DVD Previews
80's Commercials Disc 11 DVD
The 1984-1989 window was peak mass-market TV advertising. Saturday morning kid-vid, prime-time sitcoms, late-night talk shows, and the cable expansion all crowded the dial. Every commercial break was its own short film, and brands still believed in a loud end card. Local-station IDs, weather teases, and 1-800 numbers stitched the reel together.
The heart of this disc is its parade of beloved icons and family-friendly spots. Cereal mascots, toy aisle gold, soda jingles, fast-food deal cards, and the local-news weather lady. Every entry below is a real moment captured on this exact disc, listed in the order it aired.
If you grew up with this era of television, this disc is your ticket back. Original audio, original broadcast order, no remasters or modern restoration. Add this volume to your cart and bring the CRT-glow nostalgia of 80s television home tonight.
Approximately 4 hours of original commercials with original audio, in broadcast order.
Featured commercials:
Commercial 1 - Fire Safety Tips PSA (1987)
Billowing smoke and a no-nonsense checklist deliver a public service reminder to install smoke detectors and run family drills. A bright blue title card and that earnest local-news urgency make this a perfect time capsule of late-decade household safety campaigns.
Commercial 6 - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Tribute (1987)
Autumn leaves drift past the polished black granite as visitors trace names with reverent fingers. The hushed cinematography and soft military pacing pay solemn homage to the sacred wall in Washington, D.C.
Commercial 7 - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Special (1987)
Black and white archival footage of soldiers in helmets dissolves into present-day images of grieving families and folded flags. A wrenching montage capturing the decade's reckoning with a war still fresh in the national memory.
Commercial 9 - Gut Buster "The Five Minute Regimen" Infomercial (1986)
Eager pitchmen demonstrate the lavender resistance contraption while a chiseled spokesman crunches on a beige sofa. Five minutes a day was the magic promise that built an entire era of late-night abdominal miracles.
Commercial 10 - Gut Buster Toll-Free Order Hotline (1986)
Bold red phone numbers and a $19.95 price tag flash beside a thirty-day money-back guarantee from Canton, Ohio. Pure direct-response gold straight out of the Fitness Quest mail-order playbook.
Commercial 12 - Real Fruit Wrinkles Snacks (1986)
Kaleidoscope colors swirl around chewy fruit clusters bursting from neon packaging. Betty Crocker's wrinkly little snacks took every elementary school lunchbox by storm with their wild swirls and tangy bite.
Commercial 14 - H&R Block with Henry Block (1986)
Henry Block himself appears in a crisp suit, ready to walk taxpayers through every form and deduction. Few faces felt more reassuring during tax season than the founder personally promising help with seventeen reasons to come in.
Commercial 15 - H&R Block Refund Testimonial (1986)
Pat Randall beams beside the figure 3,180 dollars saved on her return. Real customer success stories made the green and white tax preparer feel like a trusted neighbor on every American main street.
Commercial 16 - The Palace Steakhouse Beaumont (1986)
Sizzling steaks for two land at twelve ninety-five while a sharply dressed gentleman welcomes diners off the Eastex Freeway. Red checkered tablecloths and white china captured every special occasion in southeast Texas.
Commercial 17 - Time-Life Books Cakes Volume (1986)
Glossy pages flip past chocolate layer towers, golden bundts, and cherry-topped masterpieces. Send no money now, just dial the toll-free number, and the famous mail-order cookbook would arrive ready to transform any home baker.
Commercial 18 - Free Silverware Premium Offer (1986)
A polished silver tea service and gleaming flatware promise a free gift with purchase. Department store premiums like these turned everyday shopping into a hunt for the next matching place setting piece.
Commercial 19 - AT&T Consumer Phone Products (1986)
A teenager grins at a chunky cordless handset while a digital wall clock blinks the time in glowing amber. Crisp button-pad close-ups capture the moment when home telephones finally felt like personal gadgets.
Commercial 21 - Secret Wide Solid Deodorant (1987)
Soft morning light filters through curtains as a couple lingers in bed before the pale blue stick gets its hero shot. Strong enough for a man, made for a woman, served up with that signature bedroom intimacy.
