The My Buddy doll line was a toy brand made by Hasbro in 1985 with the intention of making a doll to appeal to little boys and teach them about caring for their friends. This idea was both innovative and controversial for its time, as toy dolls were traditionally associated with younger girls. Hasbro also introduced a companion Kid Sister marketed toward girls. Hasbro discontinued the line before the start of the 1990s and Playskool took over production, making changes to the likeness and clothing.
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My Buddy is one of several dolls said to be the inspiration for Chucky, the evil doll from Child's Play
Hasbro
During its initial run, My Buddy had the following characteristics:
Two versions of the dolls existed: the brunette version described above, and a blonde version:
An African American version, outfitted the same as the brunette Caucasian doll, was available.
Playskool
The dolls released by Playskool in the 1990s were made with unremovable clothing sewn directly onto the doll's body. The new Kid Sister was also released with clothes sewn onto the body, despite complaints, making it virtually impossible to dress it in different outfits. This was done to reduce the extra cost of having to produce clothes separately, so it was all kept on one assembly line.
Advertising
The "official" song used in marketing the doll in advertisements was:
"My Buddy, My Buddy, Wherever I go, he goes. My Buddy, My Buddy, I'll teach him everything that I know.
My Buddy and me, Like to climb up a tree. My buddy and me, We're the best friends that could be.
My Buddy, My Buddy, My Buddy and Me!"
In popular culture
The doll was jokingly depicted as My Stalker in an episode of Adult Swim's Robot Chicken.
The doll was parodied in Clarence as Clarence's Lil Buddy doll, in an episode of the same name.
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