# What are Your Earliest Memories of TV Commercials? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 8, 2006, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856 "2006-05-08T07:05:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/61 "2006-05-09T16:30:42Z")
> [@as\_u\_wish](#): > > **Anacin** –Mother, _please_, I’d rather do it myself. > > **Shake and Bake** –“and _ah_ helped.” These two made it into our family’s lexicon (or whatever you call it when ad-speak makes its way into normal conversation). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/62 "2006-05-09T17:07:38Z")
“Captain Kangaroo” was sponsored by the [Brookfield Zoo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookfield_Zoo). Each episode concluded with a short commercial for the Zoo and its jingle: > [@](#): > > The final chorus of “The Unicorn” as sung by **The Irish Rovers** > _You’ll see green alligators and long-necked geese > Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees > Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born > You’re never gonna see no unicorns_ ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/63 "2006-05-11T03:24:21Z")
> [@Dijon Warlock](#): > > One limousine pulls up beside another, the back window rolls down, and the sandwich-making tycoon asks: “Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?” 'cause it’s the mustard of the filthy rich, I guess. Every limo glove compartment should have a jar. Years after those ads had their heyday, there was a short series of followups. First ad: The limos are too far apart for the mustard to be handed over. Second ad: They’re close enough, but the windows are not aligned, so the limos pull back and forward by inches, trying to line up. Third ad: During the handover, the jar falls smash to the ground. * * * Who was the guy who dared you to knock the battery off his shoulder? “Mr. Dirt wants YOU!” But what was the product? The Frito Bandito. Man, I HATED that! It always upset me to see someone willing to resort to threats of violence just to get some chips! Why couldn’t he have been the Frito Amigo, and **handed out** Fritos instead of stealing them? He could have teamed up with the Kool-Aid pitcher! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/64 "2006-05-11T03:40:20Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Who was the guy who dared you to knock the battery off his shoulder? Eveready hired one-time professional boxer Robert Conrad. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/65 "2006-05-11T04:07:43Z")
on saturday mornings farfel the dog would sing: n-e-s-t-l-e-s, nestles makes the very best…chocolate! (mid to late fifties) ---
**Author:** ![PureT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@PureT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PureT)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/66 "2014-06-06T15:41:20Z")
How about the Bayer aspirin commercial: "Mother, please! I’d rather do it myself! …the hand lotion (Jergens?) commercial: “Would you hold hands with a …LOBSTER?” …the "house-i-to-sis commercial\> “hmmm…FISH last night dear?” …Ivory Soap? "We asked the women on one side of the block to wash their dishes using regular dish soap, and the other side to wash their with Ivory Soap… Bay Area boomers know this song: “See Ellis Brooks today, for your Chevrolet, corner Bush and Van Ness; he’s got a deal for you, what a deal for you…” Another Bay Area-specific commercial - the overweight man in San Jose you sold furniture and always said, “Come on down and see us! Se habla Espanol! Bye \*kids.” Love these memories!! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/67 "2014-06-06T16:14:15Z")
I remember not really understanding what was going on, and someone kept referring to something called “New York, New York” and I wondered why they were saying it twice. That’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/68 "2014-06-06T16:24:23Z")
Growing up near Pittsburgh in the 80’s ( i was born in 1980), there is only one answer: Attorney Edgar Snyder. “There’s never a fee unless we get money for you” ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/69 "2014-06-06T16:25:28Z")
When whatever latest electronic toy was being advertised, at the very end they’d say “batteries not included.” I though this was a good thing, because the toy didn’t need batteries to function - I actually spent a lot of time wondering how they powered them. The earliest specific product I remember is [Blendy Pens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wm-5vzupkE). One of their advertisements had a picture of a normal forest being magically turned bright, childish colors. I thought the pens could actually transform landscapes into neon colors - I recall staring out at all these dull, dark trees and thinking “If only I had Blendy Pens, I could color those in!” My Mom had no idea why I begged her to buy them so often . . . 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/70 "2014-06-06T18:12:04Z")
Some I remember: Alka-Seltzer “No Matter What Shape Your Stomach’s In” King Vita-Man cereal. “You may now pour the milk on King Vita-Man. Not me, you ninny! The cereal! The cereal!” King Vita-Man was voiced by Joe Flynn, Captain Binghamton from McHale’s Navy. Aero Shave shaving cream. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/71 "2014-06-06T18:39:04Z")
The earliest TV commercial I ever remember seeing was this one… odd, because I hated licorice and couldn’t stomach Good ‘n’ Plenty. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zh3LkItQn0E) ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/72 "2014-06-06T19:07:27Z")
Regional: _Pick up the morning paper when it hits the street. Cas Walker prices just can’t be beat. Try some Blue Ban coffee and you’ll want some more. Do all your shopping at a Cas Walker’s store! do all your shopping at a Cas Walker’s store_ Cut my teeth on that. (Imagine it with Red Rector’s mandolin.) Carter’s Little Liver pills. Geritol. Tide detergent on “Queen for a Day,” where the little lady would dissolve in tears at winning a washing machine. “Put a tiger in your tank.” Esso? Marge the manicurist using Joy? Dawn? (You’re soaking in it.) “It’s Slinky! It’s Slinky! The _mumbly_ wonderful toy!” ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/73 "2014-06-06T19:38:47Z")
> [@Becky2844](#): > > “Put a tiger in your tank.” Esso? > Marge the manicurist using Joy? Dawn? (You’re soaking in it.) Enco where I lived, but I assume Esso had it as well. (They merged with a third brand to form Exxon around 1972, I thnk.) Marge was Palmolive, not Dove. I vaguely remember a PSA explaining that five holidays - Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day (which would later be moved back to 11/11) - were being moved from their fixed dates to Mondays. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/74 "2014-06-06T21:38:00Z")
My memory’s not the ad, but the ‘message’. When my mom smoked, I thought if I stood real close, I could go to Marlboro Country, too. (Like a field effect, or something. Maybe a transporter.) It looked like a nice place. I never took up smoking, so I guess the commercial didn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856/75 "2014-06-06T22:28:54Z")
I know the post was from 8 years ago, but the guy on the other side of the mirror in the add mentioned on page 1 was Chuck McCann, who was big in New York kids TV and also had a part in The First Family LP. I have a DVD set of early ads, from the early 50s to the mid '70s with tons of great ads, many of which I remember. Lots of singers saying how cigarettes didn’t hurt their voices at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-earliest-memories-of-tv-commercials/355856.md?page=3)