Barbie Celebrates 40th Anniversary of She-Ra

The legendary She-Ra, Princess of Power first burst on the scene in 1985, making this her 40th year of fighting evil and saving the day! What better way to celebrate than with her first appearance as a Barbie doll?

Barbie x Doctor Who Dolls

Barbie is celebrating time and space with dolls of the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday – featuring character likenesses of Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson.

“Barbie is iconic, so to see a Barbie iteration of the Doctor was emotional, surreal, incredible and I can't wipe the smile off my face. I hope kids out there are able to enjoy the doll and see themselves in it and think 'I can do anything’” - Ncuti Gatwa

Introducing the LeBron James Kenbassadors Doll

Mattel is thrilled to introduce LeBron James as the first doll in their Kenbassadors line. He's a true leader—an activist, philanthropist, and champion for others both on and off the court. A changemaker and tastemaker, this LeBron James Ken doll embodies his signature elevated streetwear style while proudly representing the LeBron James Family Foundation, his nonprofit dedicated to empowering inner-city youth with the tools they need to succeed in life.

Toy Fair 2025: Mattel and Hasbro Team for Barbie Play-Doh

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today announced the launch of a new PLAY-DOH Barbie collection from Hasbro’s new licensing collaboration with Mattel. This unique line includes an assortment of dolls with special fashion-making tools that encourage kids to bring out their inner fashionista and create whatever DOH-ified fashions they can imagine. The PLAY-DOH Barbie line will be sold by Hasbro, launching in Target stores and online in June 2025, and will be available at most retailers in August 2025.

Toy Fair 2025: Mattel Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Ruby Collection

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT), a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, is celebrating its 80th anniversary with the preview of the limited-edition Mattel 80th Ruby Anniversary Collection. This milestone pays homage to the company’s legacy of inspiring play and innovation, pairing its signature red with striking ruby accents across beloved products.

The range, which will be unveiled for the first time at Nuremberg Toy Fair, features a collection of products from iconic Mattel brands, including collectible Barbie dolls, Polly Pocket compact playsets, Hot Wheels vehicles, a ruby-red Magic 8 Ball, a special edition UNO deck, a Thomas & Friends die-cast engine, and a reimagined Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone. Each item reflects the legacy of innovation and joy that Mattel has brought to generations of children and fans worldwide. Founded 80 years ago in a Californian garage by Ruth and Elliot Handler and Harold Matson, Mattel has transformed how generations of children play, inspiring dreams and leaving an indelible mark on global culture. To commemorate this remarkable journey, Mattel will celebrate throughout 2025 with this product unveil being the first in a year long journey that reflects its vibrant history and commitment to delighting fans of all ages.

Alamo Drafthouse Goes Full On Barbie Crazy

We bleed pink here at Alamo Drafthouse, so you can imagine just how excited we are for Greta Gerwig’s hilarious, glamorous, irreverent take on BARBIE. That’s why we’re capturing just a little of that Barbieland magic with enough unique screenings, fabulous collectibles, and exclusive fun to fill a dream house.

Barbie is all about the accessories, so we’re going all out with an exclusive line of must-have products that any Barbie fan would love – the BARBIE X Alamo Drafthouse Collection. First up is our Limited Edition Lunchbox & Thermos Set with a custom BARBIE design. It’s perfect for a picnic on the beach with Ken and will look great on your mantle. Here’s how to get your hands on one:

New Barbie Trailer Introduces The Horror of... FLAT FEET

It's time. THE NEW BARBIE TRAILER IS HERE!!!! You'll laugh..you'll cry...you'll then realize this is a trailer for a Barbie movie and wonder why the Fast and the Furious movies can't have just a liiiiitle more depth. (SUPPORT YOUR WRITERS!!) The July 21st release date is quickly approaching and with it, every shade of pastel and day-glow you could possibly imagine. Also, John Cena plays a Ken. Sold.

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place.  Unless you have a full-on existential crisis.  Or you’re a Ken.

