For Love, Or Money? Barbie and Ken Pull a Jessica and Nick—in Reverse

It seems strangely fitting in a world driven by numbers-crunchers that after a two-year split, that couple for the ages: Ken and Barbie, are back together again.

She might be telling Ken that it’s all about shared experiences and he might be telling Barbie that the world without her was just not a happy place; but it appears that this reunion is more about the ring of cash registers than the ring of commitment.

Relationship experts, Martin and Josie Brown, whose book “Marriage Confidential: 102 Honest Answers to the Questions Every Husband Wants to Ask, and Every Wife Needs to Know,” [www.josiebrown.com] have seen this scenario before, and they think it’s a slippery slope to disaster.

“Staying together because you can’t afford to live separately, or because you’re not motivated to try things on your own, will eventually mean another split down the road—or many years of regret for having wasted all that time. There’s only one good reason to reunite, and that’s because you have a real soul connection, one where you know that you’re better together than you ever were apart,” says Josie Brown.

Martin Brown adds: “Clearly what’s driving this is reunion is the thought that their sales have slumped, and it’s time to shake up the brand. But just like Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, they’ll soon learn that a lasting relationship is based on love, commitment, trust, and respect—but certainly not money.”

Another telltale sign of trouble, Josie notes, is Ken’s new look. “Before he was buff, but now he’s over the top! His new jawline, washboard abs, that fancy hair and desiger duds—that’s what caught Barbie’s eye again. But after a few months, she’ll wake up to the heartbreak that this guy is still empty inside.”

Martin agrees. “What they should be doing now is taking things slow, talking things out, ideally through counseling. I wonder: has Mattel considered a ‘Dr. Phil’ doll?”