Barbie & Me

[Boomer]

Barbie is turning 50 soon. She now has to wait only 5 years until she can buy her own place in TV. I have heard though that she has been spotted in The Villages, here and there, throughout the years. Probably a trophy wife. (Is this economy making anybody else wonder whatever will those trophy wives do now?) ... I digress.

Anyway, Barbie was the topic of today’s Diane Rehm Show, in a segment at 11:00, on NPR. That’s what got me started thinking about various Barbie issues that have come up in my life over the past 50 years.

As a young mom, I stood my ground. I refused to buy Barbie for my daughter Boomette. It was the 70’s. I had strong ideas about what girls needed to have planted in their minds for what the future should hold. And I did not believe that being Barbie was it. I saw Barbie as a possibly corrupting influence. And so Barbie was forbidden to enter our house.

Well, we all know how it goes with that forbidden stuff. Boomette found a way. Friends’ houses where Barbie was welcome. She later confessed. Playing with Barbie. In hiding. Oh well, at least they were not secretly smoking those Virginia Slims.

Boomette turned out fine. But she is sort of a slave to fashion. I finally bought Boomette her own Barbie. When she got her undergrad degree, I gave her Graduation Barbie.

Barbie has done some stupid things, like we all have. Remember when Teen Talk Barbie said, “Math is hard.” (I think she actually said, “Math class is tough.”) And it was the 90’s. Idiots! Whose head was where on that one? The phrase got yanked.

Barbie has had lots of different jobs. Boomette, of course, allowed my granddaughter to have her own Barbies. Teacher Barbie was one of them. She also had a Ken doll.

Doll dialogue can be fun to listen in on. My granddaughter and her friends were playing with Teacher Barbie and Co. It was the usual scene. Teacher Barbie in front of the rest of them. Teaching them stuff.

Suddenly Ken entered the imaginary classroom. Ken was wearing his tuxedo and his hair had been chopped up in places and looked wild. Ken walked over to Teacher Barbie, mumbled something, and then he turned and ran out of the room.

My granddaughter who was doing the dialogue for Teacher Barbie made Barbie say, “It’s OK kids. You won’t see much of him. We all know he’s crazy. That’s why we made him be the principal.” (I am just reporting. If you are out there, do not come after me.)

I just thought I would write a little something today about Barbie. We all know her. And many of us have opinions and stories about her I bet.

(I just tried to link the NPR show here, but it’s not up for listening on the site. It was not Diane Rehm doing the segment. It was a guest host. I cannot find that little “Listen To The Show Now” thing that I do so love to click on. I hope it shows up later. I missed part of it. And for those of you who might be interested, I wanted to pass it on. And there was some really juicy gossip about Barbie in it, too. Darn. Maybe later.)

Boomer

[uujudy]

Hahah! Boomer! So glad I found you! I am having a nutty time with TOTV. I'll have 5 pages of new posts (rubbing my hands with glee to warm up my typing fingers) and next thing I know there are only 8 new topics! Total! Not even a whole page of them, and 1/2 of them are political! Where did the other 4 pages go? Ay carumba!

Getting back to Barbie, it's hard to believe Barbie is turning 50. My first Barbie was the one with the attitude and the black & white striped bathing suit. She had that face, remember? Kind of a mad-at-the-world face.

I did let babygirl play with Barbies, but she always wanted to play Space Girl Barbie from Planet X-10. We're a spacey (space-ish?) family. We had the Barbie motorhome, which worked very well as the mother ship, and the Barbie corvette was the little fly-about vehicle for visiting nearby planets. Barbie the Pirate was also popular in our home, as was footless Barbie (after the dog gnawed off her foot). Babygirl designed a wonderful wheelchair for footless Barbie, complete with a large umbrella, drink holder, cooler, and a flip-up tray for her snacks and laptop computer. Barbie paved the way for lots of imaginative play, because what else was there for girls to play with? Baby dolls? Puhleeze! There sure weren't any female action figures! I think they (Mattel?) lost a huge market share when they insisted on staying with the "blondes are beautiful but dumb/math is hard" concept.

