gloria (Luci), Alexander Jhin (Adam) and Becky Swonke (Michael’s sister Amy) would love to see the original backyard gang
I really thought it was cool to see Amy do a backflip in "The Backyard Show" or Luci playing her guitar or Min dancing on the show or videos. I didn't know that they did it in real life, I'd wish Becky Swonke had been on the TV show, just to see her do a backflip while Luci was singing and playing that would have been cool.
Maybe Amy doing a backflip to Agnetha Fältskog singing "The Winner Takes It All" would be fun.
Has anyone watching barney as a kid dreamed of being on the set singing and dancing with barney? And the picture of michael and barney at the end of michaels run of the show says alot.
*faints* 😍...I LOVED Michael...I was like 3. I had ALL the Barney tapes!
I saw this interview a few months back let's just say having to stay inside makes people get bored and look up random things. He was my favorite character on the show growing up and now he's turned into a grown very handsome man. He seems really down-to-earth and just a very nice. Definitely a nice look back on late 80s 1990s nostalgia.
This is Awesome!! Brian looks great, I'm so glad he is doing well. Much Success for him. Great interview Carey and Nancy. 😊👍👍
EY! The OG michael's here! 😀
He's my owner. 😊😊😊😊😊
@@barneythedinosaur4283 are you really Barney?
@@isaiahtwasabi9402 really and truly
You need get Becky Swonke Smith (Amy), Leah Montes (Luci), Jessica Zucha (Tina), Alexander Jhin (Adam), Lauren King (Kathy), John David Bennett II (Shawn), Hope Cervantes (Tosha), and Susannah Wetzel Williams (Julie) on this podcast! It’s great to see a grown up Brian Eppes (Michael) onto this show!
"When I was little,I had the hugest crush on michael!!!! Brian epps!!!!
As a 21 year old i grew up loving barney when ever a episode was on my mom would record it on a video tape so we had a whole box of episodes of barney and then i come across this podcast today the childhood me is screaming
Thank you Nancy, Carrey and Brian please bring all the other kids from the backyard gang and even ones from the show cause honestly this means so much to me from a little girl to now so maybe yes I got rid of all my Barney things. But still I want to know more about everything. In the Barney world.
Barney and Bj Love Baseball
Guys you would seriously would warm my heart if I could see both Tina and Luci A.K.A Jessica and Leah on the show please!
So happy seeing Brian again! Loved all the stories from when I used to watch. Great episode!
This is so cool seeing Michael again.
He’s looking good at 40, just how Carey looks good at 51.
BarneyVoiceActor Yep
he's gonna be 40 according to imdb on sept 14 (it makes me feel old.)
BarneyVoiceActor 11 years actually
Yes he is
His parents still allowed him to have a normal childhood/youth after Barney ended. They didn’t pressure him to continue acting just to make money off him.
One of the happiest childhood memories I had was watching Barney.
I used to have such a big crush on Michael lol
I hope you get Trevor Morgan on this someday. He was in Barney’s Great Adventure
Yeah innnit
I know this Podcast was done last year in August, but I'm 48, and I have watched Barney since the day he came out. And I still love the show. The signature song I love, is Barney's I Love You Song, I even used to sing it to my little dog, Bambie, :).
Great episode loved listening to the podcast watching Barney & The Backyard Gang, Barney & Friends and Michael was one of my favorite character growing up .
So Awesome To See Brian Eppes Again Really Awesome and Great to see "Barney Lives With Michael and With Amy Then You'll Soon See Really Wonderful To See Mr Eppes On Purple Pod Cast
So you wanna know what's funny is I misunderstood amy then you'll soon see, as Amy Danielle Susie... Lol kids ears right?
Michael, Kathy, Jason, Derek, and Carlos are my favorite characters. The character Michael reminds me of myself when I was a kid
Michael derek Shawn Jason jeffrey Adam
Carlos Kenneth Juan nick Mario rusty
Min Kathy Carlos Michael ❤
I had such a crush on Carlos when I was little lol
@@justagirlfromphoenix1023I used to crush with Luci and Kathy when I was a little child
Loved seeing "Michael" on this podcast!!!! My heart was beating I was over joyed!!!! Who's coming next week??? Possibly Erica Rhodes who played Kim or I'm hoping Lucien Douglas who played Chip? Please continue with this wonderful podcast!!!!
@Alicia Will did you see Erica’s video from American Idol?
dev brew yes I did and she was awesome!!!
