Barney Gets the Documentary Treatment, The Challenge Introduces 'Ride or Die' Pairings

It’s been a long, controversial road for Barney the Dinosaur, the purple T-Rex at the center of PBS children’s series Barney & Friends. 12 years after the series last aired, Barney returns to the screen in Peacock docuseries I Love You, You Hate Me, which chronicles the backlash to Barney and the beginnings of modern-day hate culture.

Also today: “Ride or die” duos take center stage in a new season of The Challenge, Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski hosts Netflix’s Easy-Bake Battle, John Stamos dramedy Big Shot levels up, and more. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this Wednesday:

I Love You, You Hate Me: Complete docuseries. Director Tommy Avallone chronicles the rise and fall of Barney the Dinosaur’s furious backlash in a two-part series that attempts to unpack how a children’s character who stood for inclusion and kindness birthed a movement of anger that threatened the show, its creators, and their futures. Watch trailer. Streaming on Peacock

The Challenge: Season 38 premiere. For the first time, contestants will be paired with their closest real-life ally (their “ride or dies”) as they complete mental and physical challenges in hopes of winning the $1 million prize. The new season begins with a 90-minute episode featuring a cutthroat twist. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on MTV

Easy-Bake Battle: Complete Season 1. Inspired by Hasbro’s iconic Easy-Bake Oven, this competition asks home cooks to use their most ingenious kitchen hacks to make the easiest, fastest, and most delicious dishes. Hosted by Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Big Shot: Complete Season 2. Determined to get his team broadcast on ESPN, Coach Marvyn Korn (John Stamos) recruits an unlikely player: Ava (Sara Echeagaray), a beach volleyball phenom whose public tantrum got her ousted from the sport. Meanwhile, the Westbrook Sirens work to stay on track as their school becomes co-ed and tension erupts among their teammates. Watch trailer. Streaming on Disney+

Welcome to Wrexham: Season 1 finale. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s first season as Wrexham Football Club owners comes to an end with three new episodes. The finale sees Wrexham fight for a promotion out of the National League. 10:00 PM ET on FX

Wild Croc Territory: Complete Season 1. Matt Wright and his fearless team of crocodile wranglers catch some of the world’s most ferocious reptiles in Australia’s wild Outback. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Andor: New episode. Watch preview. Streaming on Disney+

National Hockey League: TNT broadcasts its first games of the 2022-2023 NHL season tonight:

• Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT
• Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche 9:30 PM ET/6:30 PM PT

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Season 12 reunion (Part 1). Emotions run high as Kathy Hilton confronts Lisa Rinna in the first night of Bravo's three-part reunion. Garcelle Beauvais, Erika Girardi, Dorit Kemsley, Crystal Kung Minkoff, Kyle Richards, and Diana Jenkins (appearing remotely after testing positive for COVID-19) will also be on hand to hash out the biggest moments of the season. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Bravo

Chicago Med: New episode. When a subway train goes off the tracks, Crockett (Dominic Rains) volunteers to help the victims. Followed by new episodes of Chicago Fire and Chicago PD. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

Sistas: Season 5 premiere. While Andi (K.J. Smith) confronts Gary (Chido Nwokocha) about his intention to lawyer up against her, Karen’s (Ebony Obsidian) health is at risk as she comes to terms with her depth of love for Zac (Devale Ellis). Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on BET

Abbott Elementary: New episode. After Gregory (Tyler James Williams) sends a disruptive student to the principal’s office, he’s dismayed to find out the kids actually enjoy spending the supposed disciplinary time with Ava (Janelle James). Meanwhile, Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) invites Janine (Quinta Brunson) over to her house to teach her how to cook, but Janine becomes determined to reunite Melissa with her estranged sister. 9:00 PM ET on ABC

Love at First Lie: Series premiere. Tori Spelling hosts MTV’s first relationship mystery competition, in which couples attempt to guess who is in a real relationship, and who is fake. At the end of each episode, couples must eliminate who they think is lying about their love, with correct guesses adding $25,000 to the prize fund. 9:30 PM ET on MTV

Archer: Season 13 finale. Archer and the gang need proof in order to temper expectations and ice the mission. 10:00 PM ET on FXX

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.