Thanks for the info & Klaatu barada nikto,
Judy

[another Linda]

My daughter wasn't that much into Barbies, but her brothers sure did some "interesting" things with her. I couldn't believe all my boys had learned at a very young age! Needless to say, Barbie made a quick exit from our house.

BTW, Boomer, I love the DH show. We have similar listening habits. I bet our cars have the same buttons programmed.

[Boomer]

Hi uu and aL,

Those Barbie stories are out there among us. I knew they would be. We are "of an age" you know. And, uu, I know exactly the "attitude face" you are talking about.

I just checked back to see if the show was up for listening to yet. Still not. And now I am wondering if they do that for every show. I hope you get to hear it. The gossip was great. One of the "experts" said that Barbie was actually based on a German comic book character who was a real hussy. It was a story I had never heard before. Even went into a few details. (tsk tsk)

I am going to put the link here. It shows the 11:00 segment with who was interviewed, but still no listening to it. And I did not see a transcript either. Maybe later. I hope.

http://wamu.org/programs/dr/

(When at the computer today, I got all into writing about Barbie while trying not to keep looking at the stock market.)

Boomer

[Whalen]

I sorta missed Barbie.
Just before she arrived on the scene my Mother and my Auntie El found the Revlon doll and My Fair Lady doll. Both had Boobs which was a subject of much giggling and "O my she's has ninnies (family euphanism for breasts)" discussions between my cousin Linda and me. Both had high fashion wardrobes for sale.
Hey remember doll clothes and those little suitcase like closets to keep them in?:laugh:

[KathieI]

My daughter wasn't that much into Barbies, but her brothers sure did some "interesting" things with her. I couldn't believe all my boys had learned at a very young age! Needless to say, Barbie made a quick exit from our house.

Linder, I'm so glad you stopped there in that story. Remember this is a PG rated site.... right Tony????

[Halle]

My memories of Barbie are actually of Midge. Midge was Barbies not so glamorous friend, that I received for Christmas when my older sister, whose name is Barbara received the Beautiful and Glamorous Barbie.:sad:

No, I"m not still hurt 45 years later that my Barbie was really a Midge described as Barbies plain friend. :cus:

I didn't like dolls before that and that pretty much sealed the deal. My favorite childhood toy was my Pogo Stick.

:pepper2::pepper2:

[sschuler1]

I remember my doll as "Bald Barbie" because I cut all the hair off of the doll. My mother wouldn't buy me another one...:sigh:

[Boomer]

My memories of Barbie are actually of Midge. Midge was Barbies not so glamorous friend, that I received for Christmas when my older sister, whose name is Barbara received the Beautiful and Glamorous Barbie.:sad:

No, I"m not still hurt 45 years later that my Barbie was really a Midge described as Barbies plain friend. :cus:

I didn't like dolls before that and that pretty much sealed the deal. My favorite childhood toy was my Pogo Stick.

:pepper2::pepper2:

Oh Halle,

I wonder if there is room on the roster of all those clubs in TV for those who still have issues over Barbie.

I remember Midge. Poor Halle. (psssst -- Did you ever think about cutting your sister's Barbie's hair all off?)

Boomer

[Boomer]

I remember my doll as "Bald Barbie" because I cut all the hair off of the doll. My mother wouldn't buy me another one...:sigh:

SS,

I just hit "send" for the post where I asked Halle if she had thought about doing that to her sister's Barbie. Oh No! You did it to yours!

You know, now that I think about it, it seems like that did happen a lot. I know other people who cut their own Barbie's hair all off. And now that I give it a little more thought, I bet there are cases where it might not have been so much a desire to give her a new "do" as it was a result of some deep-rooted hostility toward her and her long, blonde hair, and all that other stuff she has. (I bet a shrink could have a field day with Barbie issues.)

And why didn't Barbie age along with us. I bet there would be a Baby Boomer market for that. Maybe Hormone-Challenged Barbie. Hear her say colorful phrases. See her try to fit into last summer's Capri pants. All kinds of possibilities.

Boomer

[tony]

And all this time, until this very moment, I thought it was just a doll.

