For one, I don't get why people hate this show. I mean, it's average at the least and fantastic at the most. Just, what is so bad about this show? Because the show does a lot of things right.
For one, let me talk about the animation. It's very nice CGI that doesn't feel like a cheap downgrade from the movie. The characters are always moving, the settings are nicely detailed, I can actually believe this to be a TRUE Nickelodeon universe, unlike the OTHER shows I mentioned.
The characters are also pretty good. Otis, the main character, is very curious, crazy, sometimes selfish, and very likable. One nitpick I have with Otis is that his personality seems to fluctuate throughout the show. In certain episodes, Otis is dumb, blind, selfish, and crazily fun. Yet in others, he's fun, smart, energetic, and clever. It's just jarring...
Pip is a nice character also. He has the right amount of energy, the right amount of intelligence, and the perfect voice to match!
Pig is Patrick Star. The only difference is that Pig is more caring, smart, and dirty compared to Patrick. Personally, I'd say he's either gonna really make you laugh, or will tick you off.
Freddy and Peck are the usual, One-Friend-Wants-To-Eat-The- Other scenario. Although it's actually justified because Freddy is a carnivore, and at times he tries to resist eating Peck, but gives into his cravings. Peck is the smart, talkative one, who always gets abused. Although, unlike Squidward, Peck's abuse is funny. For example, in certain episodes, a random meteorite crushes Peck for no reason. And in others, people call him out for being too smart. Freddy is hilarious, yet disturbing in CERTAIN episodes... Anyways, I love these two, they are a comical duo done right.
A new character was added to the show called Abby, most likely to replace Daisy from the movie. She's basically Sandy Cheeks, although a bit more wilder and brave. In one episode, (paired with Anchor Cow) Abby was shown simply beating up all the males and they were acting like prissies. Personally, I hate episodes like that. I know about the whole female empowerment thing. But most times, they screw it up by making females stronger than ALL males, rather than gender equality. Anyways, back to Abby. She's a pretty fun character that has motivations for what she does, and sometimes feels left out by all the males. Her voice is the only thing I can't tolerate. It's just too high pitched! But at least it fits her character.
Bessie is the typical, 'Black-Woman-is-Ghetto' character. And am I the only person sick and tired of people assuming all Blacks are ghetto and only like rap. Because it's not true! Bessie... I like her. Despite her being the stereotypical Black woman, it fits her character. She's very sassy and intelligent and loves to insult people. In fact, in one episode (can't recall), there is a montage of her insulting people, and ending with a funny as heck line! So basically, Bessie is a very good character with funny lines.
The TRUE antagonist of the show is Mrs. Nora Beady. Frankly, I don't get her motivations for trying to expose the talking animals. It's probably revealed in Barnyard, but I can't remember. Anyways, I like this character a lot. Her voice is perfect, her plans are for the most part logical (something rare these days), and she has very funny moments that makes her fun to watch. One of my favorite Nickelodeon villains. Up there with Plankton, Technus, Vlad, Professor C., and Crocker!
If I had to pick 10 episodes I'd recommend you watch first, here they are (not a top 10): 1. Escape from the Barnyard 2. Saving Mrs. Beady 3. The Farmer Takes a Wife 4. Fowl Play 5. Dummy and Dummier 6. Cowman: The Uddered Avenger 7. Happy Animal Fun Time 8. Kids in the City 9. Barnyards and Broomsticks 10. Treasure Hunt
The humor isn't centered around toilets and butts, unlike those OTHER shows! It's more natural humor, like something you'd find in SpongeBob. For example, one joke in Mission: Saving Bigfoot, has Otis stuffing Pip into Pig's armpit to keep him warm from the subzero temperatures, as Pip was about to freeze to death. The only thing Pig says is, "That tickles." No disgusting close-ups of his armpit, or Pip saying it smells bad and making gagging noises. The joke continues on throughout the rest of the episode, but it's brief and is not disgusting as say, 'Fart Baby' from Sanjay and Death. If you want a laugh, then this is a good show. Most episodes are parodies such as Fowl Play being a parody of Child's Play. They usually get the parody right and that's basically the structure of the show.
While not as good as say Kenan & Kel, Fairly Oddparents (pre-2007), and SpongeBob, Back at the Barnyard is a fun show for kids. THIS is a show your kids should be watching. Not simple toilet humor. Not twerking poorly-animated ducks. THIS!
At the same time I would've wanted the show to continue, I'm glad it ended. I wanted a third season, and was saddened when the series finale aired. But as of the network now, I'm happy. Because Nickelodeon may have simply put nothing but premature jokes and toilet humor into the show, or would've canceled it/move it to online like they did Korra. So Back at the Barnyard, I'm sorry that you ended, but it was for the better. Be glad you don't have to suffer the same fate as the new shows on Nickelodeon.
