As a woman who was a little girl who VOTED for Blaine during the Cali Girl era I want to apologize to Ken I didn't mean to ruin his life I just thought Blaine had a cooler outfit
I just wanted some drama for the Barbie universe. That's what happens growing up in a house where watching telenovelas was a staple from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Mon - Fri
@@Alagborielthat was just such a weird characterization for the time period, considering that mustache was so popular during the 70s. So many well-loved men had that mustache then 🤨
As a little boy back then I remember asking my mom to buy me a Ken doll, I got tired with hotwheels and wanted to try a "boy doll" aside from GI Joe. He introduced me to the world of fashion dolls thanks to him 👱🏻♂️💙
I remember that since I was a child I liked Barbie a lot but since I knew that it would be impossible for my family to buy it for me, I wanted a Ken doll so much (they didn't buy it either) however when I was at university I indirectly fulfilled my wish because I gave my niece a gift Ken doll precisely the Concert Ken that appears in this video, curiously her male friends neighbors used it when they played with her.
@@clos4824 I got a vintage Ken doll today and he has the blonde hair on the head sculpt used for Animal Loving Ken, he comes with corduroy on his outfit.
I love that Ken used to have flocked hair and it would wear off eventually and honestly that’s the most realistic doll feature! Mattel should bring this back and call it “Hair Loss Ken!”
I too, had a blonde, flocked-hair, Ken that suffered from male pattern baldness. I colored his head with a brown crayon. (the yellow crayon didn't do the job).
Childhood memory: I was at the religious girl's house and we were playing with her barbies. I needed Ken's clothes for Barbie, so I stripped him and tossed him back in the box. A few hours later, my mom gets a call from the other mom, *very* upset that Ken was naked. New rule that Ken couldn't be left naked. To this day my mom and I are still baffled. It's not like Ken has anything to show between his legs.
I had the opposite trauma go down. My religious friend showed me what sex was by smashing Barbie and ken’s crotches together rather aggressively. Her mother was a nurse so I think she had pretty early exposure to sex ed but I was thoroughly horrified by the entire reenactment haha
lol I remember I'd often leave a few of my Barbies that I didn't like as much naked while I used their clothes for my favorites. And even if I had extra clothes I'd still leave them naked just because I didn't play with them....
Funny thing - my Mom refused to buy me a Ken or GI Joe (for whatever reasons she had) SO I cut all the hair off of one of my Barbies and so my favorite Barbie had a “girlfriend” Barbie. Later on my Aunt would say I created the first Lesbian Barbie.
Hey Joey, you crack me up! I am 71 years old and had Barbie and Ken from 1961. My Ken was flocked and had brown hair. It was a Sears exclusive with brown hair very different from the black haired version. Keep up the interesting videos!
That's awesome! I'm 67. I never had a Ken. I had a Titian Midge and my sister had a black bubble cut Barbie and that was it! In the 90s I bought my daughters and sons a couple dozen Babies lol.
I absolutely love how you tell the story of the characters with all the T and drama. Its like a soap oprea. Other barbie people dont do it like you do. The story building is amazing.
Wow, I never realized how many shaving Kens there are. Lol I'm so glad that you mentioned Blaine and the drama that he brought to the Barbie world. That was an interesting era.
As a Ken fan, loved this history lesson! Small correction: the rooted Afro-haired Ken was actually the first black Mattel doll labeled as “Ken” (before that, they were Ken’s “friends” Brad and Curtis), and he came out in 1982. Also, FINALLY someone admits how hideous the 80’s Superstar Ken’s sculpts were! That was his low point, IMO…
As a child I always wanted to buy 2010's Ken Fashionistas cause they look stunning, The articulation, the Rooted Hair, everything looks so high quality but unfortunately my budget back then says no. Now as an adult I would say that 2010's Ken Fashionistas still remains my favorite era and Ryan particularly is so handsome for me lol! That's why I don't understand people who don't like to collect kens cause they look so cool
Omg yes, I grow up in this era of ken they still look great, I didn't own one as well sadly. Like you I I didn't have the budget as well so all of my kens are bootlegs but some of them actually look good.
Fun fact : ken had that blaine face mold till 2010 in the barbie fashionistas and including barbie a fashion fairytale ken doll and the barbie in a mermaid tale doll and in the year 2011 he got his new face so he got the dates wrong but its fine everyone makes mistakes❤
Same, finally at that time ken got some decent articulation, and handsome face molds, cause the past ones had always some weird features, and the rooted hair actually looked good, with the new fashionistas they lost all of that but gained diversity, now only collector kens still kinda keep those details
I don't really care what Ken looks like anymore, tbh. As long as he remains that adorable, secretly genius doofus who loves his girl and is nice to everyone, he can stay.
I love that you dressed up as earring magic Ken for pride! This year the carnival theme in Provincetown, MA is toys and I can’t wait to see what people come up with!
