Ken Turns 50

Genuine Ken
An explosion of public groveling began, from romantic tweets and Facebook polls to grand gestures like taking out billboards in Southern California and creating custom cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery. And if that wasn't enough to convince Barbie that Ken was the perfect guy, Mattel fashioned a Ken-themed reality show which debuted on Hulu early this year. "Genuine Ken: The Search For The Great American Boyfriend" is a reality competition between eight chiseled perfect male specimens, all competing to be the human incarnation of Barbie's boyfriend. Hosted by reality show alum Whitney Port, the men are judged on their abilities to display perfect acts of "boyfriendery" worthy of the teen queen herself.

• Barbie Turns 50