Toy Fair 2019: Barbie Takes Your Jobs, Rides Your Horses and Babysits Everyone

Mattel's golden girl in pink isn't going anywhere any time soon. It seems like any time someone challenges the relevance of this multi-millionaire career woman in modern times, Mattel pops out a doll that answers all questions, adds diversity of race and body type, challenges young women to push beyond the limits set by old white men and doesn't forget to have fun. Suffice to say, Mattel's Barbie team are embattled hourly and probably underpaid! Let's take a look at the awesome lineup of amazing Barbie dolls rolling out now, and in the coming months.

Since 1959, Barbie’s purpose has been to inspire the limitless potential in every girl and that message is more relevant than ever. Inspiring three generations of girls, over 200 careers and more than one billion barbie dolls sold, she has stood the test of time. This year, Barbie is continuing to evolve by becoming a more relevant, modern reflection of the world for today’s kids and their families by infusing purpose across all touchpoints including product, content, marketing and more.

Barbie's Ken Gets a Man Bun & More

Fans and spectators alike applauded when the creators of Barbie decided to shatter her mold..just a little bit..and add more body types and skin colors to their mega popular doll line. Will fans be equally as supportive when Ken gets a similar makeover??!! Ehh...

Today Barbie announced the expansion of its Fashionistas line with 15 new and diverse Ken dolls, featuring three body types – slim, broad and original – and a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hairstyles and modern fashion looks. Each Ken Fashionistas doll has his own look and style – from sporty to casual to preppy, all of the fashion are inspired by the latest trends! With added diversity and more variety in styles, kids everywhere will have infinitely more ways to spark their imaginations. The new Ken dolls join an expanded Barbie Fashionistas line, making it the most diverse fashion doll line in the marketplace.

Barbie: The Gamer Grill

Barbie has had more jobs than any 100 people may have had in their lifetime. She's been to space, blinded us with science, donned a cape for super-heroics, gone full stealth as a spy and..umm..worked at McDonalds. In recent years, Mattel has been pushing to shatter the misconceptions of Barbie and her opulent lifestyle with marketing geared toward empowering little women to be anything they can dream. Today, we learned about a straight to DVD Barbie movie in which avid gamer Barbie is magically transported into her video game universe. The first part of that statement is something I heartily give massive thumbs up for, as women in gaming are still getting beat up out there, and this should not be the state of things. The second part could provide potential, unintentional hilarity...

Toy Fair 2016: A New Barbie for a New Generation

Mattel recently announced Barbie would be getting a makeover in an attempt to reconnect with children (and  the Moms who pay for them) who saw her model and life as a bit antiquated. New body types, heights and even modified body parts are being introduced to create a more diverse world for the iconic doll...which thrilled some, and confused others. If you ask a little girl to point at Barbie in a room full of people, she's going to walk right up to the blondest, skinniest girl at the ball. That's what Mattel wanted...a strong, recognizable brand. If you then change everything about her, is she still Barbie? ...Or can we expect the iconic white blonde to be leading this diverse army to the toy shelves? WE WILL SOON FIND OUT! Today, we check out what is probably a nice sized chunk of Barbie's new world, along with some Super Hero types that will be giving Hot Toys a run for their money...

E3 2015: Little Orbit's Lineup: Adventure Time, Monster High, Barbie & Kung Fu Panda

Worldwide video game publisher, Little Orbit, announced the blockbuster lineup of video games it will showcase at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).   Little Orbit will have on hand some of today's most fun and successful franchises including Adventure Time, Kung Fu Panda,  Monster High, and Barbie.  Playable titles will be on hand to demo in Meeting Room 307 in the South Hall.

Toy Fair 2015: Mattel Preview with Star Wars, Batman, Barbie, Monster High, Marvel & More

This one is HUUUUUGE!! As our Toy Fair 2015 coverage marches on, all the companies are now pitching their show previews at us and we are doing our best to get them online and before your eyes so you can commence...the droolinating. Mattel knocked on our door very politely and asked if they could get in on the fun, and when we said OF COURSE they heaved a telephone book sized stack of information at us. OK..we are exaggerating..just a little though. Dive in below and check out what Mattel has in store for 2015! Be sure to scroll all the way through as there may be some items at the bottom you'll be keen on!