Since Mattel seems obsessed with Ken shaving through the years, I can't wait till they introduce Manscaping Ken, Giving Magic Earring Ken (my personal fave) a run for his money! Cheers, Joey, love your videos.
Is it weird that I think Barbie looks too old for Ken in the later stages? They gave Ken such a charming, youthful face, and then Barbie still looks fabulous, but the vibe just comes off a bit more mature.
They definetly always had Barbie looking older, especially in her earlier years. That's why I never took it seriously when they would say she was a "teen", I was like teen model where?! THAT'S A GROWN WOMAN!
I was talking to my boyfriend about this video, especially the parts with Ken's little brother Tommy and Barbie's other boyfriend Blaine. He said "strange that every male close to Ken dissappears... " 👀☠️
I had the 97 Big Brother Ken doll with Tommy. That's my favorite Ken face sculpt. The 2010s one looks kinda like Zack Efron lol not bad but definitely younger looking.
I don't get why people say that, I mean I quite do but almost every character in the Barbie brand was created to be something for her, and the ones that don't usually don't last long. Ken was her boyfriend, Midge her best friend, Skipper her sister, Francie her cousin, and the list goes on. Ken is literally the only one between her friends and family that was never discontinued and I think Mattel should treat him better I think Barbie and Ken have a lot in common with Ruth and Elliot Handler and Ruth used to care about both of them when she was in charge of the brand. Let me tell you a little bit about Barbie and Ken’s trajectory. In 1959, Barbie, which was inspired by the Bild Lilli doll, was released as a “Teenage Fashion Model doll by Mattel". In 1960 she was a fashion designer and that same year she got a fan club, The children at the fan club began to send letters to Mattel asking for a boyfriend or a husband for Barbie. Then, in 1961, the Ken doll, which was inspired by the actor Troy Donahue, was released as Barbie’s boyfriend. Around the same time, the album "Barbie Sings!" was released with 06 songs in which Barbie and Ken sang about each other so in 1961 they were both singers, and in that same year Barbie was a flight attendant, a nurse, and a ballerina. In 1962 she started to get books, The first was called "Stories about the Fabulous Barbie and Her Boyfriend Ken" They also got a comic book "Barbie and Ken Comic Magazine" and Jumbo Trading cards, and that year Ken was an airplane pilot, a doctor, a ballet dancer, and a baseball player and both were tennis players, that year they also were both able to drive since the first car in the Barbie line was released and was described as the car that Barbie and Ken could drive. In 1963 they were both "College Graduates". In 1965 they were both astronauts and she was also a teacher. In the 60s both would also be students and would have wedding sets and outfits. Ruth Handler had to walk out from Mattel around 1970 and a few years later Mattel began to put Ken more aside
Omg, I still have the cool school Ken and photographer Ken. I bought two years ago the new Cool Shape Ken, the new soccer Ken and Ken Looks #18 arrive today.
My mom thought Beach Fun Ken's head came off and went back on so she let me take him into the bath and then ripped off his head to dump out the water. Needless to say, that head was not meant to come off and I had a headless Ken doll for many years until my brother figured out how to glue it back on. That was a core memory.
My first Ken was Movie Date Ken from 2000. Such a handsome doll with probably one of the best rooted hairstyles I’ve seen on a Ken. I still have him, carefully placed in a bin full of a bunch of other Kens I’ve collected throughout the years (my current place is too small to display my doll collection). But he’s a part of my favorite era of Kens; the late 90’s-early 00’s. I liked his more down-to-earth looks and muted palette, which made him seem like a friendly guy’s guy. The newer Ken is too manicured and twink-like.
I’m 59 and love your videos 😂! I had the super 70s Mod Hair Ken and still have him! Ken and Barbie might just be friends now but when me and my girlfriends played with them, we always had them “doing it”! 🤣
Then again, there were the oodles of Ken dolls that were released to coinside with the Barbie dolls for the movies! I still remember getting a "Nutcracker/Prince Eric" Ken doll to pair with my "Clara" Barbie doll for Christmas '01 (I had got the "Clara" doll and the VHS of Barbie in the Nutcracker the week before on my birthday).
I got the Rollerblading Ken for my birthday in second grade because the only Ken that I had previously was my mom's old one from the late 60s and my brother gave him a sharpie beard.
I only ever had the 1 Ken doll as a kid, so quite often he'd have a harem of girlfriends. I recently bought Barbie Looks Ken HJW85 and he is the most handsome Ken I've ever seen.
I remember my older cousin having the mod Ken with the rooted hair and stick-on facial hair. I didn't realize at the time that Ken was no longer in production, which is one reason why I could get my mom to buy me one. I got a basic Robert Redford face sculpt one. I had maybe 3 other changes of clothes for him so he didn't get out much. Thank you for a fun little trip down memory lane.
i absolutely loooved playing with barbie’s as a kid. so, i guess not so surprisingly i reaaally enjoyed this video!! thank you, will have to check out your channel
My mom had one of the very first Ken dolls back in the 60s. As a child in the 90s I used to play with my Mom's Ken .I made him the dad of my Ken Also. my mom's Ken had a massive bald patch on top of his head. No wonder I made him the Dad of my Ken 😂
As you talk about the 2005 relaunch of Ken I can't help but notice that he resembles YOU!! Ironically with a face sculpt you're not a fan of. Check out 12:35!
