We all now we all know that former Barbie beau Ken likes to lift his shirt. What you may not know, however, is the exact moment he realized his yen for men.
From a NY Times article on revamping beloved children’s toys:
Reinventing these beloved characters without inflicting indelible damage is one of the entertainment industry’s trickiest maneuvers. Go too far, as Mattel did in 1993 when it gave Ken a purple mesh T-shirt, a pierced ear and the name “Earring Magic Ken,” and it can set off a brand crisis on a global scale.
….
Earring Magic Ken is the industry’s nightmare. The character, who had blond highlights in his hair and a leather vest, drew howls from consumers, who did not see him as a realistic boyfriend for Barbie. Ken was already coping with arched eyebrows over his sexual orientation, and he seemed to have come out of the closet – something that Mattel most definitely did not intend.
Yes, but at least Ken broke free of that bitch Barbie’s manicured clutches. He has since founded a gay resort in Key West.
CitizenGeek
Ken is so obviously gay. It’s awesome.
GoodBuddy
What the NY Times doesn’t mention (at least in this excerpt) is the thing hanging around Ken’s neck – a cock ring. From some articles on this doll at the time, apparently no one at Mattel knew what it was. A rather flustered PR rep at was quoted along the lines of ‘we certainly aren’t in the business of teaching pre-pubescent girls what cock rings are.’ Perhaps no one at the NY Times knows what a cock ring is either.
I have one of these (still in it’s package) and gave some out as presents at the time. There are also several for sale on Ebay.
Qjersey
Still have one in the box too, and my ex drove all over north jersey to find me one (rather than pay twice the price in the gay shops in NYC).
I’ve seen them on eBay and collectible shops for close to 100 bucks.
Yeah and I have that pic on a postcard too.
todd
It all went south when she lived in the dream house in the holly wood hills, and he stayed in the manhattan apartment…
CAm
That doll was the biggest selling Ken Doll in Matels history. Apparently what upset them was that most of the people buying it hwere men from 18-35. They yanked it from the market even though Earing Magic Barbie was still for sale. They should have spun him off, Ken and his “Friends”. You could have had his Provincetown Dream 2nd Home, his “Roomate” Dirk, his California Dream Wedding Tux. etc…
Paul Raposo
Brings back memories of the closet 8^(
When Ken came out, I still hadn’t and even though I thought the doll was adorable I never bought one because I was worried the cashier would think I was a homo. I bought one off the ‘Bay several years ago and he holds a prideful place on my mantle today 8^)
Cue Diana Ross!
mark
Ken came out just before the cock-ring version, too bad the religious right let diaper dyke Skipper slip right below their radar…LOL.