Toy Fair 2015: BEHOLD! Barbie the Princess Super Hero!!

It will be no news to you that Barbie has held several jobs over the course of our lifetime. From her humble beginnings as McDonalds employee to her stints as Astronaut, Fashion Designer, Doctor, Computer Tech, Mermaid...she's done it all...and sometimes, has done 2 or three things at the same time. How she was able to code websites while designing dresses under water is beyond me...but THAT'S OUR BARBIE!!  And she don't need no man to help her code anything. (double snaps). Now, Barbie takes on her most challenging, multi-taskular job position ever. PRINCESS SUPER HERO!!!

At the world's largest Toy Fair which takes place in Nuremberg, for the first time in Mattel's 56-year history, Barbie™ is pulling out a cape and mask and transforming into a modern day superhero. During a groundbreaking stunt at the Toy Fair, Barbie™ demonstrated her new superpowers and took to the skies in front of crowds of onlookers. The Toy Show is the mecca of the industry that sees the world's leading brands showcase the most innovative toys that kids will be playing with in 2015 and beyond. Barbie™ stole the show in her new superhero persona and performed a one of a kind global stunt.

Toy Fair 2014: Mattel's Toy Fair Sneak Peek with Barbie, Batman, Marvel Hot Wheels, Monster High & More

As our beloved toy companies jump on the internet and, one by one, painfully blow the excitement of Toy Fair by revealing their key items, Mattel took to the web and, very quietly, decided to show off a nice sampling of their 2014 lines, saving the ultra, mega, super awesome stuff for the big show. THERE'S A LESSON TO BE LEARNED HERE, REST OF THE TOY INDUSTRY!! Let's take a look at what Mattel's got on tap...

Toy Fair 2014: Barbie and her BFFs

We are mere days away from the start of New York International Toy Fair 2014, but we've still got plenty of coverage to sift through from UK and Nuremberg! Mattel's Barbie line made a very brief appearance in Germany, pushing a Fashionista / Best Friends Forever theme...perhaps..simultaneously? I said her appearance was brief! Here's the little blast of information we snapped up...

Toy Fair 2014: Sixth Annual Best New Toys Revealed

The sixth annual Toy Fair Best New Toy Awards winners were announced this morning predicting some of the top new toys for 2014. Winners range from household names such as LEGO Friends Stephanie’s Beach House (LEGO) and Nerf N-Strike Zombie Crossbow (Hasbro) to innovative new IPs such as My Friend Cayla (Vivid) and Cupets (Flair). The thirteen categories - which produced 39 winning toys from 26 different toy companies - were unveiled by Toy Fair organizers the British Toy & Hobby Association on the first day of the show this morning. Toy Fair is the UK’s only dedicated toy, game and hobby trade exhibition, playing host to more than 280 exhibitors launching thousands of new products.

Toy Fair 2013 : Classic Batman is Back

Fans of the Batman Classic TV Series will be doing the Batusi when WBCP and its licensing partners give them a first glimpse at the all-new licensing program for the fan-favorite live-action series.  Sure to ensnare the eyes of collectors and ignite the nostalgia for the 60’s series is the Mattel vintage-styled Batman Ken® and Catwoman Barbie® collection, and a BATMAN™ Classic TV Series 6” Figure Assortment, BATMAN™ Classic TV Series TV Moments 2 Pack, as well as a BATMAN™ Classic TV Series Batmobile.  Rubie’s will introduce a line of costumes based on series favorites including Batman, Robin, Catwoman, The Riddler, and The Joker.  Additional licensees supporting the Batman Classic TV Series include Funko with stylized figures and plush; Mezco with colorfully detailed vinyl figures; NECA with an 18-inch action figure; Round 2 with model kits; Cryptozoic Entertainment with trading cards; and a variety of high-end collectibles from Noble Collection, Sideshow Collectibles, TriForce, Kotobukiya, Medicom and Hot Toys.  The Mattel Hot Wheels® brand will rev-up with a high-end Elite Scale Batmobile inspired by the 1966 hot-rod in the series for the true collector; along with many other toy partners who will help bring to life this cultural phenomenon with a Zap! Bam! Pow!