I’ve wanted a cockring- I mean earring magic Ken for years tbh. And I don’t even collect dolls 😅 The only Ken doll I ever had was Nutcracker Ken/Prince Eric. I lost his clothes very quickly because I made him a Peter Pan outfit out of green scoobies 😅
Cool to know some info about Ken that I didn't know. I didn't play Barbie because I am older than Barbie and it took until adulthood to find the fun ... and the articulated bodies. I love Ken, because all my Barbies need a Ken! Thanks for a fun and informative video.
I have a brother to thank for the lack of Kens in my collection. I saw the Earring Magic as matching Barbie like he usually did for sets. I did not know about the online factor with Blaine and Ken. I did read the backpedal response of "We wanted introduce Blaine's sister Summer." (Then just make her a new friend!) I do have Generation Girl Blaine cause of the musician aspect. Thanks for another informative video. ❤
My favorite Kens are from the Harley Davidson line. There were 3 of them and the 2nd one has a really detailed outfit and actually has painted on chest hair! The 3rd one is simpler but has achiseled
Gosh, this was really fun and very interesting! Quite informative too. I'm a big Barbie doll collector and although I knew much of the information you presented, it was encouraging to see a younger collector appreciate the history of the Ken doll. This also reminded me of Ken dolls I need to add to my "wanted" list. Again, great job!
My first Ken was Malibu Ken in like 1977. But shortly after I got Superstar Ken and loved him. Western Ken from 1981 or so had a great black and white western outfit and brown hair and used the Superstar face mold. He was my favorite. I hated in 84 or so when they switched the face mold to look similar but the hair parted the other way. It is like when I see a photo of someone and know that it is backwards - everything just looks off. I had Sport and Shave, All Star, and Dream Date Kens. Hawaiian Ken that used the mod head mold was really cute. I had him too.
I have a superstar Ken. Just one because ya, he's not so cute but he's the one I grew up with so he's very nostalgic to me. However, I love all of the new Ken dolls out there, especially the Asian ones.
I’m 58 now and played with Barbies well past childhood 😊I had the OG Barbie and OG Ken with brunette flocked hair! My favs were the quick curl Kelly (she had curled auburn hair like me) and the Mod Hair Ken. These days I have three International Barbies displayed: Egyptian Queen, Moroccan, and Romany Barbie. I’m a belly dance instructor so they are working the theme for me ❤
When I first saw a Magic Earring Ken, I could not stop laughing. I couldn’t decide which was funnier: that Mattel had no idea, or that they did and tried to fly it under the radar. (And yes, we did call him “cock ring Ken.”) When I saw one in a discount bin, I bought it right away. He sits on my filing cabinet now.
im surprised you didnt touch on the dreamhouse series, i feel as thought that striped shirt himbo ken is what most teens and even millennials nowadays remember!
In the song 'Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now' from Hairspray, Amber has the lyric "Once upon a time I used to dress up Ken, but now that I'm a woman I like bigger men" and it made me think 'hang on, what year of the 60s is this set?' and it's 1962. So Amber is talking about just months ago
1997 Kens are still in my collection of old Barbies. Though I never noticed the sibling dynamic for Ken and Tommy, always paired them as dad and son…oh well, 5 year old me couldn’t read yet.
Thanks for yet another fun, informative Barbie video. Your comments and storytelling makes me appreciate Ken more. I'm glad that you share your love of Barbie, Ken, and friends online.
I had the first talking Ken from 1970, so he’s my favorite! I found a fully dressed Blaine last week at Goodwill, and he is quite a looker! The latest Ken face is a good one, I’m just so disappointed with the lack of articulation in most of the dolls made now.
Thanks to your video, I realised my first Ken doll (at least, the one I can remember) had Allan's face mold. It was a camping Ken. As a child, I thought (and still think) it's a very handsome mold.
I think the reason why Barbie and Ken aren’t a couple atm in the blog episodes is cause they’re making Barbie be more like a actual teenage girl. In real life you don’t get an so right away. It takes time and Barbie is also like most teens in that she’s nervous to take that big leap in a relationship that goes beyond friends. She needs to get that courage to confess and just hasn’t gotten it yet.
My Barbie was married to The Six Million Dollar Man. I am 56 and I still have him with his engine, both computer parts in his arm, with the original plastic that covers it, his clothes and yes, both of his shoes. 😂
The way you tell the story is so cute. I love when it's close to turn to drama. You could've talked about Free moving Ken and Curtis as well. I've got Curtis ;-)
I love beauty in a box, what a great presentation of all the era so Barbie. I can think of so many missed options for Ken; Sugar Daddy Ken (think silver Fox vibe), Emo Ken and Barbie, Goth Ken and Barbie, Cross dressing Ken with fashion options and accessories. There used to be a craft of creating PC Barbie where she wore overalls, a butch crop haircut and armpit hair so where is our Hipster Ken. They can bring back all of Kens old gear to wear ironically. So much fan can be had with this.
