Midge: The Controversial History Of Barbie's First Friend!

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ค. 2023
  • This video is made for ADULT doll collectors and gift givers. Viewer discretion is advised.
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ความคิดเห็น • 1.1K

  • @Itsgay2read
    @Itsgay2read ปีที่แล้ว +6199

    I always find it funny that pregnant Midge is so controversial and may "encourage teen pregnancy", but what about baby dolls? Those have been around longer than Barbie. Girls are already encouraged to want to have babies, it's just somehow the act of teaching how preganacy health works that seems to be their issue.

    • @elizabethclarke4981
      @elizabethclarke4981 ปีที่แล้ว +686

      Plus, motherhood should be represented and be treated with the same respect as women in careers, at least in my opinion it should

    • @kaykay3772
      @kaykay3772 ปีที่แล้ว +582

      Also, parents didn't even research and realize that Midge and Alan were married. 🤦🏻‍♀️

    • @batkat0
      @batkat0 ปีที่แล้ว +331

      It's also funny because those types usually ignore the things that actually contribute to teen pregnancy 😅

    • @memorian8472
      @memorian8472 ปีที่แล้ว +240

      That's soo true!! You're literally a toddler and your parents will be giving you a BABY DOLL that you have to feed with a bottle.

    • @kaykay3772
      @kaykay3772 ปีที่แล้ว +103

      @@memorian8472 They also came out with a baby doll that you could pretend to breastfeed.

  • @labyrinthgirl17
    @labyrinthgirl17 ปีที่แล้ว +1840

    My mom actually got me the pregnant Midge doll to teach me about pregnancy, and it worked. I'm 32 and have never had any pregnancies lol.
    I feel like the controversy came from kids asking questions, which made adults uncomfortable, so they made a stink about the doll.

    • @ophilianecr
      @ophilianecr ปีที่แล้ว +52

      😂 for a second I thought you meant that your mom taught you about pregnancy at 32, with the pregnant Midge!!🤣😂

    • @mermaidprettymuch
      @mermaidprettymuch ปีที่แล้ว +89

      EXACTLY! The selfishness of the parents being too uncomfortable and saying "Oh, let's just skip it. A manual for all of this will just download into their brains one day or something."

    • @labyrinthgirl17
      @labyrinthgirl17 ปีที่แล้ว +33

      OMG, sorry! I worded that poorly. My bad. xD
      No, she got it for me around the time it hit shelves, so I was either 12 or 13 (depending if it was before or after my birthday).
      I meant I learned well before I was even interested in sex, so I'm now 32 and haven't had any pregnancies because my mom educated me with the Midge doll.

    • @labyrinthgirl17
      @labyrinthgirl17 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think you're right. They think if they don't teach sex ed, kids won't have sex, but will magically know how to do it when married.
      As my mom would tell them, "If they're not taught, they'll just experiment and that's how accidents happen."

    • @ophilianecr
      @ophilianecr ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @labyrinthgirl17 oh I definitely understood the second time I read it. And it was my misinterpretation, not you. I just found the whole idea funny that at 32, anybodys mom would need a doll to explain sex. Lol

  • @kittymae335
    @kittymae335 ปีที่แล้ว +2615

    I love Midge. She's always had this kind of retro sitcom energy and I love that they leaned into that for Life in the Dreamhouse

    • @VenusTemple
      @VenusTemple ปีที่แล้ว +113

      I loved Midge in the Dreamhouse. I hope she's going to be similar in the live action.

    • @Deadhousep1ants
      @Deadhousep1ants ปีที่แล้ว +51

      Fr. Midge is one of my favs, mostly due to Life in the Dreamhouse

    • @skypaver989
      @skypaver989 ปีที่แล้ว +41

      Life in the Dreamhouse Midge is iconic, she inspired me to one day mearn macramei

    • @karnotik
      @karnotik ปีที่แล้ว +3

      She has Kate Segal energy

    • @vannerrrrrrrrr
      @vannerrrrrrrrr 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      ⁠@@VenusTemple Since I’m sure you’ve seen it by now, I was very disappointed on how they represented Midge they called her the “ discontinued” doll and barley showed her. Like pregnant midge isn’t the only one to exist, honestly I was so annoyed I have a midge doll from my mum (she was my mums favorite). And I’ve always related to Midge as someone who has red hair and not platinum blonde. 5:00

  • @historybuff7491
    @historybuff7491 ปีที่แล้ว +1961

    Pregnant Midge should not have been a controversy. She had been married...ie, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Midge pushing a baby carriage. I guess "mothers" don't want their kids to know there is such thing as pregnancy. Pregnant Midge is on my bucket list to collect.

    • @SnailSnail622
      @SnailSnail622 ปีที่แล้ว +117

      My older cousin had a pregnant Midge, and when I saw it as a kid, I was just like "oh, neat!" and moved on lol.

    • @agenttheater5
      @agenttheater5 ปีที่แล้ว +58

      now I'm just thinking of my 'happy family' barbie collection. The mum came with a removable pregnant belly as well as a baby barbie - her dress had enough room for the belly but still suited her when the 'pregnancy' was over.

