Losing Interest

With daily newspapers, television and radio all making Gordon Brown's promise of a state funeral for Mrs. Margaret Thatcher sound more like a threat, I've refrained from commenting on the financial crisis. However, glancing at a recent issue of the splendidly informative and entertaining current affairs periodical Private Eye (no.1222), a copy of a clipping from the rules of the game of Monopoly took my notice:

"Q. What happens if the Bank runs out of money?

A. The bank never goes bankrupt. To continue playing, use slips of paper to keep track of each player's banking transactions - until the bank has enough paper money to operate again."

So the answer to the current financial crisis was in the rules of Monopoly all along.

Budding, entrepreneurial games inventors need not lose confidence due to the lack of spending money or willingness to spend it, because the highly successful Monopoly was released during the 1930s depression. Board games provided a relatively inexpensive form of at entertainment; for those whom had to shy away from lavish restaurants and the theatre.

Whilst Father Christmas will do his utmost not to disappoint, the toy industry is also likely to decline over the next year or two. After last year's numerous toy recalls, many toy manufacturers will have to absorb the increased cost of carrying-out better safety and quality control, this will make many Chinese toy factories unprofitable; brand name suppliers and consumers will refuse to pay higher prices so these factories will close.

This time I suspect those bright upstarts in the video games industry (especially makers of Nintendo software) will be raking it in from a new surge in demand for entertainment that saves us from tipping in restaurants, taxi fares and getting tipsy at theatre prices.

Barbie for Change We Can Believe In

I'm not one to regularly discuss politics as a Toy Detective, especially the politics of the former colonies (did I just hear a shotgun go off in the distance?).

However, having flicked through the Toy R US (USA) Big Book of Toys I feel I must mention a special version of the world's most famous fashion doll: Barbie for President 2008 (exclusive to Toys R Us).

This Barbie wears a smart blue pinstripe twin-set and has the chattering class work-essentials, such as, a mobile telephone and a laptop computer. For those fund-raising evenings, an elegant pink evening gown with necklace, shoes and a handbag to go with it are also included. I can't quite fathom why a dog in a hat sits at her feet.

There are 3 versions of Barbie for President: "African American", "Brunette American" and the familiar "Blonde American". So not only has Mattel tried advance the cause of equality between the sexes, these dolls also advance the cause for equality amongst different races and more radically - hair colour.

Toy tie-ins with the US Presidential contest are not unusual. There were the much sought after Ty Beanie Babies: Lefty and Righty in various versions, based upon the donkey and elephant mascots of the major US political parties.

Ms. Barbie Millicent Roberts, is a most eligible candidate for President. Not only is she popular much of the world over, during the late 1980s and early 1990s Barbie served in the Army, Navy and Air Force; by appearing in a series of military theme dolls, Stars 'n Stripes. 

Despite these proven diplomatic and patriotic credentials I'm afraid to say though, that this Presidential race like all before it will again be a case of, may the best man win.