Thank you so much for bringing back my childhood omg. I had some Ken from the earring magic era...? I don't think it was exactly that Ken but like a beach version with a gold mesh shirt 😂 and maybe lime green shorts? What I really loved about earring magic Barbie was that pink vinyl dress with the mesh sleeves. I absolutely loved it and reused for many years on many other Barbie dolls.
I thought your opinions were spot on. I loved the movie, my husband and I took our granddaughter and she loved it as well. I have pre-ordered it digitally when i xomes out so i can watch it again.
Dramatic path😂 I also have this Ken in black that you hold in video. Also Blaine as Dj in silver jacket, but I find his face expression little bit arrogant. I adore Ken’s shoes and collect it.
As a woman who was a little girl who VOTED for Blaine during the Cali Girl era I want to apologize to Ken I didn't mean to ruin his life I just thought Blaine had a cooler outfit
I'm sure ken forgives you XD they had a epic makeup after all. barbie got her ken in the end.
LMAOOOOOO
Also, Aussies are HOT so I don't blame you
I just wanted some drama for the Barbie universe. That's what happens growing up in a house where watching telenovelas was a staple from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Mon - Fri
for shame! had ken all up on billboards like “barbie, i want you back!” 😭🤣
Mustache = bad guy
Side burns = hero
😂😂
1970s in a nutshell
@@Alagborielthat was just such a weird characterization for the time period, considering that mustache was so popular during the 70s. So many well-loved men had that mustache then 🤨
Mario: *nervous sweating*
Maybe because of Pablo Escobar
Hans: 😳
As a little boy back then I remember asking my mom to buy me a Ken doll, I got tired with hotwheels and wanted to try a "boy doll" aside from GI Joe. He introduced me to the world of fashion dolls thanks to him 👱🏻♂️💙
SAAAAAAAAAAAAME 🥰
I have two older sisters whose Barbie dolls I used to sometimes play with.
I remember that since I was a child I liked Barbie a lot but since I knew that it would be impossible for my family to buy it for me, I wanted a Ken doll so much (they didn't buy it either) however when I was at university I indirectly fulfilled my wish because I gave my niece a gift Ken doll precisely the Concert Ken that appears in this video, curiously her male friends neighbors used it when they played with her.
Yes, same here. My first Ken was the Wet N Wild Ken doll.
@@clos4824 I got a vintage Ken doll today and he has the blonde hair on the head sculpt used for Animal Loving Ken, he comes with corduroy on his outfit.
I love that Ken used to have flocked hair and it would wear off eventually and honestly that’s the most realistic doll feature! Mattel should bring this back and call it “Hair Loss Ken!”
I too, had a blonde, flocked-hair, Ken that suffered from male pattern baldness. I colored his head with a brown crayon. (the yellow crayon didn't do the job).
@@p.foster28 haha that’s funny! I honestly think I would have loved a flocked hairstyle Ken growing up lol
He can shave his head and face at the same time 😂
The first Ken looks so adorable too
Now ultra-realistic, Ken ages with you! 😂
Childhood memory: I was at the religious girl's house and we were playing with her barbies. I needed Ken's clothes for Barbie, so I stripped him and tossed him back in the box. A few hours later, my mom gets a call from the other mom, *very* upset that Ken was naked. New rule that Ken couldn't be left naked. To this day my mom and I are still baffled. It's not like Ken has anything to show between his legs.
Ken has ruined my perspective on how men should be dressing and dating.😂😂😂
I had the opposite trauma go down. My religious friend showed me what sex was by smashing Barbie and ken’s crotches together rather aggressively. Her mother was a nurse so I think she had pretty early exposure to sex ed but I was thoroughly horrified by the entire reenactment haha
Should have glued a leaf there, Ken would be proper Bible representation so her mom couldn’t complain lol
@jol6573 yeah but the FCC gotta FCC not only in media, but people's homes too!😂
lol I remember I'd often leave a few of my Barbies that I didn't like as much naked while I used their clothes for my favorites. And even if I had extra clothes I'd still leave them naked just because I didn't play with them....
So… on that beach trip Ken definitely handled the Blaine problem 😂
Two went on a boat, one came back 👀
Maybe he somehow sent him back to Australia 😅
No Body No Crime- Taylor Swift 😂
Good for him, Blaine looked like a douche 👀
😂😂😂😂😂
My Barbie repeatedly cheated on Malibu Ken with kung-fu grip GI Joe. He always took her back. 😂
Funny thing - my Mom refused to buy me a Ken or GI Joe (for whatever reasons she had) SO I cut all the hair off of one of my Barbies and so my favorite Barbie had a “girlfriend” Barbie. Later on my Aunt would say I created the first Lesbian Barbie.
