The Amazing Amanda doll, frankly, scares us.

What is it about our bizarre fascination with simulacra — can anyone answer us that? That's what this Amazing Amanda doll is all about — a doll so realistic she can speak, eat, recognize her "Mommy," respond to objects, recognize her own poop (this is a function someone got paid to program?), and display emotion. Her level of self-awareness is such that she can recognize her own outfits, food and beverages, toothbrush, and the like — she knows what time it is and can remind "Mommy" about things like upcoming events. She responds to stimuli with appropriate expressions and sounds, and even says "no" when she doesn't want something — as any parent of a toddler will be familiar with (and we can't imagine why they'd pay to add more of it to their lives via simulation).

[MacPanda @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

well she scares me to. but just look at it this way, atleast she isnt possessed by the soul of charles lee ray. (for any horror movie fans out there)

[Jimbo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

one hundred years from now parents might start adopting custom made kids to their liking. hummm, i wonder what effects that will have on our society when a robot can be programmed to do things like house chores and cleaning at night and then be "nicholas", the son, or "laura", the daughter, during the day. we're looking at a whole new code of ethics. perhaps the same discussions going on today about cloning and gay marriages will be replaced by arguments in favor of child robots and those against. let's just hope that amanda isn't a reincarnated chucky. lol

[010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

they should have a battle pitting this hideous thing against the freaky ass robotic bear microsoft demonstrated a few months back.

i wouldn't set foot... let along sleep in any house that had either one of those things in it. with my luck the earth would pass through the tail of a rogue comet and they'd become sentient... a berserk violently homocidal sentience of course.

i want my robots to look like robots. (though not like the t-800 et al. or maximillian from 'the black hole' or the spider ones from 'runaway'...) thank you.

[Robo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

reminds me of the doll in the 6th day.

[glad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

chucky lives!

[Topmounter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

could the 18-year old cheerleader model be far off?

[Ian @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

if that doll comes to life and starts killing people, i'm going to be very upset.

[Whiplash @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

i don't know what these people were thinking. a doll that tells it's 5 year old mommy "no" is going to end up in pieces real quick.

[Jayson Elliot @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

okay, the line about programming the doll to recognize poop is funny, but from reading the actual press release, it's also wrong.

the only thing the press release says is that she can recognize her own "potty." i seriously doubt they meant that the doll makes poop. as far as i know, a potty is just a toilet. it makes a lot more sense that a doll for five year olds would have a toy toilet than toy poop.

[Max SMoke @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

i would like to know who uses the word "simulacra" in their daily lives? seriously dude, tell your mom to stop buying you those word of the day calendars, lest you're compeer opine that you contain your caput up your prat.

(and yes, i did use google to look up all of those words, and "simulacra" too, ya n00b!)

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

looks like a fine example of the uncanny valley at work.

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

one can only image what will happen when the sicker breed of tinkerers get ahold of one of these things and it's hacked...

"may name is 'talking tina' --- woot!"

[violajack @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

this thing is going to get into those "child development" courses in high school. right now those poor kids have to take home the crying babies. the next stage is clearly the terrible toddlers. all we had to do was not break the silly eggs.

[amyzan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

whatever happened to imagination? i remember when i was a little girl. i seemed to come up with all sorts of things that my dolly could do just using my brain. seems like all this stuff is just asking all of us to stop using creativity and pay others to just over stimulate us..

[astr0boy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

ghost in the shell, anyone?

[Finished.Law.School @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Does it know when it is being abused?

[Zerokills @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

When's the hot coffee mod come out for this one?! ;)

[Loryn Jenkins @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Would two of these dolls know whose clothes belong to whom? (Does its RFID work on unique IDs in each item, or simply unique IDs in each item-type?)

[Beverley @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

OMG! I remember when I had a doll named "Giggles" and, of course, she giggled, but she was pretty, with long, brown hair. This one...those eyes...yikes...looks like a descendant of Chucky's...Ekkkkkk! Hmmmm,then again, me wonders' if they will come out with a robot that looks like Arnold S. or Brad Pitt? Could you? Pretty please?

[Jamie @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I hate the name! I just had to say that outloud as it were. I guess the name isn't bad, but the ones I know with that name are. Just had to vent. The doll itself, weird...

[freakyman32 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Well it looks kind of freaky to me. But whats my opinion going to help, a few years from now
they will have tons of dolls like this, it will never stop...Noooooooooo!

