Bionic Disco

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

Posted on June 22, 2025 by David Moore

“Give that man a Blue Ribbon!”

Eighties Week returns! Wear your sunglasses at night, hop into your DeLorean, and drive into these commercial time capsules from the consumerism era. Our main event is a spot for Pabst Beer with pre-stardom Jeff Daniels and Denzel Washington.

Following that, enjoy spots for L’eggs Pantyhose (with Barbara Eden), Jell-O, the premiere of the Fame TV series, Lysol (with Harvey Korman, Bridget Hanley, Beverly Archer, Vernee Watson-Johnson, and Roger Bowen), Meow Mix, IBM Computers, and Kellogg’s Crispix Cereal. Whew!

JEFF DANIELS & DENZEL WASHINGTON PABST BEER COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer commercial featuring award-winning actors Jeff Daniels and Denzel Washington. The boss is actor Ben Slack. Spot aired October 1980.}

L’EGGS PANTYHOSE COMMERCIAL (BARBARA EDEN, 1980)

_{L’eggs Control Top Pantyhose commercial featuring actor Barbara Eden (‘I Dream of Jeannie’). Spot aired September 1980.}

JELL-O SALAD SELECTOR COMMERCIAL (1980)

_{Jell-O Gelatin Salad Selector dessert book commercial featuring Pineapple Lime Temptation and a family in Iowa. Narration by John Bartholomew Tucker. Spot aired September 1980.}

‘FAME’ TV SERIES PREMIERE PROMO (1981)

_{NBC promo for the TV series premiere of ‘Fame.’ Narrator is likely Danny Dark. Spot aired December 1981. The series premiered January 1982.}

LYSOL ‘CHARACTER ACTORS’ COMMERCIAL (HARVEY KORMAN, 1981)

_{Lysol Scent II commercial featuring actors Harvey Korman, Bridget Hanley, Beverly Archer, Vernee Watson-Johnson, and Roger Bowen. Spot aired January 1981 (produced in 1980).}

MEOW MIX ‘THE ANSWER CAT’ COMMERCIAL (1981)

_{Meow Mix Cat Food commercial featuring ‘The Answer Cat.’ Spot aired January 1981 (produced in ’80).}

IBM COMPUTERS ‘CHARLIE CHAPLIN’ COMMERCIAL (1983)

_{IBM Personal Computers software commercial featuring a Charlie Chaplin look-alike. Narration by Gary Merrill. Spot aired December 1983.}

KELLOGG’S CRISPIX CEREAL JINGLE COMMERCIAL (1983)

_{Kellogg’s Crispix Cereal commercial featuring a sing-a-long song. Spot aired December 1983.}

Previously on 80s Commercials: Burger King, Vanderbilt, Hostess, Betty Crocker, Dentyne, Ford, Minute Maid, KitKat (1980-83)

More Pabst: 70s Spots: Pabst ‘First Flight’ (1972) & Budweiser ‘Basketball’ (1973)

More Jeff Daniels: 70s Commercials: BF Goodrich (Jeff Daniels), Ultra Ban, Schlitz Malt Liquor, Revlon Natural Wonder (1976-77)

More L’eggs: 70s Commercials: Sanka ‘Rock Group,’ L’eggs, Dairylea Milk, Budweiser (1972)

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

More Lysol: 70s Commercials: Ford Maverick, Olympia Beer, Lysol, Maxim Coffee (1970-71)

More Harvey Korman: Trailer Tuesday: ‘Blazing Saddles’ (40th Anniversary, 1974)

More Vernee Watson: 70s Spots: Hungry Jack (Vernee Watson) & Glade (Doris Roberts) (1975)

More Roger Bowen: 70s Spots: Poppin’ Fresh Cinnamon Rolls & Folger’s Coffee Crystals (1979)

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

More IBM: Daily 70s Spot #418, 419: IBM Copiers & Typewriters (1974)

More Kellogg’s: 70s Spots: Kellogg’s Corn Flakes (1972)

70s Commercials: McDonald’s ‘Mornings,’ The Gap, ‘Welcome Back, Kotter,’ Crisco (1975)

Posted on June 15, 2025 by David Moore

“The New Morning.”

Happy Father’s Day! We’re stopping the Wayback Machine in 1975 (and thereabouts). In the starring role, we have a vaguely humorous commercial for McDonald’s “improved” breakfast menu. In co-starring roles, we’ve got spots for The Gap, Welcome Back, Kotter, and Crisco (with Ginger Gerlach). Enjoy!