@@theyarngoeson 😍 omg that's hilarious.
Mine went out with the boys from 90210 and new kids on the block way more than Ken lmao.
My barbie was in a canon relationship with SpongeBob
my friend's barbie cheated with her brother's Max Steel xD
Hey Joey, you crack me up! I am 71 years old and had Barbie and Ken from 1961. My Ken was flocked and had brown hair. It was a Sears exclusive with brown hair very different from the black haired version. Keep up the interesting videos!
Wow! How nice ❤
That's awesome! I'm 67. I never had a Ken. I had a Titian Midge and my sister had a black bubble cut Barbie and that was it! In the 90s I bought my daughters and sons a couple dozen Babies lol.
I absolutely love how you tell the story of the characters with all the T and drama. Its like a soap oprea. Other barbie people dont do it like you do. The story building is amazing.
Agreed! So fun. ❤️
@@magdlynstrouble2036 right, im invested. Keep telling me the stories. The drama of it all. Lol
I agree. They should hire him to create (or recreate) the story of Barbie’s world either as a web show or on TV.
thats because Ken doesnt have a job hahahah better work boy
My mom and i are still team midge lol
Wow, I never realized how many shaving Kens there are. Lol I'm so glad that you mentioned Blaine and the drama that he brought to the Barbie world. That was an interesting era.
As a Ken fan, loved this history lesson! Small correction: the rooted Afro-haired Ken was actually the first black Mattel doll labeled as “Ken” (before that, they were Ken’s “friends” Brad and Curtis), and he came out in 1982. Also, FINALLY someone admits how hideous the 80’s Superstar Ken’s sculpts were! That was his low point, IMO…
Like why did this man look 40 in the 80? Lmaooo
As a child I always wanted to buy 2010's Ken Fashionistas cause they look stunning, The articulation, the Rooted Hair, everything looks so high quality but unfortunately my budget back then says no. Now as an adult I would say that 2010's Ken Fashionistas still remains my favorite era and Ryan particularly is so handsome for me lol! That's why I don't understand people who don't like to collect kens cause they look so cool
Omg yes, I grow up in this era of ken they still look great, I didn't own one as well sadly. Like you I I didn't have the budget as well so all of my kens are bootlegs but some of them actually look good.
I prefer the Ken sculpt they brought back for Toy Story 3.
Yes they were the best imo🥺
Fun fact : ken had that blaine face mold till 2010 in the barbie fashionistas and including barbie a fashion fairytale ken doll and the barbie in a mermaid tale doll and in the year 2011 he got his new face so he got the dates wrong but its fine everyone makes mistakes❤
Same, finally at that time ken got some decent articulation, and handsome face molds, cause the past ones had always some weird features, and the rooted hair actually looked good, with the new fashionistas they lost all of that but gained diversity, now only collector kens still kinda keep those details
My first thought when you showed Earring Magic Ken was "He looks like Billy Idol" lol
I love how the first thing they implied of Ken with a mustache is "HE'S A BAD GUY!"
Don’t forget the hero sideburns!😂
I don't really care what Ken looks like anymore, tbh. As long as he remains that adorable, secretly genius doofus who loves his girl and is nice to everyone, he can stay.
after watching the Barbie movie…he did not let me just say that 😂
I love that you dressed up as earring magic Ken for pride! This year the carnival theme in Provincetown, MA is toys and I can’t wait to see what people come up with!
Since Mattel seems obsessed with Ken shaving through the years, I can't wait till they introduce Manscaping Ken, Giving Magic Earring Ken (my personal fave) a run for his money! Cheers, Joey, love your videos.
I never had the Earring Magic Ken, but I have "Pierced" the ear of 2 of my Ken dolls.
A Ken with body hair would be interesting with their new body diversity direction, though it would certainly receive a tidal wave of backlash.
@@starthelotus3453 No. I don't like Body hair on men. I wouldn't want it on Ken.
@@julieletford5695 I do like a guy with a some hair personally (like Henry Cavill), but idk if it would really fit the aesthetic of Barbie.
OMG, loved the picture of you dressed up as Earring Magic Ken! Well done!
We need to see more sexy pics of Daddy Joey.
Is it weird that I think Barbie looks too old for Ken in the later stages? They gave Ken such a charming, youthful face, and then Barbie still looks fabulous, but the vibe just comes off a bit more mature.
They definetly always had Barbie looking older, especially in her earlier years. That's why I never took it seriously when they would say she was a "teen", I was like teen model where?! THAT'S A GROWN WOMAN!
That’s so weird, because I always thought Barbie looked around 20 and Ken looked closer to 40
I think the 80-90s Ken looks so much older than Barbie but now the new Ken looks more youthful.
so? if they are both supposed to be consenting adults, who cares!!
yeah ken looks like a teen boy
I was talking to my boyfriend about this video, especially the parts with Ken's little brother Tommy and Barbie's other boyfriend Blaine.
