Would you buy insurance from Charlie Brown? Hell yea I would!

Charlie Brown and Snoopy are icons. Created back in the fall of 1950 by Charles Shultz, he drew the comic until the spring of 2000. With comics every day, and many great TV Episodes like; A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, A Charlie Brown Christmas, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and many more. He smartly licensed his characters out. One place he did license them out was to MetLife.

I don’t remember how long he licensed them out to MetLife, but I do remember the commercials that started in the early 90s. It usually showed one of the gang, usually Charlie Brown, getting hurt, losing something, or breaking something, and Snoopy, acting as the agent, came to take care of his insurance needs. Nothing real flashy about them, they were just fun to watch because I loved the Peanuts gang.

Below is one such commercial. Linus, his trademark blanket is being washed, and he feels insecure, and Charlie Brown does his little shtick, sells MetLife, and Linus feels better! And Snoopy is there, looking very proper, ready to take care of Linus.

So what did we learn here? The Peanuts gang is a great way of selling insurance, and Snoopy’s ear is a blanket replacement. If I needed insurance now, I’d be going to MetLife. Well, I think I’d go off of more than just the commercial, but I will be visiting them, next time I feel insecure.

Your Principle is a dork, and doesn’t like bubble tape!

I’m sorry for no update last Friday. My wife is pregnant and is now 38 weeks and we have two young kids, so my time is limited. For the next few weeks, I will not be doing my normal Retro Friday blog. I will still post, but the posts won’t be bigger and about anything 80s, but I’ll post a retro commercial blog. It’s much easier and less time consuming. If I do get time to work on something nice, I’ll post, I have a ton of ideas, but I honestly don’t know if I’ll have the time for the next few weeks. But onto the commercial!

Bubble Tape, what a wonderful gum! Ok, the gum was ok, nothing great, but definitely not bad. What I loved about Bubble Tape was the plastic container and the commercials. I loved the containers because it looked like a chew container. Being a big fan of baseball, and always seeing that circular container in their back pockets, I was now able to emulate them, but with gum. Usually I’d chew the tape quickly, and then fill it with Big League Chew because the Big League Chew, to me, looked more like chewing tobacco. Pink Chewing Tobacco, but who is really paying attention. Yea, I was twisted, but I knew a lot of guys who did the same thing.

But the commercials for Bubble Tap in the early 90s were some of the best. Using the slogan “Its six feet of bubble gum for you, not them,” and the commercials they used, using old farts like a school principle, or lunch lady, or some adult out of touch with the kids of that day, they talked to kids. What kid who is pre-teen or a teenager, doesn’t think that the adults are totally bonkers, and don’t know anything? I sure did! In a few years, I’ll be seeing the other side of that as my kids will be hitting pre-teen.

But the commercial below was when I was still in school, probably 8^th, 9^th, or 10^th when it came out, and the only thing I had to worry about was school, cleaning my room (which I never did), and sports. Seeing it now, god I’m glad I stumbled upon this, brings back all kinds of memories. But looking at this now, it is still genius! Update the music, the graphics, and maybe the people they pick on, and it would still work.

Check out one of the commercials below. What a wave of memories that washed over me by watching this. Anyone else remember this?!

Going, Going, Gone! A look back at a Hydrox Commercial

When I search for a commercial to write on, I look all over. I search retro sites, 80’s themed sites and news sites. In searching, I saw an article linked on Fark for Hydrox Cookies. I remember these cookies being like Oreo’s, but crunchier. Because of that, I didn’t like them. When I eat cookies like these, as soon as I get the pack home, I open them up and let them sit for at least a week before I start eating. I love them stale, because when they are stale, they are soft, and I love them that way! Back to the article I read, it goes on to talk about how Sunshine Biscuits stopped making Hydrox and how many fans of the cookies are bummed, and doing all they could to bring them back. I don’t really feel their plight, since they were a sturdy, crunchier cookie, and I like mine stale and soft, but I though maybe I could reach a few others to either join in their cause, or at the very least, bring some memories with a retro commercial.