We've still got a small mountain of UK Toy Fair goodness to sort through as the companies begin to send us all their teasers and pre-show reveals, so keep checking back often and follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/idlehandsblog or https://twitter.com/nomadixxx (if you want your news faster and don't mind mildly psycho chatter.)

You can also dive into our picture galleries as they go live RIGHT HERE!

ThinkGeek Are No Fools

Happy April Fool's Day!!! TeamGeek have come up with some amazing "new products" for this year's April Fool's Day tradition. Plus, they're offering a free limited edition t-shirt with $25+ purchases and a great contest! More detailed info is below.

ThinkGeek has a long standing tradition of turning some of their April Fool's Day products into the real deal (remember the Tauntaun Sleeping Bag??), so take a look and see if there is one (or more) you'd like to see come to life.

Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos for iPad - The original Hunger Game returns! Price: $29.99

Product Specifications

• Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos iPad Game
• Just like the game you loved as a child, but updated for the new iPad!
• Each hippo has the chomping action you remember.
• Each hippo head has capacitive pads underneath to interact with you iPad.
• Free app available from Apple store (supports new iPad's retina display).
• App features a variety of table tops, game play modes, and scoring - including Vegas and Tournament!
• Fully endorsed by the International Hungry Hungry Hippo Association (IHHHA).
• Players: 1-4
• Dimensions: approx. 17” x 17” x 3.5”

Barbie™ Digital Fashion Styling Head for iPad - A Fashion Forward Appcessory Price: $29.99

Product Specifications

• Styling head available for the Original iPad and iPad2/3.
• Comes with brush for styling hair and four (4) touch-capacitve makeup accessories
• Free Barbie™ DreamSync™ Fashion Styling App Available for Android and iOS
• Purchase includes 100MB of free storage on the Barbie™ CloudCastle™ Network

Star Wars Admiral Ackbar Singing Bass - Straight outta Dac! Price: $39.99

• Ackbar plays the Cantina Song and says, “It's a trap!”
• Springs to life at the press of a button or when motion is detected.
• Integrated folding desk stand.
• Two mounting holes on back (wall hardware included).
• Power: 6 C batteries (not included) or AC adapter (included).
• Dimensions: approx. 15” x 9” x 5”

Game of Thrones Fire and Blood Perfume - A scent worthy of the blood of the dragon Price: $74.99

Product Specifications

• A scent worthy of the blood of the dragon
• Dragon egg glass bottle with a golden atomizer
• Features the dragon of House Targaryen
• Notes: Sweet Green Grass, Smoke, Violet, Dragon's Blood (Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Exotic Florals, Spices), Leather
• Officially licensed Game of Thrones collectible
• 2.2 ounces per bottle

K-cup™ 5-Star Meals - Gourmet taste for the ramen budget Price: $8.99

Product Specifications

• Brew delicious meals with your single cup coffee machine
• Hot lunch (or dinner!) in your coffee cup in just minutes
• Scan the QR code in the package & take our survey about the meals. We'll offer 24 packs of the top 3 flavors starting in June 2012.
• Keurig, the Cup design, Keurig Brewed and K-Cup are registered trademarks of Keurig, Incorporated used with permission. K-Cup® packs for use in Keurig® Brewing Systems

Minecraft Marshmallow Creeps - Makes Easter BaSssssket go BOOM!

Dress like a true son of Skyrim shout like the Dovahkiin

Price: $4.99

Product Specifications

• Chicks and bunnies are boring, put some CREEPS in your basket!
• Each pack contains five (5) delicious, sugary Minecraft CREEPS
• While not recommended, they do sort of explode in the microwave (we checked).
• An officially licensed Minecraft collectible edible
• Ingredients: Sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, preservatives, green dye, carnauba wax
• Please Note: While CREEPS no longer contain sulfur they are made in a facility that uses nuts and various ores in the production of other goods and materials.