    • @Lemoncatsf
      @Lemoncatsf ปีที่แล้ว +37

      I bought my daughters the pregnant Midge! My childhood Barbies were often pregnant with a Sunshine Doll baby stuck up their dresses so this was a dream doll for me 😂

    • @Meladjusted
      @Meladjusted ปีที่แล้ว

      Just manufactured rage from a Christian special interest group like One Million Moms or something, which isn't an actual grassroots movement made up of moms or whatever and instead a front for wealthy religious political lobbying groups.
      Whenever you hear about customers supposedly complaining about something that doesn't seem like it should be a big deal, really, it's almost always just a special interest group pretending to be a small community org made up of "just fed up citizens."
      Unfortunately, sometimes companies actually get intimidated by it and bend to their will, otherwise it'd be better to just ignore it completely as any attention is exactly what they're after; anything to keep the topic relevant.

    • @notamuggle8724
      @notamuggle8724 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      I’m pretty sure my friend stole my Midge’s belly when I was younger which I’m still mad about to this day lol

  • @bapsbaby6441
    @bapsbaby6441 ปีที่แล้ว +1027

    I also loved the contrast of Midge and Barbie of how Career driven Barbie is and how family oriented Midge is. I’m not saying Barbie isn’t for families or Midge isn’t for working but I’m saying it’s just a nice contrast between the two best friends and their different life goals.

    • @jellyfish0311
      @jellyfish0311 ปีที่แล้ว +153

      Yes I think it's very endearing. Having the wedding Midge and her pregnant version, if anything, encourages the kids to learn how to celebrate their friend's milestones instead of growing to be self centered all the time.

    • @katierasburn9571
      @katierasburn9571 ปีที่แล้ว +51

      Youre so right, and more than that it sorta shows girls hey you can do whichever you dont have to have a big career or raise a family you know? Man

    • @taniapalmeiro9607
      @taniapalmeiro9607 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      I have both! A family and a career. I'm probably the fusion between Barbie and Midge! 😂😂😂😂

    • @daelitecityride
      @daelitecityride 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      My bestie had a family and I didn't. We had so much fun hanging(fam and all). She was older than me. It didn't make me want a family as a teen. Dolls are just that, a toy. Playing the game LIFE, didn't make me want kids either(a car maybe). 😁

  • @miciarokiri5182
    @miciarokiri5182 ปีที่แล้ว +622

    They did not add the ring after changer her, I have the one with the prego belly and she has the painted-on ring. You want to know what "encourages teen pregnancy"? NOT TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT BABIES AND PREGNANCY!!!!!

    • @elisakrivas
      @elisakrivas ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Yes, I had the pregnant one and she still had a ring

    • @linasayshush
      @linasayshush ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah, me too.

    • @anniesama5729
      @anniesama5729 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I thought the original has the ring too! If they didn't have the ring, the complaints would be kinda valid, especially once the box was gone and it was just a ringless preggo doll.

    • @Author.Noelle.Alexandria
      @Author.Noelle.Alexandria ปีที่แล้ว +13

      EXACTLY!! People who are too immature to talk to their kids about these things aren’t mature enough to be parents.

    • @lindsey4178
      @lindsey4178 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      lol...I think this whole controversy is silly. My youngest daughter, age 7, has really been getting into barbie. She was specifically asking for a pregnant doll and baby all last year and LET ME TELL YOU, it wasn't easy for Christmas last year. Lol. I couldn't get my hands on an actual "Barbie" brand but I found a fantastic doll from another company that came with a pregnant doll, removable belly, partner, and tiny baby. She was thrilled! And guess what! My daughter hasn't once yet given any indication that she wants a baby at 14. Lol. She knows where babies come from, she knows there are mommy's and daddy's, and she just wanted to be able to play out a family in her games. Very simple, very normal....and if anyone was wondering. The pregnant doll was a much better quality that I was expecting, I was impressed....dad on the other hand was obviously an afterthought though. He fell apart and was kinda funny looking to begin with. Lol

  • @themoonflowerfaerie
    @themoonflowerfaerie ปีที่แล้ว +718

    The complaints about her being pregnant are so stupid. She was married, and if you look at the bottom of the box, it shows her with Alan. How it could be encouraging teen pregnancy, I don't know. It shows a family and teaches kids a bit about where babies come from in a way. I think the kids weren't bothered, it was just the parents. Really big overreactions on the part of the parents, etc. I think. Midge had some really adorable dolls over time, and some of my favorites were from the 80s. Great video :)

    • @Rumade
      @Rumade ปีที่แล้ว +75

      I never ever thought of Barbie as a teenager when I was a child. I thought she was 26.

    • @justsomeguy898
      @justsomeguy898 ปีที่แล้ว +37

      @@Rumade fr, i only learned barbie wasn't 25-30 from this video 😭

    • @FernandoTorrera
      @FernandoTorrera ปีที่แล้ว +19

      It’s always the parents with no chill

    • @sunsinger7806
      @sunsinger7806 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Also funny that those parents thought teen pregnancies come from a desire to be pregnant.

    • @aff77141
      @aff77141 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Me, not having realized any of them with their 24000 sqft malibu dream houses and pink custom mustangs and 20 careers, were supposed to be teenagers at any point,

  • @serenitymeyer461
    @serenitymeyer461 ปีที่แล้ว +491

    I remember having the happy family Midge! I LOVED her! But my mom got caught up in the "controversy" and threatened to take her away. So i drew on a wedding ring (i had the original one without the ring) and had to promise that she would always be married when she had a baby in my games. 😂

    • @duckdodgers3574
      @duckdodgers3574 ปีที่แล้ว +144

      Threatned? Couldn't she just got you Alan and say "here, is her husband??