Commercial 23 - Kix Cereal "Kid Tested, Mother Approved" (1987)
The KFDM 6 News "You Can Count on Us" graphic gives way to a bright orange Kix box and two cherubic kids savoring spoonfuls. Wholesome corn puffs paired with strawberries delivered the era's gentlest breakfast pitch.
Commercial 24 - Local Insurance Agency Spot (1987)
A small blond boy in plaid concentrates on his snack while a friendly silver-haired spokesman in a maroon suit makes his neighborly pitch. Classic small-market local advertising built entirely on a trustworthy face.
Commercial 25 - Townsley, Bush, Lewis & Ramsey Personal Injury Lawyers (1988)
"A Word to the Wise" opens on a polished door before Ken Lewis settles into a leather chair to explain his civil trial credentials. The bright blue 835-3521 card and free first visit pitch was vintage local legal advertising.
Commercial 26 - Local Law Firm Client Vignette (1988)
A sharp-suited woman sips coffee, a tough attorney works late at his desk, and a barman pours a drink in soft focus. The kind of moody, narrative-driven local lawyer commercial that aired during every late news block.
Commercial 27 - La Choy Oriental Classics (1988)
A grinning kid slurps noodles with bright red chopsticks before sweet and sour chicken hits the wok in saucy slow motion. Fresh Oriental taste at home at last, brought to the freezer aisle in a stack of glossy boxes.
Commercial 28 - Provost Umphrey Law Firm Spot (1988)
Two attorneys in tailored suits review a case file beside the bold 833-8734 hotline and a complimentary consultation offer. Dramatic hospital and kitchen vignettes drive home the message that an injury changes everything.
Commercial 29 - Treasure Hunt or Antiques Catalog Spot (1988)
Candlelight glints off ornate brass goblets, a delicate magnifying glass, and gilded picture frames. The lush, golden-hour cinematography sells mystery and elegance like a vintage Bradford Exchange teaser.
Commercial 30 - Betty Crocker Creamy Deluxe Frosting (1988)
A confetti-sprinkled birthday cake shimmers as a hungry teen sneaks a finger swipe of the rich red-and-white tub. Pure sugary nostalgia from the kitchen brand that ruled every after-school baking session.
Commercial 31 - AT&T Bell System "The Knowledge Business" (1981)
Headset-clad coaches strategize on the sidelines as a Cardinal lineman charges down the field. Bell's iconic blue circle anchors a smart corporate spot positioning the phone giant as more than just dial tones.
Commercial 32 - Canon Camera Brand Spot (1981)
A gold-helmeted Redskins quarterback and a soft-focus mother and child set up the dramatic red Canon logo reveal. Photography's prestige brand at the height of its NFL telecast sponsorship era.
Commercial 33 - Avis Express Rent A Car (1981)
A businessman strides past a bright red Avis Express counter and slips into a waiting sedan. We try harder was the slogan, and these airport-counter spots showed exactly how those second-place efforts paid off.
Commercial 35 - MasterCard International (1981)
A glamorous woman in a strapless dress poses on a marquee-lit set before the rainbow-streaked MasterCard logo bursts onto the screen. So worldly, so welcome, the global card flexed every bit of its prismatic 80s style.
Commercial 36 - Atari 2600 Game Console Spot (1982)
A green pixelated racing track scrolls across a chunky cathode tube while a tiny hot-rod blinks toward the finish line. Pure home arcade magic served up in glowing phosphor and four-bit thrills.
Commercial 37 - Denorex Medicated Shampoo (1982)
A grinning gentleman with shaving cream sideburns proves Denorex tingles cleaner and stronger than the leading brand. The yellow bottle and that signature menthol promise made every itchy scalp reach for it.
Commercial 38 - Dodge 10.9 Percent Financing Event (1982)
A bold Pentastar logo glows above the unbeatable ten point nine annual rate while qualified buyers get the hard sell. Detroit's recession-busting financing wars in their full chrome-and-pinstripe glory.