He said "strange that every male close to Ken dissappears... " 👀☠️
I had the 97 Big Brother Ken doll with Tommy. That's my favorite Ken face sculpt. The 2010s one looks kinda like Zack Efron lol not bad but definitely younger looking.
i love that Ken was essentially made to be an ~*accessory*~ to Barbie 😂
I think "sidekick" is another nice word.😄
I don't get why people say that, I mean I quite do but almost every character in the Barbie brand was created to be something for her, and the ones that don't usually don't last long. Ken was her boyfriend, Midge her best friend, Skipper her sister, Francie her cousin, and the list goes on. Ken is literally the only one between her friends and family that was never discontinued and I think Mattel should treat him better I think Barbie and Ken have a lot in common with Ruth and Elliot Handler and Ruth used to care about both of them when she was in charge of the brand. Let me tell you a little bit about Barbie and Ken’s trajectory. In 1959, Barbie, which was inspired by the Bild Lilli doll, was released as a “Teenage Fashion Model doll by Mattel". In 1960 she was a fashion designer and that same year she got a fan club, The children at the fan club began to send letters to Mattel asking for a boyfriend or a husband for Barbie. Then, in 1961, the Ken doll, which was inspired by the actor Troy Donahue, was released as Barbie’s boyfriend. Around the same time, the album "Barbie Sings!" was released with 06 songs in which Barbie and Ken sang about each other so in 1961 they were both singers, and in that same year Barbie was a flight attendant, a nurse, and a ballerina. In 1962 she started to get books, The first was called "Stories about the Fabulous Barbie and Her Boyfriend Ken" They also got a comic book "Barbie and Ken Comic Magazine" and Jumbo Trading cards, and that year Ken was an airplane pilot, a doctor, a ballet dancer, and a baseball player and both were tennis players, that year they also were both able to drive since the first car in the Barbie line was released and was described as the car that Barbie and Ken could drive. In 1963 they were both "College Graduates". In 1965 they were both astronauts and she was also a teacher. In the 60s both would also be students and would have wedding sets and outfits. Ruth Handler had to walk out from Mattel around 1970 and a few years later Mattel began to put Ken more aside
Oh dear that 70s Ken cracked me up so hard 😂...be the villain, add a moustache! I wonder what Magnum has to say about that...
I love how the mustache = bad guy and side burns = hero in the commersial.
Omg, I still have the cool school Ken and photographer Ken. I bought two years ago the new Cool Shape Ken, the new soccer Ken and Ken Looks #18 arrive today.
My mom thought Beach Fun Ken's head came off and went back on so she let me take him into the bath and then ripped off his head to dump out the water. Needless to say, that head was not meant to come off and I had a headless Ken doll for many years until my brother figured out how to glue it back on. That was a core memory.
🎵I'm just Ken! Anywhere else I'd be a ten!"🎶
14:13 saying "it was a very tense time " in context of this video topic is so hilarious 😆
The Cali Girl Ken (saying that is actually hilarious) looks a lot like you! He's gorgeous!
I love the early 60s Ken with red swim trunks,red and and white shirt and dark brown Frankie Avalon hair. Soooo dreamy! 🥰
My first Ken was Movie Date Ken from 2000. Such a handsome doll with probably one of the best rooted hairstyles I’ve seen on a Ken. I still have him, carefully placed in a bin full of a bunch of other Kens I’ve collected throughout the years (my current place is too small to display my doll collection). But he’s a part of my favorite era of Kens; the late 90’s-early 00’s. I liked his more down-to-earth looks and muted palette, which made him seem like a friendly guy’s guy. The newer Ken is too manicured and twink-like.
I’m 59 and love your videos 😂! I had the super 70s Mod Hair Ken and still have him! Ken and Barbie might just be friends now but when me and my girlfriends played with them, we always had them “doing it”! 🤣
I’m desperate for someone to do a history of Barbie’s siblings. She’s had several and some have mysteriously disappeared. Poor Todd…
Then again, there were the oodles of Ken dolls that were released to coinside with the Barbie dolls for the movies! I still remember getting a "Nutcracker/Prince Eric" Ken doll to pair with my "Clara" Barbie doll for Christmas '01 (I had got the "Clara" doll and the VHS of Barbie in the Nutcracker the week before on my birthday).
I had the Malibu Barbie and the 1978 Ken. I also had the Barbie Friendship and the Barbie Camper. It was so much fun. Barbie and Ken kissed A LOT. Lol
I got the Rollerblading Ken for my birthday in second grade because the only Ken that I had previously was my mom's old one from the late 60s and my brother gave him a sharpie beard.
I AM SO OBSESSED WITH THE LATE 90S/EARLY 2000S ERA THE FASHION IS SO PEAK
I love how Ken is handsome while being a house husband. Reverse gender role couples are my favourite
OMG!! I didn't knew that ken's dolls are SOOOOOO COOL
I only ever had the 1 Ken doll as a kid, so quite often he'd have a harem of girlfriends. I recently bought Barbie Looks Ken HJW85 and he is the most handsome Ken I've ever seen.