    • @ElmKyh
      @ElmKyh ปีที่แล้ว +48

      @@duckdodgers3574 yeah that's better

    • @TimidStorm
      @TimidStorm ปีที่แล้ว +36

      You should have just told them that Ken was the real father anyway! 😂

    • @ZannaZatanna1
      @ZannaZatanna1 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      ​@TimidStorm how scandalous!😂

    • @susanma4899
      @susanma4899 ปีที่แล้ว +27

      Luckily my mom never knew that my dolls were swingers and moonlighted at a strip club. I'm not kidding.

  • @DarkMasterofCupcakes
    @DarkMasterofCupcakes ปีที่แล้ว +394

    I always found the controversy with the pregnant Midge thing so weird because, even as a kid when those dolls came out, I assumed that Barbie and all those dolls were adults? Heck, for the longest time, because I'd mostly just gotten hand-me-downs from my older sister and never saw the boxes, my assumption was that Kelly (later Chelsea) and Krissy were Barbie and Ken's kids, so I didn't think twice about the whole thing of the line with Midge and her family, or her being pregnant.

    • @maggiesmith856
      @maggiesmith856 ปีที่แล้ว

      You should watch Sam & Mickey's Barbie videos. Skipper,Stacie, Chelsea and Chrissy are Ken and Barbie's daughters. Barbie pretends they are her sisters so as not to ruin her Good Girl image. She's also an alcholic sex addict.

    • @ZannaZatanna1
      @ZannaZatanna1 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      wait, they changed Kelly's name?? first I'm hearing of this!😊

    • @GlitterRain15
      @GlitterRain15 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@ZannaZatanna1they changed it to Chelsea cause (I believe it was somewhere in Europe) in some areas the name Kelly was already trademarked for a doll so they wanted to have a name they could use globally

    • @kellynn739
      @kellynn739 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Same here. Plus I think a lot of us made our Barbies pregnant with cotton balls and bouncy balls. Kids aren't stupid.

    • @rhondabitler5474
      @rhondabitler5474 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      My sister's and I folded our cloth headbands and stuff our Barbie and Midge dolls outfits to appear pregnant. This was way back in the sixties. We were ahead of the time.​@@kellynn739

  • @everglowblink9805
    @everglowblink9805 ปีที่แล้ว +475

    I had the pregnant Midge doll (I no longer have it), but I loved it. My mom bought it for me and I guess she didn't see the controversy behind the doll.

    • @dearest-tulip
      @dearest-tulip ปีที่แล้ว +38

      your mom was intelligent.

    • @missmeagan8117
      @missmeagan8117 ปีที่แล้ว +49

      I had one too! My mom knew of the controversy but thought it was silly because Midge clearly was an adult with a husband lol. She also thought the grandparent set was cute! That was definitely my favorite collection

    • @jasperspearl2768
      @jasperspearl2768 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I had it too. It was one of my favorite barbies.

  • @memo4970
    @memo4970 ปีที่แล้ว +531

    There’s like a subtle authenticity about Midge that makes her stand out (maybe it’s her features, or the unique color of her hair) I mean, it’s nice that they include her from time to time, but she’s definitely underrated, & deserves a bigger spot in the doll world, I would think.

    • @kenthuang436
      @kenthuang436 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      The Diva face I think was the perfect one for Midge and she should have used it for all of her dolls after the California Dream line.

    • @Sarcasticron
      @Sarcasticron ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm not into Barbies, but the movie was great! Now I'm intrigued. I would watch a Greta Gerwig movie about Midge.

    • @Mimi-jl5ci
      @Mimi-jl5ci 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I think they’ll need to give her a more modern name though

  • @stellarsteph7
    @stellarsteph7 ปีที่แล้ว +134

    I remember when pregnant Midge came out and I wanted her SO BADLY! I was obsessed with the fact that she could be both pregnant and not. It brought a level of physical realism and versatility that I hadn't seen before from Barbies. So I was SO excited when the Barbie movie referenced that version of Midge!! I hope she's in the movie, even a small cameo.

    • @ZannaZatanna1
      @ZannaZatanna1 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Schrodinger's Barbie, haha

    • @nicoleb695
      @nicoleb695 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I absolutely wanted one too when I saw it. It's been stuck in my head for years!

  • @haileymaurer122
    @haileymaurer122 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    I love how pregnant mom-to-be Midge was shocking, but wedding day lacy Barbie lingerie didn't make waves. Great video and a romp through nostalgia.

  • @GUAGA0612
    @GUAGA0612 ปีที่แล้ว +663

    You should totally do a video on Teresa, nikki/Christie, summer and raquelle throughout the years

    • @alejandromolinac
      @alejandromolinac ปีที่แล้ว +43

      For some reason…. I have become enamoured with late 90’s and early 2000’s Teresa….. she’s the doll I have been purchasing

    • @hannahlamagna
      @hannahlamagna ปีที่แล้ว +5

      omg yesss

    • @finland4ever55
      @finland4ever55 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      Kira, also Barbie's miscellaneous friends in other lines. Maybe even Barbie's foreign friends, as she's had several friends only released in Brazil, Mexico, and Japan.

