STORM2K

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/12/offbeat.barbie.breakup.ap/index.html

Couple 'will remain friends,' says Mattel

Thursday, February 12, 2004 Posted: 1:06 PM EST (1806 GMT)



Barbie stands alone in a Los Angeles, California, store. She and Ken have broken up, according to Mattel.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Just like J.Lo and Ben, the romance is over for Barbie and Ken.

After 43 years as one of the world's prettiest pairs, the perfect plastic couple is breaking up. The couple's "business manager," Russell Arons, vice president of marketing at Mattel, said that Barbie and Ken "feel it's time to spend some quality time -- apart."

"Like other celebrity couples, their Hollywood romance has come to an end," said Arons, who quickly added that the duo "will remain friends."

Arons denied that there was any truth to rumors that the breakup was linked to the Cali (as in California) Girl Barbie, arriving in stores now. To better reflect her single status, Cali Barbie will wear board shorts and a bikini top, metal hoop earrings, and have a deeper tan.

This new style already has attracted a new admirer, Blaine the Australian boogie boarder.

Barbie -- the most popular fashion doll in the world, according to toy maker Mattel -- met Ken on the set of a TV commercial in 1961, and they have been inseparable ever since.

Arons hinted Wednesday that the separation may be partially due to Ken's reluctance to getting married. All those bridal Barbie dolls in toy chests around the globe are really just examples of Barbie's wishful thinking, she explained.

Another possible factor is Barbie's career. The doll who was "born" Barbie Millicent Roberts in 1959 has been everything from a rock star to military medic, and she's currently marketed in more than 150 countries. According to Mattel, every second, three Barbie dolls are sold somewhere in the world.

So where does that leave Ken? Said Arons: "He will head for other waves."

Heard Ken was seen with G.I. Joe? and Barbie was seen out with Kelly

CaptinCrunch wrote:Heard Ken was seen with G.I. Joe? and Barbie was seen out with Kelly

*gasp!* But...but...but Joe's in the military! :o

Seriously...oh my gosh! I can't believe CNN stooped to writing an article about a romantic relationship between two inanimate objects.

Joe is merely taking advantage of the "don't ask, don't tell" doctrine within the Armed Forces. Ken, on the other hand, may just be trying to "redefine" himself.

As to Barbie, unspecified rumors abound that she's really looking for a Latino "muy macho hombre" driving a low-rider.

Alas, the boring, but steady, reliable, nondescript ken will be cast aside for someone more "exciting."
Happens all the time and it cuts both ways.

Not to worry. I suspect a new Ashton Kutcher doll will show up on Barbie's doorstep. Ken, as always, will be on the prowl trying to keep his youth.

In particular, he's awaiting the latest version of the Janet Jackson doll, complete, of course, with Mattel's "tear away" outfit.

azskyman wrote:Not to worry. I suspect a new Ashton Kutcher doll will show up on Barbie's doorstep. Ken, as always, will be on the prowl trying to keep his youth.

In particular, he's awaiting the latest version of the Janet Jackson doll, complete, of course, with Mattel's "tear away" outfit.

:o

Funny Stuff!

I heard of a Ken sighting at The Rainbow Bar. Guess it's time he finally came out of the closet....


but seriously, this is news? Sheesh... what are we going to find out about Raggedy Ann and Andy?

Ken will get over it. There's a lot of younger prettier new dolls out there. And they bend and move, and do things that Barbie never would.

furluvcats wrote:I heard of a Ken sighting at The Rainbow Bar. Guess it's time he finally came out of the closet....


but seriously, this is news? Sheesh... what are we going to find out about Raggedy Ann and Andy?

You didn't hear. Raggedy Ann had an abortion a few years back. It was a sad day in America.

And Andy, despondent over it, had himself recycled.

I'm washing him in his new incarnation as a bath towel as we speak.

Hey Bill...looking at our bath towels, I obviously got a piece of Andy too!

Isn't it reassuring to know that after your gone that your purpose can carry on?

It seems the timing was bad with Valentine's Day weekend approaching.

There's a Kennametal plant here in Roanoke Rapids and one time a fella who works at a plant where I used to be employed...made a comment that that's the place where they make Ken dolls out of metal!

Eric

If I remember correctly, Raggedy Ann & Andy are brother and sister, which makes a couple of these posts kind of disturbing.

Bunch wrote:If I remember correctly, Raggedy Ann & Andy are brother and sister, which makes a couple of these posts kind of disturbing.

ROFLMBO!!!

Bunch wrote:If I remember correctly, Raggedy Ann & Andy are brother and sister, which makes a couple of these posts kind of disturbing.

Wonder if Raggedy Ann & Andy are from Colorado City, Az....home of the largest Polygamist community in the nation?

Dennis

I thought I saw a picture of them in line at the Charleston, WV town hall. They figured if men and women could get married in CA, they would start a new trend in WV.

I had no clue they were brother and sister...I only had a Raggedy Ann doll as a child, and she never told me her family history....