[Too Funnt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Hey all,
Just wanted to thank you all for the laughs on your opinion about this doll. As far as referring to Chucky, etc It sounds like you have either watched too many horror shows or just have a fear of talking dolls?
I realise some people are just spooked too easily. Looks like this doll will be a hot item this year so maybe the kids are not as scared as the adults???
All in fun, hope you all find the toys you really like :)

[Too Funnt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Hey all,
Just wanted to thank you all for the laughs on your opinion about this doll. As far as referring to Chucky, etc It sounds like you have either watched too many horror shows or just have a fear of talking dolls?
I realise some people are just spooked too easily. Looks like this doll will be a hot item this year so maybe the kids are not as scared as the adults???
All in fun, hope you all find the toys you really like :)

[Mom of 4YR Old @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Just came home from Toys R' Us. This doll is priced at $99.99

YIKES!

I have a 4 year old and she wants one. I wonder how long she would play with it before it goes in the toy pile of toys I'm bored with...... pondering it for Christmas. I'm not sure we'll drop the C-Note on this one.

[tammy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

i can't wait to get this for my 9yr old. she is sycked and so aren't i. even though she is well beyoned all of the stages that this doll is to go through, she can't wait to play w/it. her aunt has one named julie from years ago and my daughter plays w/that now. hats off to modern technologhy. as for chucky have watched all of em' yeah i got spooked but they are fake it's hollywood and acting-it's called animatrotics(spelled wrong). grow up and still be a kid at the same time you only live once. and i love the fact the doll has an alarm clock my daughter is so hard to get up in the morning i can't wait for her to get this doll for christmas from santa :)

[Scott Johnson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Very scary indeed, but the kids love 'em. And amazon will get it to you quickly:
http://genericsite.info/amazon/asinsearch_B0007UB5YS/

[Jo Jo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Scary is right!Looks like those folks looking to adopt children no longer have a long wait, just run to your local toy store and get your very own. Wow. What is next?

[Susan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Prior to such advanced technology I had "Baby Alive" she ate Real baby food, drank out a bottle and YES real poop and pee. This dool had diapers that needed changing and all. But as a 40 year old today I remember this being the greatest toy I ever had!!! Thanks to technology, Maybe this doll can help them learn, at a young age, that words can change a persons emotions. So merry christmas to the thousands of little girls that want an Amazing Doll.

[Lynne @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I also am very unsure about this item. My 4 year old has it as her #2 most wanted item for Christmas. I also had a "Baby Alive" doll when I was four. However she did not talk nor did she have the intelligence to respond or recognize. The bottom line-- is "simulacra" worth it?

[lesley williams @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

OK....... Look people it is just a doll. It's not like if your child has this they will become some deranged maniac... We should be worried about what television shows they keep coming out with not toys. I ordered this for my 5yr old daughter for christmas. She doesnt think she is geting one. I cant wait for her to open it christmas morning. After we sing happy birthday to jesus as we always do. There are so many more things wrong with this world than a silly doll. Its a toy just like the teddy bear that talked and the doll my buddy. Had them both and I grew up just fine. Everyone should just get over it. I am a very cautious parent. Trust me I wouldnt buy it if I thought It would turn my daughter into some possessed lunitic. Maybe this doll could help children learn early that everyone needs love and kindness. Any doll that can say i love you is a plus for me.

Proud buyer of amazing Amanda
L Williams west virginia

[erin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Okay, well to be honest that doll scares the hell out of me. Especially on the commercial where the girl sings "toesies" with her Amazing Amanda doll, and it sounds like some satanic chant. I would never want one of those things in my house.

[kat clay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

I think amazing amanda is lovely. Im off to buy one tomorrow. My 7 year old daughter is desperate for one for christmas and i know she will get much enjoyment from it. scariest thing about it is that i will be its granny..

[bc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

bought this piece of crap for my 6 year old.paid $90.00 and think it is worth $10.00. it does not work as well as it should. it should recognize her voice but it will not. you have to reprogram it constantly.it should remember the time and date but it does not.maybe i just got one that is defective.maybe they are all like this.anyway -my daughter is very disappointed on her 6th birthday and i am ready to poke my eyes out...

[elise giri @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Well i dont have amazing amanda the quistion is why is she so much!!.

[Marianne @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Well I just put Amazing Amanda on Lay-a -way at walmart and the clerk said he was suprised I found this item b/c Walmart will no longer be purchasing them from the distributer... Makes me wonder.. is it a chrismas hoax to put everyone in a frenzy to get one or are they disapointed w/ the reviews?? Anyway, not sure whether or not to actually purchase it or take it off my lay-a-way (very expensive) I would like to hear reviews from someone who has one. Please and thanx!