    • @kumachan9311
      @kumachan9311 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Love the 55th Anniversary Christine doll [that's just out]

    • @GUAGA0612
      @GUAGA0612 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@alejandromolinac Teresa within that era is stunning

  • @definitelynotskynet
    @definitelynotskynet ปีที่แล้ว +169

    That controversy with the pregnant doll is ridiculous. I was an actual teenager when it came out. I got the pregnant doll, but I didn’t get pregnant myself. I didn’t even play with dolls anymore I just thought it was super neat.
    Additionally, I always saw Barbie dolls as full adults. Especially since teen and child aged Barbie dolls exist.

    • @felicityhoneycutt8570
      @felicityhoneycutt8570 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      Nowadays we have actual toys made for shitting so that's wild

  • @memorian8472
    @memorian8472 ปีที่แล้ว +106

    I remeber being so confused during the Prego-Midge controversy as a kid. Since she was clearly an adult. Even my mom wanted to get one of the dolls, she thought it was so cute (she always rolled her eyes at these controversies). She eventually did get me a "Krissy - Baby Layette" set.

  • @mila6589
    @mila6589 ปีที่แล้ว +116

    I remember the pregnant Midge doll, my friend had one and used to take her to school... I don't know why (maybe because we were kids), but we would laugh so hard of the baby coming out of the removable belly, the belly was so weird. And if people thought it would encourage teen pregnancy, it worked the other way for us, till this day all our friend group from that time don't have any kids haha

  • @whowantswaffles
    @whowantswaffles ปีที่แล้ว +139

    "No no we want our kids to play with baby dolls, but we don't want them to think about where they came from!" 😂

    • @clairethompson5549
      @clairethompson5549 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      every Good Little Child ™️ knows the stork brings them!

  • @jeannel3207
    @jeannel3207 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    Can I just say that I love the first Alan doll? I tend to be very picky with male dolls, they often evoke some kind of uncanny valley I can't quite explain, but the 60s Alan doll is so cute!

  • @RosieG9012
    @RosieG9012 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    “You cannot be a teenager and a doctor.” Doogie Howser would beg to differ lol

  • @SailorMoonFan92
    @SailorMoonFan92 ปีที่แล้ว +118

    Nice to see Midge get some attention. After Life in the Dreamhouse, Midge was given some new dolls in the Glam Luxe Style line and then she just got a vintage silkstone reproduction last month for her 60th and then the Barbie Rewind 'Schoolin' Around' doll from last year is also supposed to be her given she has red hair, freckles, green eyes and Steffie face mold.

    • @kenthuang436
      @kenthuang436 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I love the Midge dolls that have the Diva face. I think that particular face mold was the perfect one for her.

    • @OzmaOfOzz
      @OzmaOfOzz ปีที่แล้ว

      So glad someone mentioned the Steffie line.. I loved Steffie. I think she was more affordable too. I had a toddler from the Steffie line I think, she had a crib and everything .

  • @LifeOfTheAngels
    @LifeOfTheAngels ปีที่แล้ว +102

    The happy family line is so funny cus Mattel was basically the first doll company to make their own dolly universe 😭

    • @susanma4899
      @susanma4899 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      But wait, what about the Sunshine Family? Did they predate the happy family line? My sister and I both had Sunshine Families, the house, the dog, the cat, and the grandparents. Seems like the Sunshine Family was late 70s and happy family was much later, looks like early 90s.

    • @eerielakeerie
      @eerielakeerie ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@susanma4899 Happy Family was early 2000s actually - pregnant midge was 2003, and i had the grandparents playset in 2004. Sunshine Family was definitely a similar concept, as was the Heart Family in the 80s that Happy Family was based on. However, as far as I know, Happy Family was the first to actually have the characters age and stuff.

  • @cherokeenevin3763
    @cherokeenevin3763 ปีที่แล้ว +52

    My mom LOVED pregnant Midge! She had to buy it for me as soon as it came out, because she heard about the controversy and didn't want to miss her chance to buy pregnant Midge when it later got recalled. I still have Midge, and her magnetic belly, baby, crib, and all the little toys. I think she's worth about $100 now.

    • @ModeFin
      @ModeFin 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Sure the hell is you won

  • @sanspie029
    @sanspie029 ปีที่แล้ว +177

    Honestly, Allan looks better than ken. Same for Brad/Curtis (Christie’s boyfriend). You should definitely do a video on those guys.

    • @toykeyper8914
      @toykeyper8914 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Yes, Alan's face is much cuter than Ken for sure!

    • @duckdodgers3574
      @duckdodgers3574 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      He probably is going to make Allan video nextr year, for the anniversary.

    • @Rose-ws2ik
      @Rose-ws2ik ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I agree! I have a vintage Allan, but don’t really have any desire to get vintage ken 😂

    • @Mar-rs8uc
      @Mar-rs8uc ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Lets be honest ken was not that good looking, specially the plastic hair 😂 I only had one ken doll when I was a kid that had that plastic hair and I never really used it, I only starting playing with ken when I got the gel ken that had real hair, I think his face was also different but Im not sure

  • @dunkinnatalie
    @dunkinnatalie ปีที่แล้ว +44

    Midge really had a lingerie playset?! That's INSANE. But they're worried about a pregnant, married doll? Lol

  • @loverrlee
    @loverrlee ปีที่แล้ว +65

    But Midge WAS married to Alan. Duh. Also, I’m so thankful to my aunt for buying my cousin the original Midge and I will never forget my cousin showing me the doll and I actually got to play with her and her pregnant magnetic belly. And I just found out my cousin had her first baby! 🥰

  • @louc.6735
    @louc.6735 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    My favorites in the happy family line were the grandparents! I remember wishing that Mattel would release more older dolls because i loved having older characters in my Barbie games. I always thought it was sad my Barbies couldn't have parents or grandparents unless i pretended they were immortal witches, which i did.

