One of the iterations of Ken depicted in the movie is that of Earring Magic Ken from the early 1990s. This one caused controversy as the doll made people believe that Ken was gay. His story is documented in this video (Warning: May contain harsh language):
This was in the pre-Internet, pre-social media era, yet there were plenty of media remarks about the doll. The short-lived Chevy Chase Show on Fox and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno both made remarks about this Ken. (see Wikipedia article).
Around the same time as the Earring Magic dolls, Mattel produced a line based on the hit TV show Beverly Hills 90210. The Dylan doll in this series was made with a single pierced ear, but received none of the negative publicity that Earring Magic Ken faced.
Earring Magic Ken has since been a sought-after doll by collectors as well as a gay community icon.
8 comments:
Gay Ken! Now this is one doll I remember very well from its 15 minutes of fame!
Ken I remember though I don't think I ever heard about 'gay' Ken.
Left ear meant hetero...
I never did learn which ear meant gay and which meant straight. I imagine that was always a made up thing.
I bet Earring Magic Ken would make the same fuss now too, at least with some people. I haven't heard of this Barbie. Have a super weekend. hugs-Erika
People like to see what they want to -- who didn't have a weird piercing in the 90s? Makes sense that Ken had one too.
Ronel visiting for E: My Languishing TBR: E
Gargoyles
This is hysterical!
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Didn't know anything about this. Barbie's story is really more complex than I imagined.
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