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In 1993, a version was released called ''[[Earring Magic Ken]]''. The style of the doll resembled fashions among some segments of the [[gay]] community, and the doll attained a cult following.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manbehindthedoll.com/mbtd_earring.htm |title=The Man Behind The Doll presents Earring Magic Ken |publisher=Manbehindthedoll.com |date=1993-07-01 |accessdate=2010-08-16}}</ref>
In 1993, a version was released called ''[[Earring Magic Ken]]''. The style of the doll resembled fashions among some segments of the [[gay]] community, and the doll attained a cult following.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manbehindthedoll.com/mbtd_earring.htm |title=The Man Behind The Doll presents Earring Magic Ken |publisher=Manbehindthedoll.com |date=1993-07-01 |accessdate=2010-08-16}}</ref>

It's all about Barbs and Ken dolls. The rest of the world can jack off with a rusty hammer. #TeamMinaj It's Pink Friday Hoe!!!


Ken's best friend, Allan Sherwood (Midge's boyfriend, later husband), was introduced in 1964. The first African-American male doll, Brad, was introduced in 1968, as the boyfriend of Barbie's African-American friend, [[List of Barbie's friends and family#Christie|Christie]], who was introduced in 1967.<ref name="mattel1">http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/History/mattel_history.pdf</ref> Brad was voiced by actor [[Terry Carter]].
Ken's best friend, Allan Sherwood (Midge's boyfriend, later husband), was introduced in 1964. The first African-American male doll, Brad, was introduced in 1968, as the boyfriend of Barbie's African-American friend, [[List of Barbie's friends and family#Christie|Christie]], who was introduced in 1967.<ref name="mattel1">http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/History/mattel_history.pdf</ref> Brad was voiced by actor [[Terry Carter]].

Revision as of 21:58, 1 December 2011

File:Ken Doll c1960.jpg
Ken, c. 1961

Ken (Ken Sean Carson) is a Mattel toy doll introduced by Mattel in 1961 as the fictional boyfriend of toy doll Barbie introduced in 1959. Similar to his female counterpart, Ken had a fantastically fashionable line of clothing and accessories. In the Barbie mythos, Ken and Barbie met on the set of a TV commercial in 1961. Since his debut, Ken has held at least forty occupations, from Sugar's daddy (2010),[1] to hair stylist (1991, 1992, 1999).[2] Mattel has never specified the precise nature of their relationship.

Overview

From 1961 to the debut of Superstar Ken in 1977, Ken had straight arms and a head that could only turn left and right. Ken's hair was felt in his first year but replaced with a plastic, molded haircut when the felt hair was found to fall off when wet.[2] Superstar Ken featured a dimpled smile, a head that could swivel, bent arms, a more muscular physique, jewelry, and underwear permanently molded to his body. The woman who made the Ken doll made it to resemble her husband.

In 1993, a version was released called Earring Magic Ken. The style of the doll resembled fashions among some segments of the gay community, and the doll attained a cult following.[3]

It's all about Barbs and Ken dolls. The rest of the world can jack off with a rusty hammer. #TeamMinaj It's Pink Friday Hoe!!!

Ken's best friend, Allan Sherwood (Midge's boyfriend, later husband), was introduced in 1964. The first African-American male doll, Brad, was introduced in 1968, as the boyfriend of Barbie's African-American friend, Christie, who was introduced in 1967.[4] Brad was voiced by actor Terry Carter.

The unrealistic physiques of Barbie and Ken caused comment. Yale University psychologist, Kelly Brownell, observed that to size up to what Barbie looks for in a mate, "a man would have to grow 20 inches taller and add nearly 8 inches to his neck circumference, 11 inches to his chest and 10 inches to his waist to resemble the muscular Ken."[5]

In February, 2004, Mattel announced a split for Ken and Barbie, with Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, saying that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time – apart...Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end", though Arons indicated that the duo would "remain friends". He also hinted that the separation might be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married.[6] In February, 2006 however, a revamped version of the Ken doll was launched, and it appeared that their relationship was official again.[7][8]

Like Barbie, Ken is named after one of Ruth Handler's children. Sadly, the real 'Ken' Handler died in 1994 of a brain tumor. In January 2009, the media reported on the publication of a book entitled Toy Monster: The Big, Bad World of Mattel by Jerry Oppenheimer. In the book, Oppenheimer claims that Ken Handler "grew up embarrassed and humiliated by having an anatomically incorrect boy doll named after him with no hint of genitalia."[9]

In October 2009, Mattel announced a new Palm Beach line which included a Sugar Daddy Ken doll aimed for adult collectors. The said line will officially debut in the spring of 2010. The line proved to be controversial, because of Ken's suggestive-sounding name. The doll had a more mature appearance and came with a West Highland Terrier puppy. Mattel defended the doll's name, saying that the puppy's name is "Sugar", thus making Ken "Sugar's Daddy".[10]

In 2011, Mattel introduced Japan Ken, the first Ken doll to be included in the Dolls of the World collection, which was formerly a Barbie-only line. The Japan Ken doll features a new face sculpt. [11]

Animal Lovin' Ken appeared in the Disney Pixar film Toy Story 3, voiced by actor Michael Keaton.

Bibliography

  • "Barbie and Ken: History." Olsen, Eric. Blog Critics Magazine, 15 February 2004. [12] 15 February 2004.
  • "How do Barbie and Ken Measure Up?" Berg-Cross, Linda. Psychotherapy Letter. Apr96, Vol. 8 Issue 4, p3, 1/3p. [13]
  • Mattel History. [4] 2001 Mattel Inc.

References

  1. ^ "Barbie's 'Sugar Daddy Ken' Doll Raises Eyebrows – ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  2. ^ a b "Keeping Ken 101". Manbehindthedoll.com. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  3. ^ "The Man Behind The Doll presents Earring Magic Ken". Manbehindthedoll.com. 1993-07-01. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  4. ^ a b http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/History/mattel_history.pdf
  5. ^ Concordia University Library (Montreal, Canada)
  6. ^ "Barbie and Ken: History". Blogcritics.org. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  7. ^ CNN.com – It's splitsville for Barbie and Ken – Feb. 12, 2004[dead link]
  8. ^ "CNN.com – Madeover Ken hopes to win back Barbie – Feb 10, 2006". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  9. ^ David Gardner (2009-01-08). "Man who created Barbie and Ken dolls was 'kinky swinger with manic need for sexual gratification'". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  10. ^ "ABC News | Business | 'Sugar Daddy Ken' Doll Raises Eyebrows". Abcnews.go.com. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  11. ^ "Japan Ken Doll". Mattel. 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  12. ^ "Barbie and Ken: History – Blogcritics Culture". Blogcritics.org. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
  13. ^ "EBSCOhost – world’s foremost premium research database service". Search.ebscohost.com. Retrieved 2010-08-16.
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