Joan, Roger, Don and Betty in their Barbie-fied State (Click to Image Enlarge)

This news is mind-blowing on so many levels, I can hardly think where to begin, but basically what’s happening is that Mattel Toys has officially licensed characters from the best TV show ever in the Universe of all time, Mad Men to become limited-edition, collectible Barbie and Ken dolls. You can read all about the Mad Men Barbies at This Link, but first I would like to point out my personal-favorite few sentences of the entire article:

“The pairing of Barbie and Mad Men is more interesting than the typical licensing agreement, because of their shared history. Barbie was introduced in March 1959, and the first episode of Mad Men is set in March 1960.

“Mad Men represents so beautifully the universe that created Barbie,” said Robert Thompson, professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University, “because the series is about the selling of the American consumer society.” The personification of Betty Draper as Barbie is particularly resonant, Mr. Thompson said, because she represents “the wife who lives in her dream house whose soul is eaten away.”

So awesome. The dolls will retail for $74.95 each.