Does Michael Remember Bj And Baby Bop
Erica goes by the name Danielle Vega she’s on instagram and became a mom last year. Lauren King who played Kathy is on Facebook her mom died early this year
@@danzagirl227aliciawill5 where's chip now? I've never seen his face now
I really want to see the whole backyard gang and the first few casts of the new Barney. Criminal defense attorney! Woah 😧
When i was three years old. I had a Barney birthday celebration. But im still a huge Barney fans. But im an adult now. But i still do have an enormous crush on Brian. He and brian came to play with me and the kids in my playschool.
Brian was also on the reunion show Sing & Dance With Barney
He sure was
Yes I also saw he and angel/Robert interacting loooooove it
Taylor Noren sing and dance with Barney was back in the year 2000
Brandon Lyttleton same here
@@alisonclarke1127 did the role of gianna go directly to selena gomez or was it supposed to go to somebody else?
I loved Barney when I was little.... now my 1.5 year old LOVES it. I looked high and low on taking him to meet Barney but you can’t anymore 😭
I remember meeting Barney at a party once when I was around 4, sometime around '96 I think. One of the kids at the party ran away crying because he was scared of Barney and I remember pulling his tail because I was so fascinated by it😂
I think the hallmark of the greatness of Barney and Friends is that the actors may have had some trials and tribulations, but all of them grew up to be awesome people.
I didn’t expect to get emotional watching Brian Eppes but I did.... I grew up with his era of Barney and had all of the videos so I shed a few tears
I did as well. I was just a toddler in 1992 when season 1 aired. I didn’t watch it much anymore after season 3. By season 4, it was a whole new generation of kids.
I wish you could do this podcast again and get the girl who played Luci. She was my favorite
I was one of Barney's biggest fans and I've turned my 2 year old daughter into one too. I still have several Barney items from when I was very little, including a talking Barney doll, Baby Bop plush, Barney shoes, original Barney cassette with the best songs from the show, and figurines all of which I've given to my daughter (to borrow, lol they will always be mine) I'm about to be 28 and I still think this is the best show for kids. I've gotten sick of watching the newer seasons on Amazon, so I've had to go to TH-cam to get the good episodes. The kids from the first couple seasons of Barney and Friends will always be the best - they seemed so genuinely into what they were doing and you can tell they had a lot of fun! I threw a Barney birthday party for my daughter last week (I too, had a Barney 2nd birthday party) and I had to get everything online. It's hard to find Barney stuff... especially without dumbass Riff!
You should get fans of Barney to be on the show. I volunteer as tribute!
To talk about what it meant to them, how it felt growing up with Barney. Setting your Barney plush doll on the step and waiting for him to come alive.
Jan I agree
I wanna be in it
YAY MICHAEL IM SOOO HAPPY THANK YOU
MORE INTERVIEWS WITH THE KIDS PLEASE!!
already done (purple tales and/or purple roads)
Hannah (marisa kuers)
Derek (rickey carter)
Min (pia hamilton)
Michael (brian eppes)
Kim (erica rhodes/danielle vega)
Julie (susannah wetzel)
Emily (hannah owens)
still to come (hopefully)
Luci (leah gloria)
Tina (jessica zucha)
Shawn (john david bennett 2)
Carlos (corey lopez)
Jason (kurt dykhuizen)
Kathy (lauren king)
Tosha (hope cerventes)
Robert (angel velasco)
Chip (lucien douglas)
Danny (jeffrey hood)
Kristen (sara hickman)
Stephen (chase gallatin)
Ashley (maurie chandler)
Keesha (mera baker)
Jeff (austin ball)
Curtis (monte black)
season 1-6 i would appreciate it
and please no pairings like tina & luci or ashley and alissa... none of that
all individual interviews
please and thank you
for those who wants to know why single interview and no doubles is because if they interview them all one at a time, you will hear more stories and longer answers to every questions. but if they have more than one guest in the same interviews, the stories will have to be cut short and their won't be as many questions because you have two or more people answering. so that's why i think for double interviews like tina and luci, ashley and alyssa.... would be best after everyone had a single interview
Michael was the best.... Always so funny and his silly moments. Hopefully Tina and Luci is coming up soon.
I can wait see you very soon coming in next year for Lucy 2024
Barney's 1st and 2nd Batch are Tina,Derek,Luci,Amy,Adam,Kathy,Min,Shawn,Tosha,Julie,Jason,Carlos,Robert,Hannah and Linda
I have been waiting for this episode he brought the plush from Barney goes to school And that is also the Barney in the backyard gang fan club doll they sold two different dolls the one that you see in Barney goes to school and then the second one is the one they used and rock with Barney I am a huge Barney fan and getting to see my favorite character on purple tales podcast brings a lot of joy to my heart it is really good to see you Michael
Was that the actual plush doll in Barney goes to school tho?
pokemon101 yes
Next up... Luci, Tina, Kathy, Shawn, Tosha, Julie, Jason (not the one from Backyard Gang) and Carlos
I would love to see everyone, especially Barney And The Backyard Gang.