If you look at this commercial, it has a very corny 80s feel to it. Using a bad Sammy Davis Jr. impersonator, they changed The Candy Man song to this jingle. Not bad, but it isn’t one that you will get stuck in your head, and if you do, you’ll probably get the original song stuck and thus you won’t remember the cookies.

Gosh, there really isn’t much to this commercial to review. I know Sunshine didn’t have a lot of money to spend on commercials, and that is one of the reason’s Hydrox never became a serious competitor to Oreos, and why they discontinued them, but man, this commercial is very forgettable. This was in the 80s guys, make it lively or something! Well, the commercial is forgettable, but to the Hydrox fans, the cookies never will be.

The Noid won’t ruin this Pizza!

If you’ve been following my other articles, you’ll notice it doesn’t take a whole lot for me to fall in love with a commercial from the 80s. Maybe it was just the way I was, or maybe all kids in that era were the same, but if I saw something entertaining, I wanted it or wanted to try it. Case and point, Domino’s Pizza.

Where I grew up, we didn’t have Domino’s. You either had Pizza Hut, or a Mom and Pops pizza. For my family, it was whatever we had a coupon for. But after seeing The Noid commercials, I wanted it! To bad it wasn’t until about 8 years after this commercial came out until there was a Domino’s in my area. I tried it once, and never again. I’ve hear the saying, “Pizza is like sex, even when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.” Who ever said that never ate Domino’s.

But this commercial had me hooked! If I would have tried the pizza when I was young enough to be influenced by a commercial, I might have liked it. The Noid was around as the Domino’s mascot for most of the 80s. He tried and tried to get to your pizza, to make it cold or disgusting, but Domino’s said they won’t let him get to your pizza. He was very popular, and even had his own video game, Yo! Noid for the NES. That game was harder than hell!

But the great thing about this mascot, he made you want to eat Domino’s! Every time I saw this commercial, I secretly wanted it! I use to think about all the kids out there that were lucky enough to get this pizza, and secretly would curse them.

Check out the commercial below, and tell me, those of you who saw this commercial when it first came out, that you don’t wish you had a slice of Domino’s? Hell, I’m thinking I might want to try it again. Who knows, in ten years, maybe they got better?

10 TV Shows to Describe the 80s

Last week, I did and article on the 10 movies I’d use to describe the 80’s to someone who would ask that. In that same mode, this week, I’m doing the 10 TV shows to Describe the 80s. This list is PRIME TIME TV. If I would include all TV, this list would pull heavily from Cartoons. I didn’t want to do that, so today, this list is for prime time television shows. Like last week, this is not a Top Ten. This list is in no particular order. So, without further ado, here is 10 TV Shows I would use to describe the 80s to someone.

1. Dallas

I have never, ever, seen an episode of Dallas. Well, I’ve seen bits and pieces, but never a whole episode. Well, why the hell did I include this on this list? Two reasons come to mind.

First, the theme song; who doesn’t hear it and instantly not know what was on? I forget what day of the week it came one, I keep thinking Saturday, but I know that when the theme song came on, it was bed time. The only way we could stay downstairs longer was to cry, “Just let us here the theme song for Dallas, and then we will go to bed, we promise!” That usually worked, so I grew a liking for that song.

Second, even know I was young when it was popular, and I never watched it, J.R. being shot was so huge, that it even hit me! I had know idea who J.R. was, later found out he was the guy with the hat, or that he was a scum bag, but I heard everyone talk about it, and it almost peaked my interest enough to try to sneak in a few minutes of the show. I almost did, but alas, by the time the show came back on in the fall, I could care less. Probably because I was 5.

1. The Dukes of Hazard

Come one, what little boy was not totally intrigued with this show? Two cool looking guys got to drive their orange car all over the place and ran from the law and all that goodness. I was totally mesmerized by the end credits. No, I didn’t care about the director or producer or the best boy, but I loved how they drove through this open field and invaded the cops.