  • @MaxMallard
    @MaxMallard ปีที่แล้ว +110

    Can't believe I never heard of Midge as a kid. I had no idea she existed until I watched Life in the Dreamhouse earlier this year.
    Though the fact that Midge went through a whole lifetime in playsets oddly supports my headcanon that Barbie is an ageless being with godlike qualities

    • @MaxMallard
      @MaxMallard ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @reneelynch710 bad news for you then, buddy

  • @tess9233
    @tess9233 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    we had the pregnant midge with the removable stomache growing up, I had no idea it was controversial! we ended up forgetting about all her pregnancy related items and pretended she was lindsay lohan lmao

  • @danilarsson8685
    @danilarsson8685 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    The controversy around pregnant Midge confuses TF out of me, because she'd obviously been married for several years before, and I remember having other pregnant "Barbie" type dolls as a kid in the 90s! How could anyone get upset over this???

  • @gingerdad127
    @gingerdad127 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    As a fellow ginger, I've always loved Midge, I've always found her to be the "wholesome" friend.
    Thanks for the video 🙌

  • @soofficiallybb
    @soofficiallybb ปีที่แล้ว +40

    Midge was one of my favorite Barbie friends. She was like the girl next door.

  • @arcticxabyss
    @arcticxabyss ปีที่แล้ว +50

    I remember having the midge happy family doll and her husband (I had the one with the magnetic stomach) and it didn't encourage me to want to become pregnant lol. also, it was nice to see midge have her own family.

  • @TheQueenOfDreams
    @TheQueenOfDreams ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I had a pregnant Midge doll in the 70’s but I remember her belly bump rotating inside of itself to reveal the baby, rather than being magnetic, and there was a flat belly panel that could then be snapped onto her postpartum body. I loved that doll so much, and was so sad when I lost the baby! Whoops! 😅

  • @ieatbookz
    @ieatbookz ปีที่แล้ว +6

    the happy family line was my absolute favorite as a kid. i always preferred to play with my dolls as if they were families and having a big range of doll ages/genders/looks was exactly what i wanted. i also liked the more practical clothing and realistic looking furniture and accessories that came with the sets.

  • @martamarinomexuto1326
    @martamarinomexuto1326 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    I had a Hawaiian Midge (she came with just a swimsuit) when I was a kid, and I still have her. She was one of my favourite dolls because she was so different to all my other Barbies.

  • @witchfroml4d
    @witchfroml4d ปีที่แล้ว +22

    I had the pregnant Midge doll and I loved it. I don't see how it was controversial, like it's really normal for kids to be curious about pregnancy and I felt like the Midge doll was a good way to educate kids and start conversations. Why not use Midge to explain to kids how pregnancy works? Felt like the controversy was only there because parents didn't feel comfortable talking to their kids about something that is completely natural, which is ironically the sort of thing that is going to lead to MORE teen pregnancies.

  • @imaginefun13
    @imaginefun13 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I don't remember too many of my dolls from childhood, but y'all KNOW I remember my pregnant barbie! I adored that doll!

  • @lauramiller6106
    @lauramiller6106 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    My older sister had all the original Barbies, which she passed down to me. Midge was always my favorite of that group. (Seriously, was the original Barbie supposed to be a teenages model? I remember her looking to be mid 30's.) Love your energy. Loved the video. I learned a lot.

    • @Author.Noelle.Alexandria
      @Author.Noelle.Alexandria ปีที่แล้ว

      The original Barbie was modeled after a German adult gag-gift call-girl doll named Lilli. Not a teen. 😂

  • @bethschreiber6107
    @bethschreiber6107 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    My youngest had almost the whole happy family line up. She even had the house. I always thought the controversy was silly.

  • @kitty1015
    @kitty1015 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    I think when Midge was pregnant she was maybe in her twenties. As before in her marriage she had short hair and when Family came, she had long hair. To maybe show us, that it was years, until she got pregnant. And atleast for me, she always seemed like that kind of person, who actually got life started earlier (like marriage, Family, a House and so on). Not to say, that's when Life starts, but to say that she seemed as if she was earlier than everybody else

  • @craftyoldlady
    @craftyoldlady ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I got my first Midge doll in 1963. She had red hair and freckles! I was 4 years old and I loved her so much!

  • @Thegaydollguy87
    @Thegaydollguy87 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    I have an original brunette midge with front facing eyes and freckles with her original swimsuit I bought her at an antique store for a reasonable price, I’ve got a few original outfits and a bunch of reproductions for her to wear, I take her everywhere with me I was t a fan of her until I picked her up and now I’m obsessed

    • @Author.Noelle.Alexandria
      @Author.Noelle.Alexandria ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I hope you really do take her with you everywhere. The thought of an adult loving a doll so much that they take the doll with them everywhere is heart-warming. Why should this sort of thing only be for kids? I take a stuffed fox with me on all my flights, and since I own up to it, no one thinks it’s strange. More people should carry things that make them happy.