I loved Barney so much! I think it’ll be a great idea for someone to make a documentary on how Barney started and the old cast interviewed!
I think that would be fun to watch. Seems like life was simpler back then
While don't have to hope anymore already made one
That night light Brian mentioned I have one still in the packaging. I’m almost 29 years old and still love Barney. I want an autograph picture of Brian as long as he writes Hook ‘Em Horns on it lol
I remember watching barney, the first season and the first kid that i noticed and caught my attention was Michael. That boy had something that make want to watch barney besides being cute and later being my first crush at 7 years old. And indeed i was curious to know what he has become as a grown up.
He was 8 when he did the first three videos (The Backyard Show, Three Wishes, and A Day at the Beach), 10 when he did Waiting for Santa, Campfire Sing Along and Barney Goes to School, 11 when he did Barney in Concert and Rock with Barney, 12 when he did Season 1 of Barney and Friends and Barney's Magical Musical Adventure, 13 when he did Season 2 of Barney and Friends, and 19 when he did Sing and Dance With Barney
Wow. The Michael himself. He's all grown up now like the rest of us!
This is really special. Every guest on this podcast is special, eveyone in his or her own way, but Michael's special because...He was the first!
When I was little, because of the "Barney lives with Michael" verse in the Backyard Gang theme, I always associated Michael with Barney the way you associate Christopher Robin with Winnie the Pooh.
He and his sister were Barney's first friends who shared him with the rest of the gang and then passed Barney down to the coming generations, well, to us at home.
Even as a kid watching the show it felt like Barney was the coolest toy ever, that happened to belong to Michael and Amy, and they shared him with us and let us play with him even after they graduated and left him behind at the school.
I remember one episode where he was in a robot costume and then yelled out, "Surprise!" I think 1992.
Stop trying to act like you noticed something that no one else noticed. The robot outfit was apart of the theme song for years.
That was in the first episode, "The Queen of Make-Believe"
I didn't know that Brian Eppes played Michael on that show until years later. I thought that the kids on the show were playing themselves until I got older.
What fascinates me, is Tina, one of my favorite female kids on the show has the same first name as me. My real name is Jessica just like her actress, Jessica Zucha.
Barney in concert was what I loved! And waiting for Santa and the camping one and the knight in the castle one where they sang a song like "castle so high, up in the sky"
Dude I remember this dude on barney magical musical adventure so well! This dude was awesome
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Brian it was a lot of fun and I will hopefully soon be on the podcast
Oh yes! You should. You and anybody else involved with Barney made my childhood.
I would LOVE to see you on the Podcast, Becky.
The Barney family is big and full of love, so definitely come on the podcast. I grew up more with the TV show but even now as an adult I love watching the Backyard Gang videos. Which video was your favorite to film Becky?
It’s amazing that he’s talking like a real adult instead of like he’s cursed with happiness 😂😂😂😂
Michael you were so cute in the song I can laugh then when I saw John David Bennett who played Shawn sing that song in the episode called at home with animals I thought you would have been so proud of him doing a great job on the song that made you famous
It’s amazing that they finally got Brian to speak on the show about his experiences on the Barney tapes through the first 2 seasons of the TV Adaptation of Barney. And I think…. That he would’ve made a great young actor as a teen and adult if he stayed in the industry but Unfortunately, he decided to go back home and live a normal life for awhile Until…. he became a Lawyer which I heard is what he’s currently doing nowadays. And that’s a cool role for him to get some people out of Criminal charges which to me is kinda dramatic in a way. But seeing how he’s matured himself over the past 2 decades, he reached puberty the moment he turned 30! I wish he would return to acting for now in Movies like high profile live action stuff. But It doesn’t seem like that’s ever gonna happen anytime soon. But Atleast his past Career was my Childhood Barney series.
If only he knew the kind of hatred his show got in the elementary school playground. Telling another kid that they watched Barney was considered the worst insult.
Suzannah Wetzel who played Julie should come to the podcast
My Own Lane I'd also like to see Kenny Cooper, who played David, guest appear as well.
Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato should as well
Isaiah Wasabi That would get a lot of views. ClevverNews, that TH-cam channel that reports on celebrity news, they would definitely see cover that, if Selena and Demi guest appear on this podcast.
@@SuperSonicWarrior93 Selena and Demi are the 2 main celebrities that did Barney and friends when they were young
Isaiah Wasabi My point exactly.
