I collected Madame Alexander dolls as a child, a hobby my mother and I enjoyed sharing. When the company sold several years ago, they immediately began a series of endorsement deals, producing movie and pop culture tie in dolls. It probably saved the company from ruin, and a bunch of adorable dolls were created. But I always feel a little saddened because I'm pretty sure this wasn't part of Madame Alexander's vision or quality control. She was very careful about which dolls to produce every year.
So it's with dismay that I see they've launched Desperate Housewives dolls as part of their Fall 2007 couture lineup. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the show and I'm eager to see it when it premieres again this fall. But usually the Madame Alexander doll company has waited for a show to become a little more classic (like I Love Lucy) before putting out dolls based on the show. What's next, Bionic Woman dolls to promote the new TV show which may or may not even last out the season? This overcommercialization of otherwise adorable dolls just turns my stomach.
At least they redeemed themselves by creating the Jane Austen Madame Alexander doll as part of their History of Fashion line. And they've made a Jane Eyre doll too!