  • @xXOpenYourHeart759Xx
    @xXOpenYourHeart759Xx ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I really wanted the pregnant Midge as a kid. I was sick of stuffing tissues in my Barbie’s clothes to make them look like they had pregnant bellies. They were having babies long before pregnant Midge was a thing. I was upset about the controversy as a kid because it made my chances of getting her more scarce. I also really wanted all of the baby furniture stuff for their houses.

  • @Skeksistential-crisis
    @Skeksistential-crisis ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I had the pregnant Midge doll when I was a kid and she was one of my favourites! I always thought she was so pretty with her hair colour and the purple dress

  • @BlUAbUElA
    @BlUAbUElA ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I just stumbled upon this.. I'm a kid of the 60's and my older sister had not only the Blonde Barbie in the zebra print bathing suit, but, her red headed freckled faced friend Midge..
    These dolls didn't have the bendable legs.. they were stiff and non posable.. but..wow.. the outfits were amazing!!
    Posable legs came later with my younger siblings and I remember them..
    "Clicking" their barbies legs back and forth so much, the plastic legs broke through and the little gears were something to behold 😅
    Thank you for the memories of the sweet and wonderful forgotten original Midge!!

    • @voluntaryismistheanswer
      @voluntaryismistheanswer ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The older cousins had all the cool stuff, do you remember the bathing suits that changed color when you got them wet? I thought it was magic

  • @SuperMonkeysocks
    @SuperMonkeysocks ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I was about 5 years old when Midge came out. I wanted a Barbie Doll for Christmas but for some reason my parents got me Midge instead. The red haired one. I was terribly disappointed with her because I didn't think she was nearly as pretty as Barbie. My mom told me years later she had chosen Midge because she had freckles just like me. Well, that was on of the things I hated about her. I sure wish I had kept her though. It would be so fun to have a somewhat rare doll.

    • @Author.Noelle.Alexandria
      @Author.Noelle.Alexandria ปีที่แล้ว

      Awwww, I love your parents’ reasoning though. I also hated my freckles.

  • @Jamaican19Girl
    @Jamaican19Girl ปีที่แล้ว +4

    My daughter was watching this with me, she just turned 5 this week. She was just screaming “I WANT THIS DOLL”😂 referring to the pregnant doll ❤

  • @pageantsmile
    @pageantsmile ปีที่แล้ว +7

    my mom thought the pregnancy controversy was so stupid when i was a kid, and i had like 5 pregnant midge dolls because i kept losing the belly piece and had to keep getting a whole new doll just for the belly lol. i had the entire happy family line as well, i loved it so much and wish i still had them all.

  • @romonaelrod7870
    @romonaelrod7870 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I think that the orignal Midge was a bit homely,but the other Midge dolls were beautiful. I had several of the Midge dolls that you showed and I love them. I don't have as many Midge dolls now,I would like to replace the ones that I used to have.

  • @dudette474
    @dudette474 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I had the happy family Midge when it first came out, and I always thought it was a cool concept and wished there was more like it! No idea she was a 'teen' until this video. She's always been my favorite doll. I'm a huge fan of freckles.

  • @sunnyquinn3888
    @sunnyquinn3888 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "Lifelike bendable legs" well, my knees do make a similar sound when I move them.

  • @elizabethslayton3534
    @elizabethslayton3534 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Dude so many people are going to want these older dolls once the movie comes out. I know I already do

  • @SwampCeeMcGee60
    @SwampCeeMcGee60 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I had pregnant Midge and I loved her. I can officially say that she didn't inspire me to go out and get pregnant like the controversy. Lol. I had my first child at 28.
    The blame is always put on something else, not the lack of proper parenting these Karens do.

  • @dynamicvortex2467
    @dynamicvortex2467 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had a midge pregnant doll that got stolen and I was sooo sad about it!! She was one of my favorites. It’s good to know some of the history

  • @irenepetrova5846
    @irenepetrova5846 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Not exactly Midge, but barbie on Diva facemold was quite adorable in BMR1959 line recently. Especially, when you redress her in something more glamorous😂

    • @toykeyper8914
      @toykeyper8914 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      YES! She is one of my favorite dolls. I took out her braids and put her in a better outfit and she is so pretty :) A really nice transformation

  • @mizzmarvel
    @mizzmarvel ปีที่แล้ว +8

    One year we had a real hard candy Christmas and the ONE toy I got was a pet-sitter Skipper, which I was thrilled about...until I went over to my best friend's house and found that one of the eight million toys she'd received was the huge Midge wedding set! It put my sad little Skipper to shame, but ever since then, I've been low-key obsessed with Midge.

  • @carolzerucha7429
    @carolzerucha7429 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I remember wanting a Midge doll back in the 1960s! I liked Midge, and my Barbie (one of the earlier models with the bubble hairdo) was so boring! Great video, Joey!

  • @thetiniestpirate
    @thetiniestpirate ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I had the Happy Family Midge doll and honestly I think it helped deal with some of the terrifying body horror that I was learning (from my catholic school) was expected of me as a girl.

  • @eerielakeerie
    @eerielakeerie ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i had the happy family grandparents set! it came with a kitchen/dining room playset that folded into a carrying case and SO MUCH tiny silverware and little dishes. the stove had a cup with a metal lid that you were meant to put ice water in. it also had a color changing turkey and sheet of cookies. when there was water in the cup and you put the food into the oven part, it would almost act like a refrigerator, making it cold enough to “cook” the food.