Here is a fun fact that i never knew when i heard of a day at the beach that video was the very first barney video that has ever been recorded because most of the backyard gang meet barney for the very first time but the backyard show was the very first video that has ever been released
I kinda wish Michael was in the New York Special it would have fit perfectly for him
And Tina too
I had a crush on Michael as a kid. ☺️
Brian Eppes (Michael) Leah Montes (Luci) and Jessica Zucha (Tina) all have their own kids now, I think if they brought the show back on they should cast their kids and for one episode have the original kids come back (Michael, Luci, and Tina) and their kids discover that they were one of barneys original friends. show flashback clips and see if they can do what they did.
One change I would make is lose the clubhouse setting and bring back the school setting.
I remember Michael from when he was on the first and second season of Barney and Friends............
I admire the fact that Micheal was so nice and helpful to the younger kids. Like acting like an older brother figure towards them the same way Lucy did in season 1.
Omg Brian has changed so much since 1992
I love this podcast!! But we now need to get Leah Gloria and Jessica Zucha on there now. Then we have to get Becky who played Amy on the show!! Incidentally, I really loved that Brian remembers a lot of what happened on Barney and Friends and his time with Barney and how he got his kids into it!
Clark Engelson I also hope they get Alexander Jhin, who played Adam.
can we get some likes for the OG BYG?
Michael looks amazing....... he was one of my favorite characters on Barney and Friends...............
Michael was definitely several people’s first crush 😋
I didn’t crush on him. But he was one of my favorite male characters from season 1,2, and 3 and the Backyard Gang.
Hope to see Leah Luci Gloria Montes Soon That would be super awesome
They gotta have angel/Robert on here I loved him sooooo much more as a child!! I’m begging please get him on the show!!
Yeah
Robert Jeff Steven Curtis danny my favorite
Sheryl Leach basically criticized Sesame Street for being too complicated, although that was back when Barney first came out.
TyrekeCorrea Sheryl Leach NEVER attacked or had anything negative to say about any of the shows including Sesame Street. I would like to see some form of proof of her criticizing Sesame Street for being “too complicated” 😒
@@mackking7202 It's kind of obscure, but it did happen. Caroll Spinney wasn't crazy about Barney, either.
@@TyrekeCorrea you got a link to an interview of carol spinney talking about Barney ? I met him at a con couple years ago. He was so kind
@@oblongfan1 He mentions it at some point during his interview for the Archive of American Television; I think it was recorded in 2001.
I think 13 to 14 was the maximum age before the kids were retired from the show, some of the first and second generation kids, were quite long lived, ie Min,Chip,Keesha, Kim and Kristen for example did episodes right into their early teenage years. Young Talent Time here in Australia had a strict policy of retiring cast members as soon as they hit 13 or 14.
That makes perfect sense. Luci’s actress was around 13 during season 1, then left the show afterwards. (Although she made one appearance in season 2).
I think they kept Luci on season 1 to portray a big sister figure and role model the younger kids could look up to. Technically yes! She was Tina’s big sister. But Luci acted like a “ Big sister” to all the kids since she was the oldest.
I had no idea that Brian was ill when he was in the sleigh scene in Waiting For Santa IMDB should’ve featured some trivia on it
I get where Brain’s parents were coming from in the sense of honoring and sticking to a commitment. And my 5-year-old self was glad to see him in this episode.
However, I disagree with forcing your sick kid to “power through” at work and potentially worsening his condition AND exposing others to getting sick. He should’ve been at home resting and taking care of his health. Especially pneumonia, which can be serious if not taken seriously.
I was happy seeing Michael
i love barney ive been a big fan for a long time
5:03 he's totally grows up! He's the best character and first owner of barney from the backyard gang!
He should've talked about appearing in some of the episodes of Gerbert as well. So, he could've explained about Andy Holmes working with some of the cast members he worked with during the filming of the season three episodes of Gerbert, and then he could've explained about his favorite parts of the episodes he appeared in, and even explained about his special role from the episode of Gerbert; "A Lesson Long Overdue" too, portraying Bradley Smith who shows Gerbert his baseball collection. In some other episodes, he played Ricky in the episodes; "Being Franklin", "Pranksters", "Medicine Isn't Candy", and "Bubble Trouble."
Bring David voss please i want to know how he got the job as barney
He came out to be good looking guy. He aged well and plus michael was my favorite charcter on the show lol
No drugs, no alcohol abuse, no child star curse, no toxic parents grooming him up to make money off him.
- Just a young boy getting some acting experience while still being allowed to enjoy his childhood and parents keeping him grounded and personal life private.
@@amylee8969 I agree he is definitely a role model. He may not be an actor anymore but he is still a good guy.
One of the Original Backyard Gang...a legend!