“Newton Minnow takes another look at television…”

Happy 2026! In recognition of a new year, we’re dialing back to 1976 and presenting a quartet of commercials set to celebrate 50-year-anniversaries. Good grief, who set the decades on fast-forward?

Have a look and listen to spots for TV Guide magazine, Spoon Size Shredded Wheat cereal, Chevy Fleetwood pickup trucks, and Ban Basic antiperspirant. That theme music for TV Guide really brings back the memories. It’s indelibly etched in my mind. How about yours?

‘TV GUIDE’ MAGAZINE COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{‘TV Guide’ weekly magazine commercial featuring an interview with Newton Minnow, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. Spot aired October 1976.}

SPOON SIZE SHREDDED WHEAT CEREAL COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Nabisco Spoon Size Shredded Wheat cereal commercial comparing sugar levels in competing cereals. Spot aired October 1976.}

CHEVY FLEETSIDE PICKUP COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Chevrolet Fleetside Pickup Truck commercial featuring a carbide-tipped saw and narration by singer Tom T. Hall. Spot aired May 1976.}

BAN BASIC SPRAY COMMERCIAL (1976)

_{Ban Basic Antiperspirant Spray commercial featuring testimonials from the public in Sonoma, California. Spot aired April 1976.}

Previously on 70s Spots: (Holidays): NyQuil Santa, Sonac, Dooley’s, Ornamental Ice (1972-79)

More TV Guide: 70s Spots: TV Guide ‘Bicentennial Issue’ & Youthair Dye (Phil Foster, 1975)

More Spoon Size Shredded Wheat: Daily 70s Spot: Spoon Size Shredded Wheat Cereal (1972)

More Chevy Pickups: 70s Commercials: CBS ‘Lookin’ Good,’ Sani-Flush Mascot, Chevy Trucks, Wilkinson (1979)

More Ban: 70s Commercials: Continental Airlines, Dawn Liquid, ’77 GM, Ultra Ban (1976)