MCDONALD’S ‘MORNINGS’ COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{McDonald’s restaurant commercial featuring ‘new, improved’ breakfast meals. Spot aired March 1975.}

70S STYLE: THE GAP ANIMATED COMMERCIAL (1975)

_{Animated commercial for The Gap clothing store (New York area). Spot aired August 1975.}

CLASSIC ‘WELCOME BACK, KOTTER’ PROMO (1975)

_{ABC promo for the ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ TV series featuring Gabe Kaplan, John Travolta, and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Spot aired September 1975.}

CRISCO ‘PIE CRUST’ COMMERCIAL (EARLY 1970S)

_{Crisco Vegetable Shortening commercial with a focus on pie crust. The party host is actor Ginger Gerlach. Spot aired in the early 1970s (best guess 1970-71).}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Crest, Weebles West, Bell Telephone, Lovin’ Spoonfuls (1974)

More McDonald’s: 70s Spots: Taco Bell (1978) & McDonald’s Breakfast (1979)

More Welcome Back, Kotter: ‘Welcome Back, Kotter”s Ron Palillo Has Died

More Crisco: Daily 70s Spot: Crisco Cooking Oil (1978)

70s Commercials: Crest, Weebles West, Bell Telephone, Lovin’ Spoonfuls (1974)

Posted on June 7, 2025 by David Moore

_{“You can’t beat Crest for fighting cavities.”}

Today’s post lands on 1974 or thereabouts. We start off with a Crest Toothpaste commercial (starring Arthur O’Connell, John Erwin, and Kit Smythe) and follow that beauty up with spots for the Weebles West toy set, Bell Telephone’s PBX System, and Lovin’ Spoonfuls Cat Food (with Joyce Bulifant). I hope the ’74 feels are forthcoming and fulfilling.

CREST COMMERCIAL (JOHN ERWIN, EARLY 1970S)

_{Crest Toothpaste commercial featuring spokesperson Mr. Goodwin (Arthur O’Connell), Fred (John Erwin), and Gracie (Kit Smythe). Spot aired in the early 1970s (best guess 1971-74).}

WEEBLES WEST TOY COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{Hasbro-Romper Room Weebles West toy commercial. Spot aired October 1974.}

BELL TELEPHONE ‘PBX SYSTEMS’ COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{Bell Telephone commercial featuring PBX (Private Branch eXchange) phone service for businesses. Spot aired November 1974.}

LOVIN’ SPOONFULS CAT FOOD COMMERCIAL (1974)

_{Ralston Purina Lovin’ Spoonfuls Cat Food commercial featuring actor Joyce Bulifant. Narration by Michael Bell. Spot aired October 1974.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Cheer, Duncan Hines, Dawn, Orange Plus (1973)

More Crest: 70s Commercials (Buried Treasures): Levi’s (John Goodman), Crest, Diners Club, Arrow Shirts (1979, 1971)

More Weebles: 70s Commercials: Alpha-Bits, YWCA, Virgin Islands, Tumblin’ Weebles (1978-79)

More Bell Telephone: 70s Commercials: Bell Telephone, Ford Mustang, ‘Time After Time’ (1979)

More Joyce Bulifant: 70s Spots: Panasonic & Quasar TV Sets (1977)

70s Commercials: Cheer, Duncan Hines, Dawn, Orange Plus (1973)

Posted on May 26, 2025 by David Moore

“All-Temperature Cheer – for the way you wash now.”

Hello there, ‘Disco Dwellers! Let’s get some fresh vintage commercials rolling. This time around we find 1973 spots for Cheer (with Teri Garr and Michael Rupert) and Duncan Hines Brownies (with Jane Curtin). Following those, two early 70s spots for Dawn and Orange Plus (with Joe Ponazecki). I hope you enjoy the vaguely memorable flashbacks.

