Auto-Train spotted! (Auto-Train commercial, 1976)
“It’s the most gracious train service America has seen since the golden age of railroad travel.”
Time to board our Daily 70s Spot. Today we have a commercial for the Auto-Train (Washington D.C. area) with “luxury service to Florida.” The Auto-Train carries your vehicle right along with you. Spot aired in December of 1976. ‘Boooard!
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Mardi Gras Paper Towels (1973)
Rich Little as Johnny Carson (‘The Rich Little Show,’ 1976)
The Rich Little Show originally ran Monday evenings on NBC, February through July, 1976. The one-hour comedy-variety show starred impressionist Rich Little (as one or two of you may have already guessed) who would begin each episode with a monologue and introduce that week’s guests.
Guests on The Rich Little Show‘s brief stint included; The Jackson 5, Bill Cosby, Ron Howard, Bernadette Peters and Andy Griffith. Show regulars included; Joe Baker, Julie McWhirter, Mel Bishop, R.G. Brown and Charlotte Rae.
There’s very little of the show up on YouTube (though the complete series is available on DVD) but below we have two hearty clips for you to enjoy – a typical Little opening monologue and Little’s duet with Bing Crosby (featuring Bob Hope cameos).
The Rich Little Show Wiki, IMDb
Previously on Show Toppers: ‘Born Free’ (NBC, 1974)
Psst, buddy. Wanna buy a paper towel? (Mardi Gras commercial, 1973)
“The towel that does more for your kitchen than just clean it up.”
Time to spill our Daily 70s Spot on the kitchen counter. Here’s a colorful commercial for Mardi Gras paper towels. You’ve never seen such beautiful paper towels. No, really. That’s the pitch. Spot aired in February of 1973.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Ford LTD Brougham (1972)
Thanks, Merv, for calling my comedy ‘vile’ (Steve Martin on ‘The Merv Griffin Show,’ 1979)
Here’s a few minutes of humorous history yanked from The Merv Griffin Show on the afternoon of November 13, 1979. It’s Steve Martin promoting his just-released film, The Jerk, his best-selling book, Cruel Shoes and his hit L.P., Comedy Is Not Pretty. The man was on fire with success.
Try to ignore the onscreen text and Merv Griffin advertising and enjoy the moment.
Jag or Brougham – you make the call (Ford commercial, 1972)
“Quiet is the sound of a well-made car.”
Let’s push our Daily 70s Spot down the hill and get things jump-started. Here’s a commercial for the 1973 Ford LTD Brougham with a comparison to the Jaguar. Spot aired in November of 1972.
*Note: The LTD spokesman looks a lot like Gavin MacLeod, but after watching a Mary Tyler Moore episode from the mid-70s and comparing a number of photos, I’ve decided the actor just looks a hell of a lot like Captain Stubing, but isn’t him. If you feel differently let me know.
*UPDATE: Astute Bionic Disco reader, Steve H. has identified the actor as Alan Oppenheimer, whom you may remember from The Six Million Dollar Man. That’s it! Thanks, Steve.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Amana Radarange With Barbara Hale (1976)
Includes ‘Cookmatic’ AND ‘Touchmatic’ technology! (Amana Radarange commercial, 1976)
“If it doesn’t say Amana, it’s not a Radarange.”
Time to cook up a hot and delicious Daily 70s Spot in a matter of mere seconds. Today we have an Amana Radarange microwave oven commercial. The spokesperson is actress Barbara Hale of Perry Mason fame. Spot aired in December of 1976.
Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Gillette Trac II Razor (1978)