Bionic Disco

80s Commercials: Chef Boyardee, Today’s Girl, Western Airlines, Pabst, A1, Hidden Valley Ranch, Nature Valley, Hardee’s (1980-83)

Posted on March 29, 2026 by David Moore

“It’s everything you like all rolled up into one!”

All right, Bionic time travelers – Now that we’ve had our fill of the Sixties, lets dive into 80s Week!

From the top of the decade in 1980, we’ve got commercials for Chef Boyardee Cannelloni, Today’s Girl Pantyhose, Western Airlines, and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.

From 1981, you can spy spots for A1 Steak Sauce (with James Murtaugh), Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (with Helen Kleeb), and Nature Valley Light & Crunchy Granola Snack.

And, last but not least, from 1983, a spot for Hardee’s featuring Marvel Comics superheroes. Have a look-see!

CHEF BOYARDEE CANNELLONI COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Chef Boyardee Cannelloni In Meat Sauce commercial featuring a mom cooking for her family. Spot aired September 1980.}

TODAY’S GIRL PANTYHOSE COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Hanes Hosiery Today’s Girl Pantyhose commercial featuring a $1.19 price point. Spot aired September 1980.}

WESTERN AIRLINES COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Western Airlines commercial featuring new flights to London. Spot aired October 1980.}

PABST BLUE RIBBON BEER COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer commercial featuring a ‘spirit’ theme. Spot aired October 1980.}

A1 STEAK SAUCE COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{A1 Steak Sauce commercial featuring actor James Murtaugh. Spot aired October 1981.}

HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH DRESSING COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing commercial featuring Original and Vintage Herb flavors and a secretive grandmother (Helen Kleeb). Spot aired October 1981.}

NATURE VALLEY LIGHT & CRUNCHY GRANOLA SNACK COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{General Mills Nature Valley Light & Crunchy Granola Snack commercial featuring blond Californians at the beach. Spot aired October 1981.}

HARDEE’S ‘3-D THEATRE MEAL’ COMMERCIAL (1983)

_{Hardee’s fast food restaurant commercial featuring 3-D Theatre Meals and animated Marvel characters; Spider-Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Spider-Woman, and more. Spot aired in 1983.}

Previously on 80s Commercials: Pabst Beer (Daniels & Washington), L’eggs, Jell-O, ‘Fame,’ Lysol, Meow Mix, IBM, Crispix (1980-83)

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

More Western Airlines: Daily 70s Spot: Western Airlines ‘Lion Tamer’ commercial (1975)

More Pabst: Daily70s Spot: Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer ‘Gay ’90s’ (1973)

More A1 Steak Sauce: 70s Commercials: Andy Griffith For A1, Max-Pax Coffee, Recipe Dog Food, Valvoline (1973)

More Hidden Valley Dressing: Daily 70s Spot: Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing (late 1970s)

More Nature Valley: 70s Spots: Nature Valley Granola Bars (Moosie Drier, 1976)

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

60s Commercials: Post Cereals, Rambler, Camay, Ultra Brite, Wish-Bone, Mr. Potato Head, Micrin (1966-69)

Posted on March 21, 2026 by David Moore

“Everything’s Archie!”

Hello, Bionic faithful! Thanks for hangin’ on while life and the day job have been keeping me overly-busy. Let me lay a double-post on you and welcome you to Sixties Week! A real grab bag of wonderment awaits.

From the ’65-’66 era we have commercials for Post Toasties Corn Flakes (with Gomer Pyle‘s Jim Nabors, Ronnie Schell, and Andy Griffith) and American Motors’ Rambler Rogue.

From 1968, you’ll find spots for Camay soap, Ultra Brite toothpaste (with “supermodel” Cheryl Tiegs), Wish-Bone dressing, and more Post Cereals, this time with an “Everything’s Archie” focus.

Finally, circa 1969, we have spots for Micrin mouthwash and the Mr. Potato Head toy. Have at ’em!

POST TOASTIES CORN FLAKES CEREAL COMMERCIAL (‘GOMER PYLE,’ MID-1960S)

_{Post Toasties Corn Flakes cereal commercial featuring Jim Nabors, Ronnie Schell, and Andy Griffith of ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ and ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’ Spot aired in the mid-1960s (best guess 1965-67).}

’67 RAMBLER ROGUE COMMERCIAL (AMERICAN MOTORS, 1966)

_{American Motors Rambler Rogue car commercial featuring a circus theme. Spot aired Fall1966 – early 1967.}

CAMAY SOAP COMMERCIAL (1968)

_{Pink Camay Soap commercial featuring a woman washing her face. Spot aired circa 1968.}

