Bionic Disco

Eighties Week: Freedent Gum, Tropicana OJ, Kibbles ‘N Bits, CBS Evening TV Commercials (1981)

Posted on March 31, 2024 by David Moore

“The pleasure sticks, the gum won’t.”

Alrighty, let’s finish up this edition of Eighties Week with a quartet of commercials from 1981. You’ll enjoy spots for Freedent Gum, Tropicana Orange Juice, Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food, and lastly, a CBS promo for The Incredible Hulk, The Dukes of Hazzard, and Dallas.

WRIGLEY’S FREEDENT GUM COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Wrigley’s Freedent chewing gum commercial featuring a woman at an art gallery. Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in 1980).}

TROPICANA ORANGE JUICE COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Tropicana Orange Juice commercial featuring actor Stephen Furst (‘Animal House’). Spot aired January 1981 (likely produced in 1980). Narration by John Bartholomew Tucker.}

KIBBLES ‘N BITS DOG FOOD COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Ken-L-Ration Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food commercial featuring a well-known slogan. Spot aired October 1981.}

‘HULK’/’DUKES’/’DALLAS’ PROMO (1981)

_{CBS evening line-up promo featuring ‘The Incredible Hulk,’ ‘The Dukes of Hazzard,’ and ‘Dallas’ TV series. Spot aired October 1981.}

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

More Freedent: 70s Commercials: Triumph Spitfire, Freedent Gum, Nice ‘N Easy, Hardee’s (1977-78)

More Tropicana: 70s Commercials: Tropicana, RCA TVs, Campbell’s Soup, Vicks Cough Drops (1972-73)

More CBS TV: Daily 70s Spot #510: ‘Challenge Of The Sexes’ CBS Promo (1977)

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

Posted on March 24, 2024 by David Moore

“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)

Posted on March 17, 2024 by David Moore

“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)

Posted on March 10, 2024 by David Moore

“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)

Posted on March 3, 2024 by David Moore

“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)

Posted on February 25, 2024 by David Moore

“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)