When news came out that Mattel was issuing a limited edition set of Mad Men Barbie figures at $75 a pop, I had two main reactions. The first was this is the end of the show as we know it, a sign of the apocalypse. The second was, when do they go on sale?
The dolls do seem like a brilliant, and yes, even mad, marketing move. Don Draper, for one, would surely approve. After all, the show's focus on 1960s design and Barbie's personification of the time work perfectly together.
It also raised the question of whether more shows will jump on the toy bandwagon. According to industry insiders, here are a few other products currently in development.
The Jack Bauer/24 Home Waterboarding Kit
Enhanced interrogation techniques? They're not just for Dick Cheney anymore—not when you can bring all the fun of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo home. Take your Truth or Dare game to a whole new level of will they or won't they with this five-piece kit. Or force confessions and spark political debate at your next party. Free how-to DVD and bonfire-ready copy of the Geneva Conventions with each purchase.
Beet It! Special FarmVille Dwight Schrute iPhone Application
Your goal? Just like The Office's favorite salesman/farmer you want to grow the biggest beet in all of Pennsylvania. And use a crossbow or any other weapons in your vast arsenal to take out trespassers on the family farm.
The Big Love Mix and Match Polygamy Playhouse
Talk about playing house! Which wife is Bill sleeping with tonight? And who is going to make dinner? Move the authentic-looking action figures between the houses and plan out a week's worth of activities in the extended Henrickson household on an enormous dry erase board. Or dream big and add a new house when Bill marries his fourth wife. No longer a beginner? Then be sure to pick up the special edition Juniper Creek expandable version.
Mr. Tommy's Wild Ride Rescue Me Fire Engine
"Come on, come on" aboard with Tommy Gavin and New York's finest when you take this pedal-powered fire engine out for a spin. Authentic NYFD detail, including a bent axle and asymmetrical wheels to help simulate Tommy's unstable frame of mind. It's a whole new way to catch fire with Rescue Me. Shot glasses not included.
Operation: The Dexter Version
Who put the graphic in computer game graphics? It's none other than blood spatter expert Dexter Morgan as the classic "goofy game for dopey doctors" gets remade into a chillingly realistic video game.
Monopoly: The Jack Donaghy Edition
Take it from the media mogul himself. "What's the point of owning Mediterranean Avenue if you can buy the whole Mediterranean?" This 30 Rock-inspired version of the classic board game certainly ups the stakes. "It's like the greed and avarice of Monopoly meets the global megalomania of Risk," says Donaghy. "Only there's no Kamchatka Avenue."
Glee Home Slushie Machine
Don't just watch Glee, taste it too! The machine has a built-in ice crusher and comes with four flavors: Kiwi Kurt, Cheerio Cherry, Rachel Berry's Very Berry, and That's How Sue Vitamin C's It Citrus Blend.






Comments (20)
I'm still waiting for "Funzo"!
glee home slushie machine
Hehehe. Operation: Dexter style.
the dolls are so cute!
great ideas! i would definitely buy monopoly: jack donaghy edition
I love the ideas that docspector came up with.
Lost and House
Those are some creepy dolls man...
Hahaha, yeee a slushie machine! :D Nomnomnom!
i want the slushie machine! how cool is that
I want that Glee slushie machine!!!
I would totally buy Monopoly: The Jack Donaghy Edition but not before reading Geis Cubes of coure
Oh so funny! That's one of the better articles I must say.
FDNY not NYFD... (Sorry)
LOL! 24 Home Waterboarding kit! Deliciously NOT P.C. and I love it!
docspector - I LOVE your ideas... Patent them fast, they would sell
Lol. This isn't TV but I saw a Twilight Edward figurine where they had covered him in glitter. And I mean covered. Took sparkling to a whole other level.
Heh Dexter
I love the Mad Men Barbies. I just wish that they looked a little bit more like the characters.
Your other ideas were pretty funny.
The "Clone Wars" home cloning kit. Now you can be in two places at once!
The "Greek" Kappa Tau house party kit. Contains 1 keg, 1 bag of Cheetos, and 300 condoms. (crickets sold separately.)
The "CSI" chalk outline fun set. 12 different colors of chalk!
The "MacGyver" make-anything play set. Three paper clips, a broken pen, 3 aluminum gum wrappers and a AA battery. Makes 8000 fun projects!
The NBC executives' "Down the Drain" game. Hire Conan O'Brien to do a show. Put on a program before his that nobody wants to watch. Blame Conan for low ratings. First player with no viewers left wins!