ULTRA BRITE TOOTHPASTE COMMERCIAL (CHERYL TIEGS, 1968)

_{Ultra Brite Toothpaste commercial featuring a young Cheryl Tiegs. Spot aired October 1968.}

WISH-BONE SALAD DRESSINGS COMMERCIAL (1968)

_{Wish-Bone Salad Dressings commercial featuring Italian and Creamy Onion varieties. Spot aired August 1968.}

POST CEREALS ‘EVERYTHING’S ARCHIE!’ COMMERCIAL (1968)

_{Post Cereals commercial featuring comic book and animated series characters The Archies and Alpha-Bits, Honeycomb, Super Sugar Crisp, Rice Krinkles, and Crispy Critters cereals. Spot aired circa 1968.}

MICRIN MOUTHWASH COMMERCIAL (ANIMATED, 1969)

_{Animated Micrin Oral Antiseptic Mouthwash commercial. Spot aired January 1969 (likely produced in ’68). Audio is single-channel.}

MR. POTATO HEAD TOY COMMERCIAL (1969)

_{Hasbro Mr. Potato Head toy commercial featuring Donald Duck and Bozo the Clown packs (and a peek at Oscar the Orange and Pete the Pepper). Spot aired circa 1969.}

Previously on 60s Commercials: Sandy’s Burgers, Quisp, Thermo King, Pepto-Bismol, Adolph’s, Playtex, Head & Shoulders, Dial (1966-69)

More Post Cereals: 70s Spots: Post Honeycomb Cereal (The Hulk, 1977)

More American Motors: Rad Ads: American Motors’ Hornet Sportabout Wagon (1972)

More Cheryl Tiegs: 70s Spots: Clairol (Cheryl Tiegs) & Eveready (Robert Conrad) (1978)

More Wish-Bone: Daily 70s Spot: Wish-Bone Italian Dressing (1978)

More Hasbro toys: 70s Commercials: Kraft Butter Mints, Screwball Toy, Drano, Vanquish (1972)

70s Commercials: Jell-O, Polaroid With Morgan Freeman, Arrid, VW Bus (1974-77)

Posted on February 16, 2026 by David Moore

“When you’ve got it made – you’ve got it made.”

Another batch of tasty Seventies commercials incoming. This quartet originally aired from 1974 to 1977. First up, a spot for Jell-O featuring a “luncheon salad” and narration by Peter Thomas.

After that beauty, enjoy commercials for the Polaroid SX-70 camera (with Morgan Freeman), Arrid Double-X antiperspirant (with Paul Dooley), and the Volkswagen Bus.

JELL-O COMMERCIAL (1977)

_{General Foods Jell-O Gelatin commercial featuring a luncheon salad and ‘refreshing dessert.’ Narration by Peter Thomas. Spot aired May 1977.}

POLAROID CAMERA COMMERCIAL (MORGAN FREEMAN, 1976)

_{Polaroid Deluxe SX-70 Land Camera commercial featuring actor Morgan Freeman. Narrator may be Cliff Robertson. Spot aired May 1976.}

ARRID DOUBLE-X ANTIPERSPIRANT COMMERCIAL (PAUL DOOLEY, 1975)

_{Arrid XX Antiperspirant commercial featuring actor Paul Dooley. Spot aired August 1975.}

VOLKSWAGEN BUS COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{Volkswagen Bus commercial featuring a film crew in the desert. Spot aired April 1974.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Joy, Betty Crocker Cakes, Uncle Ben’s, Charmin (1970-73)

More Jell-O: 70s Commercials: Diet Rite Cola, Jell-O, Shower Massage, ‘Bingo Long All-Stars’ (1976)

More Polaroid: 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Fab, Schlitz, Polaroid, United Airlines (1971-76)

More Morgan Freeman: 70s Commercials: Morgan Freeman For Sure, Pelé For Pepsi, Fleischmann’s, Tony’s Pizza (1975-76)

More Arrid: 70s Spots: Arrid Extra Dry & Vitalis (Pete Maravich, 1970)

More Paul Dooley: 70s Commercials: Sara Lee Cake, Wamsutta’s Calvin Klein, Sinutab, Goodyear ‘Bigfoot’ (1974-76)

More Volkswagen: Daily 70s Ad: Volkswagen Bus (1971)

70s Commercials: Joy, Betty Crocker Cakes, Uncle Ben’s, Charmin (1970-73)

Posted on February 8, 2026 by David Moore

“Cleans to the shine…and that’s a nice reflection on you.”

Rewinding back to the top of the decade, we have four commercials circa 1970 to ’73. In the starter position, it’s Lemon Fresh Joy dishwashing liquid (with child actor Lisa Lucas).