Also, this show, like Dallas, came on when it was time for me to go to bed, so, again, I would use the excuse that I just wanted to hear it come on to stay up a minute longer.

I use to love this show so much, that when I was younger, they had these wind up car in the shapes of the General Lee and the Cops Car, and you had this strap that went around your wrist. You’d put the car in the container on your wrist, wind it up, and set it as close to the floor as you could and let them go. I use to love them! The case is gone, but my two wind up General Lee’s are now bringing happiness to my kids…and me to

1. The Wonder Years

This show was a major part of my life. But it went more than that. It was a major part of the life’s of every kid my age. Why is that? We had, on TV, a TV show that revolved around a kid our age, going through the same things we were going through, and it fucking rocked! Ok, it was set in the 1960’s, but that’s ok! Back then, the 60s were all retro, and it was awesome! I remember seeing kids, especially when I was a freshman in High School, dressed as Hippies. Funny as hell!

But this show was more than that, in that it was GOOD! Well, at least at first it was. But I was so into it, that when it started going down hill, I still loved it. Every Tuesday night, I was there, with my sisters, watching this.

My senior year of High School, this show was voted as our favorite show growing up.

1. The Cosby Show

If this wasn’t the number one show of the 1980s, it was definitely the number one comedy of the decade. Thursday nights at 8pm, my family, with other countless millions, would sit at home, turn on NBC, and watch this masterful comedy.

I remember watching the very first episode where Theo gets his ear pierced, all the way to the last episode where Dr. Huxtable finally get’s that door bell to ring, and he and Mrs. Huxtable dance off the stage to the applause of the crowd. That was the first time that I was ever sad to see a show end, because I loved the Cosby Show. It wasn’t as funny and was loosing its steam, but I grew up with that show, and loved it. It was hard to see it go, but then, it was on every afternoon in syndication, so I didn’t really lose it. I think I’ve seen every episode 5 times.

1. Growing Pains

I liked this show, didn’t love it, but liked it. The first season or two, before Kirk Cameron became “Born Again” and changed his character, it was a wonderful show. Off course for a second, nothing against being “Born Again”, it’s just that he totally destroyed his character after that, and it was a great character, but if you do some research on some of the story lines he vetoed, you’d be upset too,

Anyway, there is a two part episode that sticks out in my mind, and that two part episode hit me at a time in my life that it had such a dramatic impact on me.

The two part episode was called “Dance Fever”, and it had three storyline’s around the three kids. Mike was at the dance and spots a gorgeous girl there and becomes obsessed! I did too because this was around the time puberty set in for me, and the girl, Lynda, was smokin! Carol’s was set at the same dance, but her two friends were all about hooking up with guys our of there league, and Carol ends up spending time with Mike’s friend Bonner, and they end up having fun, while Carol’s friends stand at the side, bummed. And Ben, with his friend Stinky (the writers of this show really came up with some kick ass names for they guys friends), go to a diner to play pinball with a machine that pays money! Unfortunately for them, to act cool, they order pie and blow all their money on that and none on the machine.

I saw those episodes ONCE! But they have stood out in my mind and I am eagerly waiting until that season is out on DVD so I can get it. Anyone know where the torrent for that episode is?

1. Perfect Strangers

God this show was stupid. A guy, Larry, moves to the city of Chicago for a job, and ends up meeting his distant cousin, Balki, and they move in together and their lives are just a pile of fun!

I watched this show because there was nothing else on at that time worth watching. And since cable TV at that time sucked, well, Perfect Strangers was what I watched. So why include this show when I didn’t love it? Because if I said “Cousin Larry”, who doesn’t know who I’m talking about? If you would talk in Balki’s ridiculous accent, who doesn’t know who you are imitating?

Moved from Tuesday, to Wednesday, it finally ended up on Fridays on ABC when they started their TGIF lineup. That is probably what I watched it. All those TGIF shows were lame, but I watched them anyways. That’s what the 80s were about!