[Muncle]

Okay, as a single Airman in the 60's, some of my married friends thought it would be humorous to get me a Barbie and enroll me in the club that came with it. It was easy enough to give the doll to the daughter of a friend, but how do I live down mail calls for a year when I got my monthly copy of Barbie Talk magazine?

Speaking of Barbie aging with us, the following refers to the Kansas City area, but I'm sure every city had the equivalent:

Kansas City area Barbie Doll
Mattel recently announced the release of limited edition Barbie dolls for the KC Metroplex market:

Leawood Barbie-This princess Barbie is only sold at Town Center Mall. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, a Lexus SUV, a longhaired foreign lap-dog named Honey, and a cookie-cutter dream house with a lawn service. Available with or without tummy tuck and face-lift. Workaholic ex-husband Ken comes with a Porsche.

Overland Park Barbie-This modern-day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Windstar mini-van and matching gym suit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation or secondary education. Traffic-jamming cell phone sold separately. Can swear in English and Spanish. Available at Target.

Independence Barbie–This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, bowie knife, a’ 78 El Camino with dark tinted windows, and a meth lab kit. This model is only available after dark and can only be bought with cash,preferably small bills, unless you are a cop, then we don’t know what you are talking about.

Blue Valley Barbie–This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card set, and country club membership. Also available are Shallow Ken and Spanish-speaking Nanny.

Paola Barbie–This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a classic Metallica shirt, and Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. Wants to major in NASCAR at K-State. She has a six-pack of Coors Light and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken’s ass when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free. Available at Big Lots & Dollar General Stores.

Wyandotte County Barbie–This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased Beer-Gut Ken out of Paola Barbie’s (discontinued) house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, strawberry lip-gloss, and a see-through halter-top. Comes with Barbie’s dream doublewide trailer. Available at Wal-Mart Cheap.

The Grandview/Raytown Barbie–This collagen injected, rhinoplastic Barbie wears leopard print spandex and drinks cosmopolitans to new age music with friends at the lodge. Into crystals. Comes with Percocet prescription and botox. Also cheap.

Olathe Barbie–This Barbie now comes with a stroller, infant doll and Bible. Optional accessories include a G.E.D. and bus pass on the Jo. Gangsta Ken and his ‘79 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant. Available at any Christian bookstore.

Brookside Barbie–This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, archless feet, hairy armpits, no makeup, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her “Willow.” She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Brookside Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag sticker free.

Lenexa Barbie–Is pregnant, drives a new Ford Excursion, and is perfect in every way. We don’t know who Ken is because he’s always away hunting or in Japan on business. Lenexa Barbie aspires to become Leawood Barbie. Not cheap, but still very naive.

Waldo Barbie–Into football, animals and bonfires. 98% belong to a cult, 2% are free thinking and void of any “traditions.” Does nothing but complain about Plaza Barbie.

Argentine Barbie–This Spanish-speaking-only Barbie comes with a 1984 Toyota with expired temporary plates and three babies in the back, without car seats. This is the only Barbie willing to do manual labor. Ken comes in a meat-packer’s uniform and is missing three fingers on left hand. Green cards are not yet available for Argentine Barbie or Ken.

Plaza Barbie/Ken–This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or subtracting the “snap-on” parts. Likes to “experiment.” Doesn’t understand why Waldo Barbie complains so much.

Topeka Barbie–would come with a 97 Ford Taurus with an unpainted body kit and crappy stereo system. This Barbie is twice the size of all the other Barbies and has more tattoos than Topeka Ken. Ghetto braids optional. And she’s still white, but she doesn’t “know it”.

Lawrence Barbie–This doll comes with a royal blue “Muck Fizzou” t-shirt, 70 parking tickets, and $20k in student loans. She thinks PHIL 100 is deep and gets excited when “I take Women’s Studies To Meet Girls” Ken asks if she wants to go to The Ranch. (She has a sister, Lawrence Skipper, but Skipper long ago declared corporate Mattel evil and destroyed her own box in protest.)

Gardner Barbie- Has never been North of 95th Street and complains about going “all the way to Olathe”. Comes with her own bag of fireworks, ill fitting t-shirt/shorts combination and has been banned from all 4 of the Gardner bars. Comes with optional motorcycle and current boyfriend.