‘ALL-TEMPA’ CHEER DETERGENT COMMERCIAL (TERI GARR, 1973)

_{Cheer Detergent commercial featuring an older sister (Teri Garr) and younger brother (Michael Rupert). Spot aired Fall 1973.}

DUNCAN HINES DOUBLE-FUDGE BROWNIES COMMERCIAL (JANE CURTIN, 1973)

_{Duncan Hines Double-Fudge Brownie Mix commercial featuring actor Jane Curtin (‘Saturday Night Live’). Spot aired Fall 1973.}

DAWN DISHWASHING LIQUID COMMERCIAL (EARLY 1970S)

_{Dawn Dishwashing Liquid Detergent commercial featuring a pork chop clean-up. Spot aired in the early 1970s (best guess 1971-73).}

BIRDSEYE ORANGE PLUS BREAKFAST DRINK COMMERCIAL (EARLY 1970S)

_{Birdseye Orange Plus Frozen Concentrate for Imitation Orange Juice commercial featuring a family in the kitchen. The dad is actor Joe Ponazecki. Spot aired circa 1971-73.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Flintstones Vitamins, Chef Boyardee, Cooking Magic, Teflon Pans (1972)

More Cheer: 70s Commercials: Shake ‘N Bake, Cheer, Garanimals & more (1975-79)

More Teri Garr: 70s Spots -Celebrity Time: Teri Garr, Joe DiMaggio, Charles Durning, Chuck McCann (1974)

More Duncan Hines: TV Time: NBC Commercials Jan, ’77 (Carter’s Inauguration)

More Jane Curtin: 70s Spots: One-A-Day Vitamins (Jane Curtin) & Haggar Slacks (Willie & Lester) (1976)

More Dawn: 70s Commercials: Dawn (Bruno Kirby), Armour Ham, Mercury Monarch, Rubbermaid (1974)

More Orange Plus: 70s Commercials: L’eggs Sheer Energy, Orange Plus, AMC Gremlin, Prudential (1974)

70s Commercials: Flintstones Vitamins, Chef Boyardee, Cooking Magic, Teflon Pans (1972)

Posted on May 11, 2025 by David Moore

“Kids vitamins that CAN help…from One-A-Day.”

Today, we’re pausing for station identification in 1972. You’ll find commercials for Flintstones Vitamins, Chef Boyardee’s Complete Spaghetti Dinner, Cooking Magic Bags, and Teflon II Cookware. Pretty much everything you’ll need to prepare and consume an early 70s meal. Good luck!

FLINTSTONES VITAMINS COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{Animated Flintstones Vitamins commercial featuring spokesperson Fred Flintstone (Alan Reed). Spot aired November 1972.}

CHEF BOYARDEE COMPLETE SPAGHETTI DINNER COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{Chef Boyardee Complete Spaghetti Dinner commercial. Spot aired November 1972.}

COOKING MAGIC BAGS COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{Cooking Magic Bags commercial featuring real world testimonials. Spot aired February 1972.}

TEFLON II COOKWARE COMMERCIAL (1972)

_{DuPont Teflon II cookware commercial. Spot aired November 1972.}

Previously on 70s Commercials: Diet Pepsi, Charmin, G.I. Joe, Glade (1970-71)

More Flintstones Vitamins: Daily 70s Spot: Flintstones Vitamins (1974)

More Chef Boyardee: 70s Commercials: Chef Boyardee, ABC ‘Still The One,’ Flintstones Vitamins, Hefty Bags (1977)

70s Commercials: Diet Pepsi, Charmin, G.I. Joe, Glade (1970-71)

Posted on May 4, 2025 by David Moore

“You’ll do a double-take.”

Happy May the 4th! Here’s a batch of vintage advertisements from the prehistoric 1970-1971 era for you to sink your eyeballs into.

First up, enjoy a nice bottle of Diet Pepsi (with Charles Napier). Then, kick back for commercials featuring Charmin (with Kathleen Freeman), G.I. Joe, and Glade air freshener.

As mentioned in years past on the site, I was a huge G.I. Joe fan and the Secret of the Mummy’s Tomb set was highly desirable. I also vaguely remember the animated Glade spots with the elves (gnomes?). Although I was very small, anything animated was of great interest.

DIET PEPSI COMMERCIAL (1970)

_{Diet Pepsi-Cola soft drink commercial featuring a golf course and a ‘double-take’ theme. The male actor is Charles Napier. Spot aired August 1970.}

CHARMIN: MR. WHIPPLE & KATHLEEN FREEMAN COMMERCIAL (1971)

_{Charmin Bathroom Tissue commercial featuring Mr. Whipple (Dick Wilson) and Mrs. Mooney (Kathleen Freeman). Actor Maree Cheatham appears at far left. Spot aired in 1971.}

G.I. JOE ‘SECRET OF THE MUMMY’S TOMB’ COMMERCIAL (1971)