The tea was hot in the early 2000s 😂😂😮
I’m always happy when someone mentions the Generation Girl line
I laughed so much during this video, from the commercial of the stick on moustache Ken to the Blaine vs Ken shade 🤣 Joey is hilarious
I remember my older cousin having the mod Ken with the rooted hair and stick-on facial hair. I didn't realize at the time that Ken was no longer in production, which is one reason why I could get my mom to buy me one. I got a basic Robert Redford face sculpt one. I had maybe 3 other changes of clothes for him so he didn't get out much. Thank you for a fun little trip down memory lane.
i absolutely loooved playing with barbie’s as a kid. so, i guess not so surprisingly i reaaally enjoyed this video!! thank you, will have to check out your channel
My mom had one of the very first Ken dolls back in the 60s. As a child in the 90s I used to play with my Mom's Ken .I made him the dad of my Ken
Also. my mom's Ken had a massive bald patch on top of his head. No wonder I made him the Dad of my Ken 😂
I only had day-to-night ken...and he really got around,I had about eight Barbie's so it was a wild time at the dream cottage!!
As you talk about the 2005 relaunch of Ken I can't help but notice that he resembles YOU!! Ironically with a face sculpt you're not a fan of. Check out 12:35!
I was thinking the same thing!
😂 I noticed it too
14:51 that bottom right "Ken" I immediately was like, "TODRICK HALL???"
I’ve wanted a cockring- I mean earring magic Ken for years tbh. And I don’t even collect dolls 😅
The only Ken doll I ever had was Nutcracker Ken/Prince Eric. I lost his clothes very quickly because I made him a Peter Pan outfit out of green scoobies 😅
My sons name is Blaine. I loved the earring magic ken. My son wants the new Ryan Gosling Ken . Awesome video. So much nostalgia.
Mustaches 🥸= BAD guy , Side burns = HERO ?!?!? Ahaha😂!
Cool to know some info about Ken that I didn't know. I didn't play Barbie because I am older than Barbie and it took until adulthood to find the fun ... and the articulated bodies. I love Ken, because all my Barbies need a Ken! Thanks for a fun and informative video.
I have a brother to thank for the lack of Kens in my collection. I saw the Earring Magic as matching Barbie like he usually did for sets. I did not know about the online factor with Blaine and Ken. I did read the backpedal response of "We wanted introduce Blaine's sister Summer." (Then just make her a new friend!) I do have Generation Girl Blaine cause of the musician aspect.
Thanks for another informative video. ❤
My favorite Kens are from the Harley Davidson line. There were 3 of them and the 2nd one has a really detailed outfit and actually has painted on chest hair! The 3rd one is simpler but has achiseled
Gosh, this was really fun and very interesting! Quite informative too. I'm a big Barbie doll collector and although I knew much of the information you presented, it was encouraging to see a younger collector appreciate the history of the Ken doll.
This also reminded me of Ken dolls I need to add to my "wanted" list.
Again, great job!
Ow my gosh, yes! Let's bring back Tommy!
My first Ken was Malibu Ken in like 1977. But shortly after I got Superstar Ken and loved him. Western Ken from 1981 or so had a great black and white western outfit and brown hair and used the Superstar face mold. He was my favorite. I hated in 84 or so when they switched the face mold to look similar but the hair parted the other way. It is like when I see a photo of someone and know that it is backwards - everything just looks off. I had Sport and Shave, All Star, and Dream Date Kens. Hawaiian Ken that used the mod head mold was really cute. I had him too.
I just got the outfit of Totally Hair Ken in a bag of Barbies in Goodwill. ❤😊
“Ken dolls of all shapes and sizes”
Ok, in that case, where’s my Dad Bod Ken? That’s what I want
In the interactive Netflix roadtrip special, you can get Ken to confess his feelings for Barbie and they kiss^^
I have a superstar Ken. Just one because ya, he's not so cute but he's the one I grew up with so he's very nostalgic to me. However, I love all of the new Ken dolls out there, especially the Asian ones.
I’m 58 now and played with Barbies well past childhood 😊I had the OG Barbie and OG Ken with brunette flocked hair! My favs were the quick curl Kelly (she had curled auburn hair like me) and the Mod Hair Ken. These days I have three International Barbies displayed: Egyptian Queen, Moroccan, and Romany Barbie. I’m a belly dance instructor so they are working the theme for me ❤
When I first saw a Magic Earring Ken, I could not stop laughing. I couldn’t decide which was funnier: that Mattel had no idea, or that they did and tried to fly it under the radar. (And yes, we did call him “cock ring Ken.”) When I saw one in a discount bin, I bought it right away. He sits on my filing cabinet now.
14:19 I HAD THAT SET FOR tHE LONGEST TIME! That Ken doll was my pride and joy fr, then I lost it at my grandmas house one day and never saw it again 😭
im surprised you didnt touch on the dreamhouse series, i feel as thought that striped shirt himbo ken is what most teens and even millennials nowadays remember!