[Beverly @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Ok, Ok, Almost everyone is against Amazing Amanda. Take it from someone who knows first hand. I was skeptical at first (mostly the price.) Wasn't sure if she was worth that much. But my little girl really wanted one for her 9th birthday. We decided to get her one. It was a total surprise when she opened it up. She has had it now for 3 weeks and she hasn't put it down. She takes it everywhere. We have only had to program it the first day. It recognizes her voice everytime. I've heard people say that it wouldn't recognize their child. I do know that when you are setting this doll up for your child, you have to let her (your daughter) be the one to talk into it. And have her talk in a normal voice just like if she were talking to you. This will make a big difference. Maybe some of you just got a defective one. Ours works great. Hope I have helped some of you with questions about this. Happy Holidays To All Of You!
God Bless.....B Jones

[Kathy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

My daughter loved Amazing Amy to death....lol. She wanted Amanda for her birthday but Grandpa would dish 100.00. So tonight , yup, Santa got the doll. Got her for 20% off too. My daughter will be thrilled and a wonderful Mommy. We have also gone through three Miracle Moves Dolls. If the kid plays with it....then the money isn't an issue.

[Elizabeth @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

target has this great doll on sale for only 79.99 my granddaughters will be thrilled Christmas morning. And as for being compared to chucky PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

[Pat Peterson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

WoW! This is just amazing to me because when I was a little girl (way back when) I use to talk to the dolls and we would have a two way conversation. Well, this is what my grandaughter wants for Christmas so grandmom is on the way to pick Amazing Amanda up!

[Alfreda Roberts @ Dec 19th 2005 1:24AM]

Good mornig, I just wanted to let you know that I am African American and my nine year old daughter wants to get Amazing Amanda for Christmas, but all of the stores in Georgia either haven't received any or the new shipments only consists of causian dolls. Why? On the internet, why does the African Amercan version cost morethan the caucasian? Why? Is it that discriminating? Makes me question the maker/company. I am sure ther are some other AA that feel the same way, and is just not sure how or where to go to address this.

[Stuart Cracraft @ Dec 22nd 2005 4:36PM]

I bought an Amanda doll from Walmart.com for my twin girls. One takes more to dolls than the other.



I found after 15 minutes of setting up Amanda I was

getting strangely attached to Amanda myself.



I do not think Amanda is scary at all. They already have a singing/talking brown-bear from Cost-Co and a singing polar bear as well. Those two move limbs, unlike Amanda. But they don't have limited speech recognition like Amanda.



I think my girls will like Amanda a lot. We'll know in a couple more days. Don't open until Xmas.

[Cami @ Dec 22nd 2005 10:06PM]

I got my daughter this doll for christmas and I can't wait for her to open it. I have shown it to all my friends abd co-workers and they can wait for her to open it so we all can play :) Amanda look like she will be soooooo much fun the African American one is pretty she doesn't look as weird

[Lee @ Dec 25th 2005 1:22PM]

Santa brought Amazing Amanda to my 6 year old daughter and she hasn't put her down since. She has a few glitches, she sometimes has a hard time recognizing her voice which can become annoying but Amanda quickly moves on and continues to play. The set up is quick and painless and i would recommend this doll to any child who loves dolls.

[AMS @ Dec 26th 2005 11:05AM]

YOU THINK THAT'S SCARY, YOU SHOULD SEE HER CHEEKS SUCK IN WHEN SHE SMILES. THE ORIGINAL DOLL DID NOT DO THAT.

[Tina @ Dec 27th 2005 12:19PM]

My 2 year old got one of these for Christmas (no, not from me) and she gets so frustrated with it. Half the time she doesn't "hear" you and the other half, she does what she wants to anyway. Yep, just like a real child :) All in all, it's okay, but a bit eerie to say the least.

[Hilda Perez @ Dec 28th 2005 11:30AM]

after reading all the bad reviews, I remembered they

came from adults. My grandaughter loves her doll.

[c fades @ Dec 28th 2005 11:51AM]

ok hello people its a TOY why can't we just let children be happy and PLAY with out critisizing EVERYTHING! I know 5 children with this doll and they LOVE it, it ENCOURAGES play. HELLO are people so lame and pathetic they have nothing better to do than put down a CHILDS toy?!?! GET A LIFE

[secret @ Dec 28th 2005 9:17PM]

i dont really like this toy but my cusine does she even wants to it i think the amanda doll is soo scary that bacause if they can program her to hold spoon so she can eat maybe just maybe she can hold a knife and kill every one i just think no one wants amanda i've search amazing amanda i so some said it scared them too, and i dont like dolls cuz when i'm a kid the movie chuckie scared me off my socks i don't like so realistic doll

[christy @ Dec 29th 2005 12:31AM]

our 8 year old just got this doll for christmas and she loves it. i'm terrified of it but she loves it and thats all that matters. she hasn't stopped playing with it since she got it and yes she still uses her imagination.

[Jeaniece @ Jan 6th 2006 12:34PM]

My daughter is seven years old and she received Amazing Amanda for Christmas and it is a cute doll. She does not poop, just has sensory areas and knows when she is put on the potty. You just hear the sound effects, both pee and poop......lol. She is now my daughter's alarm clock to get out of bed before school. Come on people. Let the kids enjoy it!