Technomancer Electronic Wizard Hoodie Skyrim Electronic Dragon Shout Hoodie - For the budding spellcaster Price: $119.99

Product Specifications

• Transform yourself into a powerful mage with this hoodie
• Dual accelerometers in the sleeves sense your hand movements
• Move your hands in the right sequence to cast a specific spell
• Internal speakers will create the spellcasting sound effects
• LEDs in the hood and sleeves light up with the appropriate color
• Eight different spells including: fireball, healing, and lightning bolt
• Illustrated directions included to teach you the movements for each spell
• Machine Washable: Electronic components can be removed for washing

Skyrim Electronic Dragon Shout Hoodie - Dress like a true son of Skyrim shout like the Dovahkiin Price: $89.99

Product Specifications

• 100% cotton hoodie to protect you against the harsh Skyrim environment
• Iron helmet face mask hood, includes horns
• Electronic dragon shouts from powerful built-in speaker
• Features all 20 shouts available to the Dragonborn
• Dragon souls not required to unlock shouts

CLICK HERE to check out masterfully designed videos which further explain the majesty and wonder of these products. Plus, they're offering a free limited edition t-shirt with $25+ purchases and a great contest! CLICK HERE for that biz.

Geek is Still a Dirty Word

In the last few years, main stream media have embraced “geek culture”. These days, you can watch zombies decimate the human race on TV, gawk at super powered beings doing battle on the big screen and grin from ear to ear as comics regularly invade the prime time news cycle. It would seem the world is an idyllic place for someone who reports on all that could blow a geek’s mind. Sadly, some things never change, and while a great deal of companies express their love of comics, games and toys through their products and enjoy a mutual respect with their fans, there are still executives who see those same fans as nothing more than wallets to be picked clean.

With that last statement fresh in your mind, I’m going to tell you a little story about a company named Mattel.

Last year, while heading back to the train from Toy Fair 2011, I was phoned up by Mattel’s legal department. Straight out of the gate, I was accused of “image theft”, which made me laugh as visions of sneaking up behind a Mattel employee and using my ninja-like thieving techniques to procure a flash drive from his back pocket labeled “The Loot!” danced through my head. I explained that I don’t even know how to go about stealing images from Mattel and since I was out on the street (and not in front of a computer), he would have to be specific as to what images he thinks I pillaged. I was told the items in question were found in an article outlining upcoming waves of Batman Legacy action figures and 2 figure packs. He explained I wasn’t supposed to have the images. I told him he shouldn’t have released them, then, as most people know 99.9% of what we post on Idle Hands (and formerly, Action-Figure.com) could be found online..somewhere. Of course, we do not openly reveal that source as we would give the competition a direct route to the goods, but we have no second thoughts about publishing something already public. As expected, his reply was something in the tone of “Oh.” I suggested, in this instance, his real problem should be with sales, as they have a tendency to send out pictures that turn up on foreign retailer websites, where we happily scoop them up. “Oh” again. It always amazes me how someone will initially come at you with righteous indignation in their voice and minutes later, after you’ve proven you are neither afraid nor a child AND are in the right, they are quickly deflated. This was the case and I returned home to a letter from my Mattel Press Rep for some years now stating simply “I don’t know what is going on, but please give legal what ever they need.”

