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Has Mattel gone too far with their Palm Beach Sugar Daddy Ken doll?

I mean, it is absolutely hilarious - but would you ever actually buy it? Do you think it is in poor taste? http://bit.ly/3Dt695
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gno
gno
Marked as Best! October 31, 2009 02:07 AM
I don't think it's too far, because obviously this isn't a doll actually meant for little girls to play with (or boys either). This is a doll for adult collectors and people who want to decorate their cubicles. It's a humor gift, and nothing more. And I think it's clever! Mattel has found a way to expand their doll production, and get to play off the established "Barbie" name while bringing in a whole new group of consumers--adults!

I think any parent has to be smart enough (Oh dear god, I hope) to recognize that this isn't meant for kids (even if it's technically safe for kids). It's just like when Mattel made a Tippi Hedron doll from "The Birds". I don't think little girls were supposed to play Alfred Hitchcock games. These are Mommy's Barbies.

Fun!

http://www.geekologie.com/2008/12/16/birds%20barbie.jpg
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windowshop...
windowshop...
October 28, 2009 10:32 PM
Mattel is just playing "Follow the money" and taking a cue from E! Network. After all, Barbie looks more and more like a potential Playboy Bunny, a la The Girls Next Door and Palm Beach Sugar Daddy Ken could easily be based on Hugh Hefner - just add a silk robe and sturdy slippers. Is it in poor taste? I don't think little girls will even know or understand the nuances - they will simply cast this new Ken doll as "Grandpa" as they play. And adults? We'll smile and laugh at the inside joke, much as adults did when, as children, we watched the The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. I don't think there is any harm in this latest marketing ploy. Most people will laugh and there is no such thing as bad publicity.
Source(s):
http://www.mahalo.com/the-girls-next-door
http://www.mahalo.com/hugh-hefner
http://www.mahalo.com/the-rocky-and-bullwinkle-show
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dsaldridge
dsaldridge
October 29, 2009 02:20 PM
I believe it will bring up questions mothers don't want to have to answer. There will surely be little girls asking "what is a sugar daddy?" What would you tell your child in that instance?

I believe that it's just another way that morals of children are being compromised every day. Barbie has long been a sexist portrayal of man's perfect woman, so why is this a surprise? Barbie has always been a sugar baby...no husband, no job, yet a large house, fancy cars and clothes, so obviously she was being kept. Now we just know who has been keeping her.

Is there a "Cougar Barbie"? Seems that would be the next step down this road to immorality by Mattel.
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jkepler
jkepler
October 31, 2009 10:52 PM
I think it's great! I wouldn't buy it because I don't particularly want to own any doll, but I think it's in great taste! It's funny, but also an accurate representation. They should offer a yacht for him in the future.
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