Following that slice of life, we’ve got Betty Crocker cakes and frosting, Uncle Ben’s Quick Rice (with Ed McMahon), and Charmin bath tissue (with Dick Wilson, Bill Quinn, and what appears to be a young Jo Anne Worley). Enjoy heartily!

LEMON FRESH JOY COMMERCIAL (1973)

_{Lemon Fresh Joy Dishwashing Liquid commercial featuring a daughter returning home from London. The youngest daughter appears to be Lisa Lucas. Narration by Casey Kasem. Spot aired Fall 1973.}

BETTY CROCKER CAKES & FROSTING COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting commercial featuring ‘Southern’ and ‘City’ neighbors. Spot aired March 1972.}

UNCLE BEN’S QUICK RICE COMMERCIAL (ED MCMAHON, 1971)

_{Uncle Ben’s Converted & Quick Rice commercial starring Ed McMahon. Spot aired September 1971.}

CHARMIN ‘SQUEEZE POLICE’ COMMERCIAL (1970)

_{Charmin Bathroom Tissue commercial featuring Mr. Whipple (Dick Wilson), police officer ‘Digby’ (Bill Quinn) and what appears to be a young Jo Anne Worley. Spot aired in 1970.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Gravy Train, Miracle Whip, Mr. Muscle, ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1979)

More Joy: 70s Commercials: ‘Lemon Fresh’ Joy, Shell Bugkillers, Alpo, Viva (1974-75)

More Betty Crocker: 70s Commercials: Noxzema (Cheryl Tiegs), Betty Crocker Frosting, Cool Whip, Zest (1975-76)

More Uncle Ben’s: 70s Commercials: Uncle Ben’s Rice & Gravy, Yardley Soap, Taster’s Choice, Listerol (1974)

More Charmin: 70s Spots: Prell, Charmin, Hormel & Sony

70s Commercials: Gravy Train, Miracle Whip, Mr. Muscle, ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1979)

Posted on February 1, 2026 by David Moore

“We’ve got meaty taste in the bag.”

A very good February to you! Here’s a batch of commercials that ran in 1979. Starting off, we have a spot for Gravy Train featuring Dinah’s Dog Diner. After that, a classic spot for Miracle Whip, Mr. Muscle, and NBC’s evening line-up spotlighting Diff’rent Strokes.

Sharp eyes will notice the same actor starring in the Gravy Train and Mr. Muscle spots. She worked a ton in the Seventies, but I haven’t yet been able to identify her. Do leave a comment if you know. That said, dive into these new time capsules and enjoy!

GRAVY TRAIN ‘DOG DINER’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{General Foods Gravy Train dog food commercial featuring Dinah’s Dog Diner. Spot aired circa 1978-79.}

CLASSIC MIRACLE WHIP ‘EMPTY JAR’ COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing commercial featuring a late-night eater and an empty jar. Narrator sounds like John Bartholomew Tucker. Spot aired early 1979.}

MR. MUSCLE COMMERCIAL (1979)

_{Mr. Muscle Oven Cleaner commercial featuring a singing chorus. Spot aired March 1979.}

‘DIFF’RENT STROKES’ EVENING LINE-UP PROMO (NBC, 1979)

_{NBC TV promo featuring ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ ‘Bob Hope Special,’ ‘Hello, Larry,’ and ‘Sweepstakes.’ Spot aired March 1979. Narration by Casey Kasem.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Stove Top Stuffing, Parkay Margarine, Gillette Foamy, UR Board Game (1977-78)

More Gravy Train: 70s Spots: Pepsodent & Gravy Train (1975), The Osmonds & ‘Beatlemania’ (1978)

More Miracle Whip: 70s Commercials: Old Spice, McDonald’s Gift Certificates, Kraft Holiday Meals, Dutch Masters (Xmas, 1972-79)

More NBC TV: Daily 70s Spot: ‘Chuck Barris Rah Rah Show’ NBC Promo (1978)

70s Commercials: Stove Top Stuffing, Parkay Margarine, Gillette Foamy, UR Board Game (1977-78)

Posted on January 18, 2026 by David Moore

“Instead of potatoes.”

Hey there! It’s been too long since we’ve had fresh, old commercials here – what can I say? It was the holidays and I got sick last week with that nasty cold that’s going around – so let’s get down to it.

It’s a 1977-78 theme this time, so take in spots for Stove Top Stuffing, Parkay Margarine (with Hamilton Camp), Gillette Foamy shave cream (with Paul Sylvan), and the UR board game. I hope you enjoy!

STOVE TOP STUFFING COMMERCIAL (1977)