Barbie & Ken reunion

In a press-release that could almost have been timed to coincide with Valentine's day, Mattel have revealed that Barbie and Ken are back together.

What do you mean, you didn't realise they'd broken up?

For those who've been living in a cave, in February 2004, after almost 43 years of being 'an item', Mattel announced the break-up of Barbie and Ken. As is usually the case there was a younger man involved, an Australian surfer dude called Blaine.

But Blaine is history. Ken has won Barbie back again and, unlike most men, he has changed! Gone are the beach-bum swimming trunks and T-shirts, Ken's wardrobe now contains a choice of cargo pants, a fitted suit with peak lapels and a trendily distressed faux-leather jacket. He's also indulged in some subtle cosmetic surgery, including a facial resculpting, giving him a more defined nose and a softer, more contemporary mouth. And (steady now ladies) he's now interested in Buddhism and enjoys cooking.

There have been a few uncharitable souls who've accused Mattel of desperation, including the resolutely unbiased Isaac Larian, chief executive of MGA Entertainment, manufacturer of Barbie's chief competition, Bratz. He recently declared the reunion of Barbie and Ken as 'nothing but stupid publicity'.

For a good article on the Barbie phenomenon, visit Brian Draper's LICC blog.
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