1. Cheers

One of the greatest shows ever! This show, set in the bar Cheers in Boston, is amazing! Though the real bar in Boston is small and compact, much unlike the show version, I don’t think anyone cared about that. The writing and acting for this show were amazing, and that kept it around for a long time!

Part of NBC’s Thursday lineup, I wasn’t allowed to watch this show when it first came on. I had my bead time, and couldn’t stay up past it. But in later years, when I was allowed to, I was hooked. Me, being a HUGE baseball fan, I loved the fact that Sam was a pro ball player in the past before becoming Bartender/Owner. His flings with Diane, and then Rebecca, were legendary. The great dumb bartender Coach, and later Woody were a great comic relief, Carla the angry waitress and we can’t forget the patrons, Norm, Cliff and Frasier, rounded out a cast that is legendary. They had so many characters to pull stories from, that most episodes were amazing! I don’t know too many people who don’t smile when they talk about this show.

1. Who’s the Boss

Who’s the Boss was a wonderfully fun show when it first started, but as it went on, and the story lines got stale, it became an awful show. But let’s face it, when it did first came out, it was awesome. The sexual tension between Tony and Angela was great, until the show writers actually decided to put them together. Sam as the tomboy who grew up and became a beautiful woman, and I don’t think I can stress beautiful enough. Jonathan started out as a typical boy, but as he grew up, became annoying and I wish they would have sent him to boarding school. The actor in real life is gay, who didn’t see that coming, and maybe it would have been more fun if they made his character gay too. If nothing else, would have spruced up a very dull character. Finally we have Mona, the sexy grandma. Yea, definitely sexy.

Unfortunately the writers played the easy way out in later years and the show because dull and boring. Every storyline they came up with was easy to see where it was going, and since you could watch one episode and see where the next few where going, that and Tony and Angela getting together, people didn’t care. But when it first came out, it was very good, and that is what I will remember.

1. The A-Team

What guy in the 80s didn’t love this show? Ok, being as young as I was, I never saw much of it in the 80s, but when I finally did get to see this, I loved it! To me, it really didn’t have to heavily of an 80s feel to it. Well, besides Mr. T, you could have moved this show to the 90s and it would work there too!

Four ex-US Army Special Force members who go and work for money, they get into all kinds of adventures. Any red blooded man would love this show.

Unfortunately, I don’t have many memories of this who in the 80s, well, none besides eating Mr. T Cereal, I pity the fool who don’t eat my cereal, but that wasn’t really A-Team related. I guess that fact that I use to hear my cousin’s talk about it all the time really got me hooked. I wanted to see it, I heard them talk about how awesome it was, so I guess the anticipation of someday watching it made it make this list.

1. Golden Girls

Thank you for being a friend. Travel down the road and back again. Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant. I did that totally on memory, so if I got it right, awesome! If not, well, I’m sure I’m close. Saturday nights, at 9pm are not considered a great time for TV. You see many networks throw shows there that they like, but don’t do well. But Golden Girls was placed there, and was in the top 10 for most of it’s run.

My grandmother use to love this show, and that is one of the reasons I like it. On Saturdays, I was able to stay up later, so I’d watch this with her. Besides watching with her, this was a very funny show. With four “older” ladies living together, who’d have thunk that it would be a top 10 show? But the ladies they cast were perfect. Bea Arthur was wonderful as Dorothy Zbornak, Betty White did a spot on job as Rose Nylund, Rue McClanahan was amazing and sexy as Blanche Devereaux, and Estelle Getty, the youngest actress of the four, often stole the scene as the oldest Golden Girl, Sophia Petrillo.

Thankfully, Bea knew when to get out and did at the right time, as Golden Girls was sliding in the ratings and the show just didn’t have the punch that it use to. The remaining three when on to Golden Palaces, where they owned and ran a hotel, but that was a flop. But thankfully, that flop didn’t pull down the memory of Golden Girls, and it is still shown on reruns today.

So there you have it. Remember, this is not a top 10, but how I would show someone who doesn’t know about the 80s, through TV. What 10 TV shows would you use to show the 80s? I’d love to here your 10, so leave a comment and let me know!