The images in question were primarily custom figures created by some DC super fans, using Mattel figures as a base. Seeing that they were excellent ideas, Mattel (most likely) decided to make them real and used pictures of these toys for reference. Somewhere along the way, someone got a hold of these pictures and thought they were the actual figures being released and sent them out to retailers for pre-orders, where I plucked them and made it news. Having no idea these were actually someone’s (or rather a couple of someones) customs, I was surprised when toy collectors on a well known forum said I manufactured the lineups, swiped the pictures and essentially lied about the whole thing. I did have a couple of people say this is something Mattel has done before, so it is no surprise, but as usual, the voices coming to my defense were not as loud as those calling me any number of lovely names. With the reveal of the actual figures and lineups at Toy Fair, I was vindicated, but had to actually point out the fact on the very same forum myself, as no one else seemed interested in doing so. At the end of it all, Mattel’s legal department asked me to remove the images and every reference to them, which I did as a courtesy. No one from Mattel ever expressed their thanks for doing so and those from the company that post on those forums regularly said nothing in my defense. To anyone that had just read those pages when the ruckus was at its peak, I may as well have been every bit the cretin they made me out to be.

I’d say “flash forward to 2012” at this point, but I’d like to list some events that further soured me on Mattel’s business practices.

- I had two subscriptions with Mattel; one for Masters of the Universe Classics and another for Ghostbusters. We were encouraged to take on these subscriptions as not to be left out when the figures we want quickly sold out on the day of their availability. We learned that “Sold Out” was a term Mattel used very loosely, as these items would resurface some time later, and at half price. What is your reward for pre-paying for your figures and helping to keep these lines alive? Paying full, inflated prices, apparently.

- For a person attempting to cover Mattel’s toys, it has always been difficult, but at this point communication was at an all time low. There seemed to be some secret handshake involved with being a part of Mattel’s Q&A sessions that I had never learned. I certainly don’t begrudge those sites who benefit from their personal relationships with the company, but when I’m at San Diego Comic Con and am told to return to the booth no less than 6 times to get details on their toys (with 6 being the end number as I gave up after that) and I return home to see epic interviews in private rooms with the whole Mattel team…to say the least, I was frustrated.

Mattel’s smug faced mascot would come to be a focal point for the collective anger of customers being jerked around by Digital River, Mattel’s distribution company for all Mattycollector items. I personally only had one issue with them abruptly canceling my subscription, but it was quickly rectified. Other people’s issues didn’t seem to be cleared up as quickly and some still continue today. One look at the Mattycollector facebook page will tell that story.

NOW we can jump to Toy Fair 2012. I was told when the collector event would be and RSVP’d for myself and Heather Buckley. I made sure to express an interest in covering “Girl Toys” as well and since we had no problems doing so in previous years, we didn’t think twice about it. We hit the event, pushed through the throng of “geek reporters” using their iPhones as a camera to shoot the collector friendly figures and then made a B line for the room containing Barbie, Monster High and the like. Fellow writer/ photographer from Cool Toy Review, Dave Myatt, followed me in. We got a demo of Mattel’s newest kid-friendly electronic buddy and as I turned to shoot what was next, I had to grin as I faced a whole wall of new Monster High product. This is a line I was asked specifically by fans to shoot well and in great detail, and I was prepared to do just that. Little did I know, at that same moment further into the room, Dave was being taken by the arm like some child that mistakenly wandered into the back area of a magic show and was told to leave. I, on the other hand, must have been camouflaged within the group of women who were getting a presentation of the newest Monster High products and was allowed to take a handful of pictures as I talked to two nearby press reps who remembered me from some other event. Moments later, I was approached by Rachel Cooper, Manager of Public Relations, who put out her hand in a “Stop” motion as if I’d done something wrong and told me I did not belong there. I said clearly I did belong there, as her press reps know who I am! I wasn’t a stranger or a Sunday afternoon blogger who woke up one day, decided to cover the show and immediately thought I was entitled to the run of the place. I have been covering Toy Fair for over 10 years. I made an appointment and we were there…in the middle of it! She explained my place was back with the “collector press” in the other room. I explained I’d rather not be lumped with them, first off, as I cover far more than “boy’s toys”, and was asked specifically to cover this room and since we’d done so every year previous, I wasn’t sure what the problem was. At this point, two more PR reps joined the conversation, explaining that some reporter years back had ruined it for everyone when they went into a secret room and shot things they shouldn’t have. I laughed and insisted, again, that we shot EVERYTHING last year and no one had said BOO to us. In fact, it was that Barbie coverage that caused those fans to insist we shoot a ton of pictures this year. I was told I had to leave and make a NEW appointment just for that room. I laughed again and said if I leave, I will not get an appointment. Rachel assured me that if I knew my schedule at that moment, she would make a new appointment with me right then and there. We settled on 1pm on the last day of the show, and being the uber-Italian that I am, I made her shake on it.