`

[chuckinca]

When you see the cart with Ken and Barbie on the front - it's really belongs to Chuck and Judy.

[Cassie325]

None of my Barbie's lasted more than a day out of the package...without getting a good hair cut. :girlneener:

I couldn't stand her...any one of her!!!
:rant-rave:

[Boomer]

Okay, as a single Airman in the 60's, some of my married friends thought it would be humorous to get me a Barbie and enroll me in the club that came with it. It was easy enough to give the doll to the daughter of a friend, but how do I live down mail calls for a year when I got my monthly copy of Barbie Talk magazine? ,,,,,
`

Munc,

I have never seen you, but somehow I can see you getting your Barbie Talk magazine at mail call, and the image is making me fall off this chair, laughing.

(And that thing about the Kansas City Barbies -- you're right. I think somebody sent me one once about Cincinnati Barbies.)

Boomer

[uujudy]

Oh man! Or in the words of Gracie Girl, Boy Howdy!

http://www.parentdish.com/2009/03/04/barbie-banned-in-west-virginia/

Our politicians in action. They have nothing better to do? And please don't make this out to be a political party thing. If our republicans in Utah hear about it, they'll jump on the bandwagon.

Muncle, I am still laughing at the thought of you getting your Barbie Talk magazine every month!

[Whalen]

Oh man! Or in the words of Gracie Girl, Boy Howdy!

http://www.parentdish.com/2009/03/04/barbie-banned-in-west-virginia/

Our politicians in action. They have nothing better to do? And please don't make this out to be a political party thing. If our republicans in Utah hear about it, they'll jump on the bandwagon.

Muncle, I am still laughing at the thought of you getting your Barbie Talk magazine every month!

:agree:
On both counts.:1rotfl:

[Halle]

Cougar Barbie!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjDmCEJokZs

:1rotfl:

[Whalen]

Cougar Barbie!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjDmCEJokZs

:1rotfl:

:1rotfl::1rotfl:


Back to packing:yuck:

[villages07]

And, now, we may have "Tramp Stamp" Barbie.... I saw a news segment this morning that showed a tattoo kit you can get with Barbie and apply Tats to her. How lovely.

[graciegirl]

And, now, we may have "Tramp Stamp" Barbie.... I saw a news segment this morning that showed a tattoo kit you can get with Barbie and apply Tats to her. How lovely.

Boy Howdy. I don't think I like that. I am so old that I just don't like tattoos at all. IN FACT, I was 19 when Barbie arrived on the planet. I had lots of baby dolls that I just adored.

Before Barbie, we all loved paper dolls that were movie stars with beautiful clothes.

[Boomer]

Banned Barbie! Cougar Barbie! Tramp Stamp Barbie! Oh My!

Her actual birthday is March 9 and I hear a big bash is planned. I read that she will be getting a new face. (probably not the first to get that for a 50th b'day present)

I wonder if anybody thought to get her signed to be the covergirl for AARP magazine.

Boomer

[Whalen]

Banned Barbie! Cougar Barbie! Tramp Stamp Barbie! Oh My!

Her actual birthday is March 9 and I hear a big bash is planned. I read that she will be getting a new face. (probably not the first to get that for a 50th b'day present)

I wonder if anybody thought to get her signed to be the covergirl for AARP magazine.

Boomer

Funny you should say that B is getting a new face.
Have a cousin, who shall ramain nameless, got a new face for her 50th and another cousin asked the age old ????
Why, she lives in Kansas.....think anyone cares?:shrug:

[JUREK]

And, now, we may have "Tramp Stamp" Barbie.... I saw a news segment this morning that showed a tattoo kit you can get with Barbie and apply Tats to her. How lovely.


Ever since Barbie found out there was some $500,000 in the stimulus package for TATTOO removal, what does she have to lose if she doesn't like it ??:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

[Reliancepeech]

I'm sure you have all seen her...matching golf outfit that matches the cart decor that matches the socks that match the shoes that match the hat.

You guessed it....it's VILLAGES BARBIE