In this episode, Josh and Chuck explore the history, cultural impact and feminist ire raised by the Barbie doll. The boys are joined by Gordon Javna, the founder of the Bathroom Readers' Institute and publisher of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader.
AI Summary
This Stuff You Should Know episode dives deep into the fascinating history and cultural impact of Barbie, America's most famous doll. Josh and Chuck explore everything from Ruth Handler's revolutionary idea to create an adult fashion doll in the 1950s, to the ongoing controversies surrounding Barbie's body image, race relations, and feminist critiques. The hosts examine how this iconic toy has sparked decades of debate while becoming a billion-dollar empire, touching on everything from Barbie's many careers to Mattel's sometimes cringe-worthy marketing missteps along the way.
An Idiot Abroad
2010
★ 7.7
"follows the premiere of Idiot Abroad. Season three. — The hosts mention their TV show airs after this show on Science Channel"
— Josh
"I love Lucy's Santa Barbie — Mentioned as the most bizarre Barbie doll based on a specific 1956 episode of the show"
— Chuck
Overboard
1987
1h 52m
★ 6.8
"Overboard Goldie Hawn? — Another Goldie Hawn movie reference when discussing the Goldie Hawn Barbie"
— Josh
"There's Star Trek Barbie and Ken and Barbie's dressed as Lieutenant Uhura. — Mentioned as an example of themed Barbie dolls based on the TV series"
— Chuck
The Birds
1963
1h 59m
★ 7.5
"There is Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds Barbie — Referenced as an example of an unusual themed Barbie doll that looked like Tippi Hedren from the movie"
— Josh
The Exorcist
1973
2h 2m
★ 7.7
"Exorcist Barbie — Mentioned as one of the satirical art pieces created by Paul Hansen that led to Mattel suing him"
— Chuck
"Lisa versus Malibu Stacy. I remember that all this background based on Ruth Handler and Mattel Barbie — Referenced as a Simpsons episode that parodied the Barbie Liberation Organization story"
— Josh
"X-Files Barbie. That's a little strange. — Referenced as an unusual themed Barbie and Ken set dressed as Fox Mulder and Scully"
— Chuck
Wildcats
1986
1h 46m
★ 6.2
"Wildcats? Goldie Hawn? That was terrible. — Mentioned as a comparison when discussing which Goldie Hawn persona the Barbie was based on"
— Josh
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