  • @BombshellBoss
    @BombshellBoss ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I remember when pregnant Midge came out, I was almost an adult by then so didn’t actually play with her. One of the ludicrous outcry’s I remember, at least where I was in Canada, was that the doll gave an unreal expectation about the ease of childbirth and how easy it is for a body to bounce back afterwards. I thought it was stupid then and I still do now, people are thinking too deeply about a doll!

  • @funkyfeem727
    @funkyfeem727 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Omg yay a video about Midge! ❤ I love learning about all the different Barbie characters!

  • @vixtex
    @vixtex ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I’m so old that I remember the intro of “Midge.” She’s awesome!❤️

  • @monroelover73
    @monroelover73 ปีที่แล้ว

    Joey thanks for that Information. Love the energy you printed in the explantiom. As a collector was really helpful. Thanks

  • @clos4824
    @clos4824 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Great video! I'd love to see you make more videos on Barbie's other friends like Teresa, Christie, Kira, etc. And maybe another video about her family members like Skipper, Stacie, Kelly/Chelsea and cousin Jazzy.

  • @clairegallagher_ire
    @clairegallagher_ire ปีที่แล้ว +77

    Honestly I never got the pregnancy controversy. Today Steffy Love is on the shelves with a pregnancy set and it sells, but Mattel refuses to do the same. I always see Midge as a doll victim. The all marriage thing to justify her pregnancy was ridiculous. Although I absolutely love the Happy Family sets (I have most of the dolls) there's nothing wrong with single mothers. It's the American bigot Karens.

    • @maggiesmith856
      @maggiesmith856 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      The Pregnant Steffie Love doll is crappy. If you remove her pregnant belly, she's left with a gaping hole in her torso ! With Midge, if you removed the belly, she had a normal body underneath.

    • @clairegallagher_ire
      @clairegallagher_ire ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@maggiesmith856 agree, never bought Steffy. It's a cheap imitation.

  • @Cannabest
    @Cannabest ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for making this one!

  • @katierasburn9571
    @katierasburn9571 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Omigosh im so glad i found your channel ive been recently getting back into girly things i denied myself when i was younger and barbie is fascinating but the lore is all so confusing! Cant wait to watch more thank you for this deep dive

  • @____thecommenter1569
    @____thecommenter1569 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Can you do a video about all of barbies discontinued/forgotten siblings?

  • @sharonevans6864
    @sharonevans6864 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Really enjoyed your video. I had forgotten the controversy on the pregnant Midge. How crazy! Do love the Midge doll. Thanks for sharing. Take care!

  • @Hi-jw7oq
    @Hi-jw7oq ปีที่แล้ว

    That "happy family" jingle unlocked an old memory for me of when they had commercials for her! Good times. Thanks for sharing!

  • @megan2176
    @megan2176 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    So fun! Just found your channel, and what a great video to start with! The first Midge appearance in Life in the Dreamhouse was my absolute favorite! I loved the black and white, and her goofy sweet personality. There was also a "live" in the dreamhouse episode, where they used actual Barbies to act out the episode! Sigh, so fun! 44 year old lady over here, still love Barbies, and know I'm going to love your doll content! ❤️❤❤❤❤

  • @lexieostler8435
    @lexieostler8435 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    As kid when the pregnant midge came out, I thought it was the coolest Barbie ever cause there was a magnetic baby bump where a little baby would be inside. I loved it! Also I never thought anything about her age, I always thought Barbie’s were adults

  • @ConchitaDsouza
    @ConchitaDsouza ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'm still sad I gave away my pregnant Midge doll, I remember being obsessed with the 3 in 1 crib/changing table/rocker. Also it teaches you how to swaddle the baby?? Which I thought was the cutest thing ever and I still think about it all the time

  • @TSV805
    @TSV805 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I was a kid in the late 80s, early 90s. I have brown hair so I always had the Theresa and Courtney dolls, and of course I had all of the Midge dolls too. I had some Barbies and Skippers, but I had ALL of the Midge, Theresa, and Courtney dolls.

  • @lindasiegel895
    @lindasiegel895 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love the way you describe your ideas regarding why certain dolls are no longer on the market!

  • @LilDollFangs
    @LilDollFangs ปีที่แล้ว +3

    you got me to watch life in the dreamhouse i really liked it too. i love midge and will be on the hunt for one soon ^^

  • @maddiejoy6619
    @maddiejoy6619 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I still wish I had gotten pregnant Midge as a kid. My parents had no issue with the doll (my mom was heavily involved in a breastfeeding / natural birth group, so I was around boobs and pregnancy my entire life). The Barbie movies were just huge around the same time, so I had to decide what to ask for on my birthday and Christmas lists.

  • @lizzybobizzy6208
    @lizzybobizzy6208 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was a great video! I loved seeing all the releases through the years, thank you! It flowed very nicely. I’d love a video like this about Allan if that’s possible, I’m
    So curious about his history and releases. 💞

  • @rainesbobo
    @rainesbobo ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I always get excited when I see a new video from you! Thanks for all the content

  • @fabianastacia3350
    @fabianastacia3350 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I remember my cousins had pregnant midge and I was so jealous! I really loved the little tiny baby and taking it in and out that belly! Lol.

