Eighties Week: Betty Crocker, Orbit Gum, Orville Redenbacher, Parkay Commercials (1980-81)

“Bake someone happy!”

Happy what’s left of the weekend! Eighties Week has rolled around again and we’re dipping into 1980 and ’81. The commercials found below feature Betty Crocker and the “Bake Someone Happy” theme, Orbit Sugar Free Gum, good ol’ Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, and Parkay Margarine (with Parley Baer). Everything is edible. You can even eat the dishes.*

*Don’t eat the dishes.

BETTY CROCKER ‘BAKE SOMEONE HAPPY’ COMMERCIAL (1980)

Betty Crocker SuperMoist Cake Mix and Creamy Deluxe Frosting commercial featuring the ‘Bake Someone Happy’ song. Spot aired September 1980.

ORBIT SUGAR FREE GUM COMMERCIAL (1980)

Orbit Sugar Free Chewing Gum commercial featuring a ‘sweet things’ theme. Spot aired September 1980.

ORVILLE REDENBACHER’S GOURMET POPPING CORN COMMERCIAL (1981)

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn commercial featuring Mr. Redenbacher and a ‘budget-minded’ family. Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in ’80).

PARKAY MARGARINE ‘BUTTER!’ COMMERCIAL (1981)

Parkay Margarine commercial featuring the famous talking tub (VO by Michael Bell). The onscreen actor is Parley Baer. Spot aired January 1981 (produced in 1979).

Previously on Eighties Week: Chef Boyardee, Kal Kan, Kraft Mac & Cheese, CBS Promos (1980-81)

More Betty Crocker: 70s Commercials: Doritos With Avery Schreiber, Betty Crocker, Pepsi Light, Kraft (1978-79)

More Orville Redenbacher: 70s Commercials: Frosting Supreme, Campbell’s Chunky Soup, ‘Miss USA,’ Orville Redenbacher (1979)

More Parkay: Sunday 70s Spots: Kraft Parkay Margarine & Spaghetti Meals (1974)

70s Commercials: ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Premiere, Glad Bags, Mercury Zephyr Wagons, Efferdent (1977-78)

“The greatest space adventure ever filmed!”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We’re plopping down on the living room sofa and tuning into 1977 and ’78 for this installment of classic commercials. First up, an ABC promo for the premiere of Battlestar Galactica. Following that, you’ll find spots for Glad 2-Ply Trash Bags, the Mercury Zephyr Wagon, and Efferdent.

I was 12-years-old when Battlestar Galactica premiered and I eagerly watched and enjoyed. It was the closest thing we had to Star Wars on TV and I got hooked in. Anyone remember talking into spinning fan-blades to imitate the sound of a Cylon warrior? “By your command!”

‘BATTLESTAR GALACTICA’ SERIES PREMIERE PROMO (1978)

ABC promo for the TV movie ‘Lassie – The New Beginning’ and the three-hour debut of the original ‘Battlestar Galactica’ series. Narration by Ernie Anderson. Spot aired September 1978.

GLAD 2-PLY TRASH BAGS COMMERCIAL (1978)

Glad 2-Ply Trash Bags commercial featuring a jingle based on the song ‘Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit-Bag.’ The actor with the glasses is David Landsberg. Narration by Michael Bell. Spot aired September 1978.

’78 MERCURY ZEPHYR WAGONS COMMERCIAL (1977)

1978 model Lincoln-Mercury Zephyr Wagons commercial with a comparison to Volaré and Aspen. Spot aired December 1977.

EFFERDENT COMMERCIAL (1977)

Extra-Strength Efferdent Denture Cleanser commercial featuring a demonstration and testimonial. Spot aired January 1977 (likely produced in ’76).

Previously on 70s Commercials: Evel Knievel For AMF, Atari, Right Guard, Clorox (1975-76)

More Battlestar Galactica: Show Toppers: ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (1978)

More Glad: 70s Commercials: Glad Bags, Aquafilter, Subaru, Close-Up (1972-75)

More Mercury: 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Catherine Deneuve For Mercury, Tin Can Alley, Admiral TVs, Miller (1977)

More Efferdent: Daily 70s Spot: Efferdent Denture Cleaner (1970)

70s Commercials: Evel Knievel For AMF, Atari, Right Guard, Clorox (1975-76)

“Built solid. Flashy and hip…”

Back to the Seventies today with a quartet of commercials circa 1975-76. In pole position, we have Evel Knievel and his line of AMF kid’s bikes. After that, take a loving look at spots for the Atari Super Pong console, Right Guard (with Arte Johnson), and Clorox Bleach.

AMF EVEL KNIEVEL BICYCLES COMMERCIAL (1976)

AMF Roadmaster ‘Wheel Goods’ commercial featuring Evel Knievel and Evel Knievel bicycles and tricycles. Spot aired circa 1975-1976.

ATARI SUPER PONG CONSOLE COMMERCIAL (1976)

Atari four-color Super Pong console commercial featuring actor Bill Fiore as the dad. Spot aired December 1976.

RIGHT GUARD ‘DOUBLE PROTECTION’ COMMERCIAL (ARTE JOHNSON, 1976)

Right Guard antiperspirant spray and roll-on commercial featuring actor-comedian Arte Johnson (‘Laugh-In’). Spot aired May 1976.

