Talk:Ken (doll)

Earring Magic Ken
The claim that Earring Magic Ken was "stigmatized and removed from sale" because he resembled a homosexual man is a quasi-urban legend. True, the doll attracted a lot of attention and satirical comment, but he was simply intended to be a fashion conscious man of the time period concerned.--Ianmacm 14:02, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

I edited the phrase 'homosexual community' to be 'gay community'. In this context, I think 'gay' is a better word because it seems to imply the communitarian aspects of certain homosexuals. Not all homosexuals, or people withs same-sex attractions, are gay. However, most of the Ken enthusiasts actually are, well, gay.

Ken is Barbie's gay friend--If she wants a real man, get a GI Joe :P

--Insolectual 04:40, 25 October 2006 (UTC)

Article as of June 2008
It is hard to know where to begin when describing the shortcomings of the current version of the article. It contains far too much personal opinion and is way outside good Wikipedia writing style. This article has been an unloved ugly duckling for some time now, and could benefit from a major cleanup. -- ♦Ian Ma c M♦  (talk to me) 05:46, 12 June 2008 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:KenRockers.png
Image:KenRockers.png is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot (talk) 04:11, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Origin of name Ken
From popbitch issue 429 (08.01.09) Barbie and Ken were named after the kids of Mattel founders Ruth and Elliot Handler. Ken felt humiliated by this. He got married and had three kids but was a closeted gay and died of AIDS in 1994.

I don't know about quoting the end of that article (what do people think), but the fact he was named after the kid of Mattel founders might be of interest...Hrcolyer (talk) 17:54, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

Sugar Daddy Ken
In the first paragraph, someone listed one of Ken's occupations as "sugar daddy". But the article says that it's actually "Sugar's Daddy Ken". "Sugar" is the name of his dog, therefore the name is probably meant to be read like "Ken, Sugar's Daddy".

In any case, I don't think "sugar daddy" should be listed as one of Ken's occupations. - 71.141.126.124 (talk) 00:08, 2 July 2010 (UTC)

Requested move
moved. --RegentsPark (talk) 15:30, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

Ken (Barbie) → — Seems like a clearer and more natural disambiguator. Propaniac (talk) 15:57, 1 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. I agree.  Powers T 20:43, 1 September 2010 (UTC)


 * Support per nom. Ken is a doll, not a "Barbie" -- Mattinbgn (talk) 23:49, 5 September 2010 (UTC)

Ken's relationship to Barbie
The statement that Ken's relationship to Barbie has never been stated is not true. When he debuted in 1961 it said specifically on his box "HE'S BARBIE'S BOYFRIEND!" in capital letters as well as being introduced as her Boyfriend in the TV commercials of the time. In 2006 they broke up, but rekindled their romance on Valentine's Day 2011. They are dating but they have never been married despite the numerous Bride and Groom dolls.

Urrgghh (talk) 17:05, 15 August 2011 (UTC)

Unluckiest woman alive or just poor writing?
This article states: "Like Barbie, Ken is named after one of Ruth Handler's children, Ken Handler, who died in 1994 of a brain tumor." Did this woman have two (or even more) children who died of brain tumors? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.158.48.160 (talk) 12:47, 5 July 2018 (UTC)

External links modified
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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20130518084525/http://edition.cnn.com:80/2004/US/02/12/offbeat.barbie.breakup.ap to http://edition.cnn.com/2004/US/02/12/offbeat.barbie.breakup.ap/

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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20160106021304/http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/History/mattel_history.pdf to http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/History/mattel_history.pdf

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anatomically incorrect
69.114.252.233 (talk) 14:52, 21 October 2017 (UTC)The article mentions something obvious, but it could include (if any confirming research can be found), that he is more anatomically incorrect than the "unrealistic" Barbie. Based on my measurements, his head is huge and his feet are unrealistically small.

'Fashion' Doll
Do people really think Ken is a 'fashion' doll? I am going to remove 'fashion' from the description in the first sentence. Please discuss here if you have any issues with this. SyndicatedDrake (talk) 15:49, 26 August 2021 (UTC)

Cites.
I'm not seeing many citations here for the Ken doll claims being made. I will go through to add some templates that will hopefully get some attention from other toy editors. SyndicatedDrake (talk) 19:26, 23 November 2021 (UTC)
 * If you're seeing this, please help me cite this article! SyndicatedDrake (talk) 17:06, 3 December 2021 (UTC)

Middle name
Any source better than Buzzfeed for this one? It may be another Julius Pringles. 2A00:23C4:8083:B001:E55A:209E:A2B3:DDBA (talk) 09:27, 13 April 2023 (UTC)


 * @2A00:23C4:8083:B001:E55A:209E:A2B3:DDBA Yep.
 * https://time.com/6296386/barbie-ken-history/
 * https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/antiques-collectibles/hes-more-than-just-ken-barbies-boyfriend-has-his-own-value
 * https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a44285254/the-history-of-ken-barbie/ Strugglehouse (talk) 16:14, 26 July 2023 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 22:53, 24 May 2023 (UTC)
 * "Saturday Night Date" Ken - 1961.jpg

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 23:53, 24 May 2023 (UTC)
 * Vintage Twist n' Turn Barbie and Mod Hair Ken.jpg

"Beach" is not a job
There were repeated edits to this article claiming Ken's most recent job was "beach", in the 2023 Barbie movie. Although I have not seen the film, it is possible in some capacity that Ken takes on qualities of a beach as a job, for instance if he were magically transformed into an animate, living beach. However, if this is true and "beach" is put in the article as a job, there should be a brief explanation so the article provides useful information to the reader, rather than a non sequitur. 205.178.124.171 (talk) 14:32, 23 July 2023 (UTC)


 * @205.178.124.171 "Beach" is referenced in the article, and yes, this is what his job is in the film. Strugglehouse (talk) 13:46, 26 July 2023 (UTC)

Izzy Carson does not exist as a doll, there may be other fan-made characters in his article
Under Ken's family in the infobox, it says that one of his family members is 'Izzy Carson' - it appears this character is a fan character made up by someone called Barbie Grace. I didn't check the other characters beyond knowing Tommy is real. This may need extra fact-checking. 216.36.165.169 (talk) 16:23, 29 June 2024 (UTC)