  • @jrgnc1
    @jrgnc1 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Midge was the plain looking best friend which made Barbie stand out even more.

  • @VidWatcher01
    @VidWatcher01 ปีที่แล้ว

    How am I just now finding you?!? This is channel is pure awesome!!!

  • @melancholycollie1466
    @melancholycollie1466 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is information I wasn't searching for today but I'm glad to have learned. Thank you kind stranger.

  • @slurpwis
    @slurpwis ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I loved the pregnant Midge doll as a little girl. I thought the concept was so cute.

  • @terrysilva6430
    @terrysilva6430 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I loved Midge and I had the happy family set where she was pregnant and I loved playing out the birth. Of course I always did the wedding with lots of guests. I even had a wedding cake set. But unfortunately I lost her in moves. Hopefully I'll get her again. Great video as always

  • @pswish2163
    @pswish2163 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thx! That was an awesome explanation. I know nothing about Barbie & you answered many questions I had after watching the movie.

  • @TruthTalkTarot
    @TruthTalkTarot ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow! I had the original red-headed Midge doll in 1963! I was the only one of my friends who had Midge instead of Barbie, and I loved that she was different from the others. I never knew her story and I’m thrilled to have discovered you! 👍

  • @toykeyper8914
    @toykeyper8914 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great video, I love Midge and loved to learn more about her history. I honestly think the original Midge was kind of ugly but when she returned in the 80s she was stunning! Cool Times Midge was one of my favorite Barbies growing up and I had to have Bride Midge and Groom Alan when they came out even though I was growing out of toys at that time. My fiance bought me that big wedding set a couple years ago for Christmas. I would love to get a Dreamhouse Midge someday, she is so pretty :)

  • @RGSuperfan
    @RGSuperfan ปีที่แล้ว +5

    That pregnant Midge controversy is silly.
    Kids don't think that far. Not for these topics. They don't care if Midge is married or not, how old is she... It's just a doll!!! She has adult features. For kids she is obviously an adult.
    But having a pregnant doll is actually very interesting for starting having the conversation with your kids, because they ask a lot of questions at that age

    • @mistyz0ne
      @mistyz0ne ปีที่แล้ว

      fr, as a kid i thought women just randomly got pregnant out of nowhere one day and that's how babies happened haha i accepted it. i didnt learn otherwise until a friend laughed at me about it

  • @Fizzypups
    @Fizzypups ปีที่แล้ว +1

    We had the Happy Family set with the magnetic stomach. I didn't even know there was controversy about it back then. My sister and I thought absolutely nothing of it lol, it was just another Barbie doll to us. Still have them all to this day!

  • @mandybutler8880
    @mandybutler8880 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oh! So glad this came up in my recommendations. Love learning about these dolls❤

  • @alejandromolinac
    @alejandromolinac ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Must say it’s quite humorous when people confuse “redhead” Barbie with Midge …… in the early 90’s Barbie sometimes would come as Red head and Brunette variations …. Along with the African American which WAS NOT Christie.

    • @Adv18
      @Adv18 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think people call Black Barbie from the 90s Christie, as she uses the Christie face sculpt. I called her Christie as I also had the blonde Barbie so it felt like I was getting an extra character in a doll line other than an alternative Barbie. X

    • @alejandromolinac
      @alejandromolinac ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think is rather interchangeable…. Thought “Black Barbie” came in with the same outfit as the Blonde doll…. Christie would come in with her own unique outfit and the box would be labeled as Christie….

    • @SailorMoonFan92
      @SailorMoonFan92 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It's funny as it changes per region. In the US, 1992's Totally Hair Barbie came in blonde or brunette. Here in Europe, the blonde one was Barbie but the brunette one was called Whitney on the box.

    • @alejandromolinac
      @alejandromolinac ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Oh I didn’t know that!…. I grew up in Latin America…. We got everything the US Market got….. though we also got Baywatch Teresa which was just for the foreign market…. Which is why that particular doll is very expensive on EBAY!

    • @kenthuang436
      @kenthuang436 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@alejandromolinac Oh so that explains why Baywatch Teresa isn’t on any of the boxes or the ad for the line. I was wondering about that.

  • @brittanymadelianne9247
    @brittanymadelianne9247 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wow!! The lore is so deep 😮

  • @aprilflowers2297
    @aprilflowers2297 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Oh my god, I remember the pregnant midge commercial! That just brought back a memory I had completely forgotten.

  • @AntoniyaAngelova
    @AntoniyaAngelova ปีที่แล้ว

    Such a lovely video! I liked it a lot! Midge is so underrated, in my opinion. She is lovely! This video was perfectly made on time to celebrate her anniversary, good job! ❤

  • @benedettakiriaki
    @benedettakiriaki ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Ah! I love this kind of videos ❤ Thanks for sharing 🙏💖

  • @hiyahandsome
    @hiyahandsome ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Love your channel, Joey, and I always learn something from you. I remember when Midge debuted back in '63 and quite honestly she looked like Barbie's daughter. By that time Barbie wore a bubblecut hairdo which you showed in the video, and looked like a 45 year old Las Vegas divorcee, not a "teenaged fashion model." But I always loved Alan the most, what a cutie!

  • @kirstystenlake9489
    @kirstystenlake9489 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Hi👩

  • @teddycharles5750
    @teddycharles5750 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Learned some things like midge's sister and the last happy family doll with third baby ! Great vidéo !