Oh my 😂 the 70s ken with the stick on mustache is just awesome
Microdosing on your Videos until the Barbie movie comes and they’re all so much fun
Thank you for your Ken history! Loved it!
In the song 'Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now' from Hairspray, Amber has the lyric "Once upon a time I used to dress up Ken, but now that I'm a woman I like bigger men" and it made me think 'hang on, what year of the 60s is this set?' and it's 1962. So Amber is talking about just months ago
I still own my sun lovin Malibu barbie with her tan lines lol. She was the first Barbie I ever owned xx
1997 Kens are still in my collection of old Barbies.
Though I never noticed the sibling dynamic for Ken and Tommy, always paired them as dad and son…oh well, 5 year old me couldn’t read yet.
Thanks for yet another fun, informative Barbie video. Your comments and storytelling makes me appreciate Ken more. I'm glad that you share your love of Barbie, Ken, and friends online.
I had the first talking Ken from 1970, so he’s my favorite! I found a fully dressed Blaine last week at Goodwill, and he is quite a looker! The latest Ken face is a good one, I’m just so disappointed with the lack of articulation in most of the dolls made now.
Thanks to your video, I realised my first Ken doll (at least, the one I can remember) had Allan's face mold. It was a camping Ken. As a child, I thought (and still think) it's a very handsome mold.
The funny thing is that my childhood friend had a shaving Ken not even in this video xD so there are mooore out there!
I loved my 'Barbie and the Rockers ' Ken. I used to dress him in the Malibu swim trunks and called him 'Big Kahuna' because I was a stupid kid.
I'm actually going to Apple Jax Toys for my birthday shopping today and Im gonna buy some Ken dolls, I turn 31 on Sunday.
12:40 is it me or does the new "I'm Back" Ken look like Dawson from Dawson's Creek? The story line fits it too. 😁😉
I think the reason why Barbie and Ken aren’t a couple atm in the blog episodes is cause they’re making Barbie be more like a actual teenage girl. In real life you don’t get an so right away. It takes time and Barbie is also like most teens in that she’s nervous to take that big leap in a relationship that goes beyond friends. She needs to get that courage to confess and just hasn’t gotten it yet.
Omg.. I totally forgot about the cali girls, but it was my childhood, you've just reminded me about them now and I totally want them alllll 😩😩💘
my first Ken was doctor Ken and my first Tommy was that one with red and white stripes and blue trunks omgsh and had the photographer too!!
barbies favorite accessory hahaha obsessed!!!
So much shaving! Think I need the she said yes boxset now too - so cute 💋
My Barbie was married to The Six Million Dollar Man. I am 56 and I still have him with his engine, both computer parts in his arm, with the original plastic that covers it, his clothes and yes, both of his shoes. 😂
The way you tell the story is so cute. I love when it's close to turn to drama.
You could've talked about Free moving Ken and Curtis as well. I've got Curtis ;-)
I love beauty in a box, what a great presentation of all the era so Barbie. I can think of so many missed options for Ken; Sugar Daddy Ken (think silver Fox vibe), Emo Ken and Barbie, Goth Ken and Barbie, Cross dressing Ken with fashion options and accessories. There used to be a craft of creating PC Barbie where she wore overalls, a butch crop haircut and armpit hair so where is our Hipster Ken. They can bring back all of Kens old gear to wear ironically. So much fan can be had with this.
I love your history of Barbie things vids! Even though I lived through it since the 70s, love your telling of it.
I‘m not sure what I was thinking but it is just mindblowing for me how many awesome kens existed 💖
Thank you so much for bringing back my childhood omg. I had some Ken from the earring magic era...? I don't think it was exactly that Ken but like a beach version with a gold mesh shirt 😂 and maybe lime green shorts? What I really loved about earring magic Barbie was that pink vinyl dress with the mesh sleeves. I absolutely loved it and reused for many years on many other Barbie dolls.
I thought your opinions were spot on. I loved the movie, my husband and I took our granddaughter and she loved it as well. I have pre-ordered it digitally when i xomes out so i can watch it again.
You do have quite the talent for storytelling.!!!!!!!!😊
the drama of the Ken and Blaine dolls kills me. Also the amount of shaving Kens gagged me 🤣🤣🤣
Dramatic path😂 I also have this Ken in black that you hold in video. Also Blaine as Dj in silver jacket, but I find his face expression little bit arrogant. I adore Ken’s shoes and collect it.
love it! great video! ken for the win!
This was a great video! I had so many of these dolls growing up and to this day have some of the new ones too. Thanks for another great video.
Ok when I was a kid I loved Ken's windbreaker outfits! They hurt my eyes now, but the windbreakers were iconic.
I love your Ken-cosplay!
14:32 I remember having these just brought back sm nostalgia
Omg you looked amazing dressed as Earring Magic Ken!!!
Ken getting dumped for Blaine is the equivalent of Peter Parker getting dumped for Paul in the new Spider-Man comics.