Now it is the last day of the show. I’m having a conversation with a friend from MTV Geek who tells me they had someone cover Monster High already, but he’d love a crack at them himself to assure MTV has the best coverage possible of this insanely popular line. In my mind, there was no way Mattel was going to deny MTV access along with me, who had a legit appointment, so off we went. Mind you, I had received an email from Rachel Cooper a day or so previous, stating my appointment was now 3pm. No apology for shifting the time and the inconveniences is causes in the middle of my very packed schedule, but it was important to me, so I made adjustments…again. All day I felt odd about it. My mind told me to show up at 1 just to make sure there would be no shenanigans. I calmed myself, stressing I had far more to cover beyond Mattel and stuck to my schedule. I did show up at Mattel with my MTV friend in tow, a half hour early, just to play it safe. The woman at the desk looked disappointed for me. “Oh Paul…your appointment was at 1! I’m afraid you missed it!” I insisted it was moved to 3 and repeatedly assured her I could pull it up on my phone to prove it. After all, we live in the future. I was told it was switched back and she showed me several arrows on the page proving the jerk around. I asked if they were in the habit of changing people’s appointments without telling them and she explained I was, indeed, informed. I laughed. This was not the case. I asked her to please go back and find me Rachel Cooper, with whom I made an appointment for this time. She returned minutes later looking very unhappy. “I’m very sorry. They say your appointment was at 1 and they are now packing everything up, so there is no way you could possibly shoot anything. I’m…very sorry.” My poor receptionist looked down sheepishly, expecting to be yelled at. I told her I don’t hold her responsible for this extremely unprofessional behavior, but I wanted to confirm she was indeed told to turn away someone with a legitimate appointment, accompanied by a reporter from MTV? She said yes. She was clearly not happy about it. I told her I was sorry she had to be the one on the receiving end of this, as Rachel could not be bothered to come out and tell me herself, but treating anyone like this was beyond unprofessional. I was shocked and angered beyond further words, but what can you do? I’m not the type of person who shoots the messenger just because they are there. Instead, this is my recourse.

I sent an email to Rachel Cooper expressing my extreme disappointment with the way she handled me, making false promises to shoo me out of her show room and asked for some explanation as to why I had to be treated in that way. After a week with no reply, I sit here writing this. I’m not writing purely from a point of anger, though I’m still burned by the event. More than anything, it saddens me that things like this kill my love of collecting toys. Why am I meant to feel like I am doing something wrong when I give free publicity to a company? More often then not, we even go so far as to buy the toys we’d like to cover, as it is quicker than trying to squeeze a free sample out of a multi million dollar outfit. Shouldn’t they be very happy we are so enthusiastic about their products? If they are forced by their bosses to squeeze 100 of us into a room all at once to shoot their toys, shouldn’t they be doing their best to assure that THAT experience is as comfortable, polite and smooth as it possibly can be? Hearing a fellow writer was actually handled when he was simply taking a picture of a Barbie doll is insane. Being lied to just to be rid of me when my intent is only to give further attention to dolls they are trying to sell is complete lunacy. Beyond that, it is entirely unprofessional. Why is it ok to treat me like this? Because I am with the “collector press” or the “nerd herd” as I’ve heard reps call us. I’m a geek, and my love of what they produce only makes me fodder for ridicule in their minds. Does it matter that I began the week interviewing the cast and crew of the movie Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance? Not a bit. A Mommy Blogger gets more respect. I’ll never be able to put logic to it, or see the situation through their eyes. All I can do is wait until these short sighted individuals are replaced with people like me…the geeks…who are very good at treating fellow fans with respect, listen to what they truly want to buy…and at the end of the day, make their bosses a ton of money.