CLOROX BLEACH ‘BLOUSE RIP’ COMMERCIAL (1975)

Clorox Bleach commercial featuring a blouse ripped apart and comparison washed. Spot aired June 1975.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Imperial Margarine, PSA Airlines, Liquid Gold, Farah Slacks (1973-76)

More Evel Knievel: An Evel Knievel Moment: Kings Island 14 Bus Jump

More AMF: 70s Spots: Animated AMF Sports Equipment (Judy Graubart, 1979)

More Atari: Super 70s Ads: Atari’s Qwak! Arcade Game (1974)

More Right Guard: 70s Spots: Right Guard (Parker Stevenson, 1971) & Dial Antiperspirant (1974)

More Clorox: Daily 70s Spot: Clorox Bleach ‘Clean Sneakers’ (Late 1970s)

Sixties Week: Pontiac Grand Prix, Alpo, Listerine, Amaze-A-Matics (1968-69)

“Break away!”

Sixties Week continues (and finishes for now) with four commercials from 1968 and ’69. First up, the “new” Pontiac Grand Prix. Following that, groovy spots for Alpo dog food, Listerine mouthwash (with Clifton Davis), and Amaze-a-Matics toy racers. Can you dig it?

’69 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX COMMERCIAL (1968)

1969 model Pontiac Grand Prix car commercial featuring ‘a cockpit that looks like it belongs in a supersonic jet.’ Spot aired October 1968.

ALPO DOG FOOD COMMERCIAL (1968)

Alpo dog food commercial featuring Beef, Chicken, Horse Meat, Liver, Lamb, and Veal varieties. Spot aired August 1968.

LISTERINE ‘ROCK ‘N’ ROLL’ COMMERCIAL (1969)

Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash commercial featuring a groovy rock band. The guitar player is Clifton Davis (‘That’s My Mama’). Narration by Peter Thomas. Spot aired circa 1969.

AMAZE-A-MATICS TOY RACE CARS COMMERCIAL (1969)

Hasbro Amaze-A-Matics toy race cars commercial featuring the Chevrolet Astrovette, Buick Century Cruiser, Chrysler Charger, and Ford MK IV models. Spot aired circa 1969.

Previously on Sixties Week: Libby’s Pineapple, Clark’s Gum, Rolaids, Eastern Airlines Commercials (1965-68)

More Pontiac: Bold, Lancers, Dial Deodorant, Pontiac Commercials (1968-69)

More Alpo: 70s Spots: Alpo Dog Food (Lorne Greene) & Meow Mix (1976)

More Listerine: 70s Spots: Listerine Mouthwash & Cold Tablets (1970)

More toy race cars: 70s Spots: Mattel Race Cars (1971) & Skittle Tac-Toe (1972)

Sixties Week: Libby’s Pineapple, Clark’s Gum, Rolaids, Eastern Airlines Commercials (1965-68)

“Something good is always cooking at Libby’s.”

Sixties Week is back! In the first batch, you’ll find classic commercials for Eastern Airlines, Libby’s Sliced Pineapple, Clark’s Gum, and Rolaids. I do hope they float your boat.

EASTERN AIRLINES COMMERCIAL (1965)

Eastern Airlines commercial featuring Whisperjet planes on the airport tarmac. Narration by Alexander Scourby. Spot aired November 1965.

LIBBY’S SLICED PINEAPPLE COMMERCIAL (1966)

Libby’s ‘new’ Sliced Pineapple commercial featuring ‘20% less sugar.’ Narrator is likely Hank Simms. Spot aired in 1966.

CLARK’S GUM COMMERCIAL (1967)

Clark’s chewing gum commercial featuring Cinnamint, Teaberry, and Peppermint flavors. Narrator is likely Danny Dark. Spot aired in 1967.

ROLAIDS ‘FAST ACTION’ COMMERCIAL (1968)

Rolaids antacid mints commercial featuring an animated demonstration. Spot aired August 1968.

Previously on Sixties Week: Bold, Lancers, Dial Deodorant, Pontiac Commercials (1968-69)

More Eastern Airlines: 70s Spots: Eastern Airlines (1974) & American Airlines (1977)

More Libby’s: 70s Spots: Libby’s Juice & Chunky Fruits (1974 & ’78)

More Rolaids: 70s Commercials: Safeguard Soap, Rolaids, Harveys Bristol Cream, ‘Marcus Welby’ (1970-71)

70s Commercials: Imperial Margarine, PSA Airlines, Liquid Gold, Farah Slacks (1973-76)

“You can’t get closer to butter.”

A very merry President’s Day to you! Let’s get updated here with some vintage commercials from the years 1973 through 1976. In reverse chronological order, you’ll enjoy spots for PSA Airlines, Imperial Margarine (with Eve Arden), Liquid Gold, and Farah Slacks.

I flew on PSA Airlines numerous times as a kid. The planes had a smiley face painted on the nose. It was a California thing.

RARE PSA AIRLINES COMMERCIAL (1976)

California-based PSA Airlines (Pacific Southwest Airlines) commercial featuring a well-known jingle. Spot aired December 1976.

IMPERIAL MARGARINE ‘TASTE TEST’ COMMERCIAL (EVE ARDEN, 1975)

Imperial Margarine commercial featuring actor-spokesperson Eve Arden conducting a supermarket blind taste test. Spot aired July 1975.

LIQUID GOLD ‘GOOD FOR YOUR WOOD’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

Scott’s Liquid Gold wood care treatment commercial featuring a British woodcrafter. Spot aired March 1974.

70S STYLE: FARAH SLACKS COMMERCIAL (1973)

Farah Slacks commercial featuring a friendly tailor. Spot aired November 1973.

Previously on 70s Commercials: Disney Action Viewer, Cling Free, Presto Frypan, Square Off Board Game (1972)

More Imperial Margarine: 70s Commercials: ‘Brady Bunch’ Promo, Continental Airlines, Imperial Margarine, Excedrin (1973-76)

More Liquid Gold: 70s Commercials: Curad Bandages, Liquid Gold, FTD Florists, Long Distance (1973)

More Farah fashions: Sunday 70s Spots: Farah Slacks & Ship ‘N Shore Shirts (1975 & ’79)