Commercial 39 - Lowenbrau or Premium Beer Holiday Spot (1982)
Twinkling Christmas lights sparkle as friends raise foamy mugs at a warmly lit holiday gathering. Tonight, let it be Lowenbrau, served up with the brand's signature wood-paneled holiday glow.
Commercial 40 - Hertz Number One For Everyone (1982)
O.J. Simpson territory meets a sun-drenched poolside lounger before the iconic yellow Hertz badge flashes onto the screen. Number one for everyone, renting Fords and other fine cars at every airport counter coast to coast.
Commercial 41 - Olympus or Nikon SLR Camera (1982)
A floating astronaut snaps photos in zero gravity before the camera body emerges in soft golden lamplight. Space-age engineering meets living-room elegance for the discerning home photographer.
Commercial 43 - National Highway Safety Crash Test Dummies PSA (1982)
Yellow-and-black checkered figures buckle into a sled rig before getting jolted in the lab. Vince and Larry's earliest cousins making the case for seatbelts in stark, sobering test-facility lighting.
Commercial 44 - Miller Lite "70 Calories Never Looked Better" (1982)
A frosty mug of golden brew tilts toward the camera over the bold seventy-calorie promise. Tastes great, less filling, and built for every backyard barbecue and bowling night across America.
Commercial 45 - NFL Quarterback Club Trading Cards Sweepstakes (1982)
Joe Montana and Ken Anderson smile in their Super Bowl XVI jerseys while fans hold up gleaming gold sticker sets. The kind of mail-in promotion that had every kid begging mom for stamps and envelopes.
Commercial 46 - SuperPro NFL Mail Order Catalog (1982)
Bright red Trenton, New Jersey type pops on screen beside a mustachioed pro club spokesman flanked by team logo posters. Every fan's dream gear was just a money order and a six-week wait away.
Commercial 47 - Goodyear NASCAR Sponsorship with Darrell Waltrip (1982)
Driver Darrell Waltrip grins in his racing goggles before the famous Goodyear blimp drifts across a clear blue sky. Racing royalty meets that one-of-a-kind airship that made every championship Sunday feel huge.
Commercial 48 - Barbary Coast Hotel Las Vegas (1982)
Tropical island vistas dissolve into the candy-red marquee of the Barbary Coast on the Strip. Old-school Vegas glamour packaged for travel agents and high rollers alike.
Commercial 50 - Dairy Queen 69 Cent Strawberry Sundae (1981)
Glistening red strawberries cascade over creamy soft serve in a fluted glass dish under the bold sixty-nine cent banner. The summer treat that turned every after-dinner drive into a family ritual.
Commercial 51 - Minolta X-700 European Camera of the Year (1981)
The sleek black SLR rotates into hero position beside its prestigious European Camera of the Year crown. Aperture-priority autoexposure and that buttery shutter sound made it the photographer's status symbol of the early decade.
Commercial 52 - San Francisco 49ers Booster Spot (1981)
A lit fuse sparks past a fan in a cherry red Forty Niners shirt twirling a noisemaker through the parking lot. Pre-Super Bowl XVI fever captured exactly as it raced through the Bay Area.
Commercial 53 - Volkswagen Quantum Performance Test (1981)
A boxy hatchback rockets past a road-closed sign on a sun-baked desert track during high-speed handling trials. German engineering proudly demonstrated through that very particular early-80s automotive cinema vocabulary.
Commercial 54 - Panasonic "Just Slightly Ahead of Our Time" (1981)
A glossy stereo cassette deck slides open under the elegant tagline before California Angels star Reggie Jackson appears on a sleek monitor. The Rose Bowl picture-in-picture demo proved Panasonic was years ahead of the curve.
Commercial 55 - Michelob "Some Things Speak for Themselves" (1981)
Frothy amber pours into the etched gold logo glass while the famous Michelob signature glows in molten sunset light. The grown-up beer of choice for couples enjoying a quiet candlelit evening.
Commercial 56 - Chrysler 5 Year 50,000 Mile Protection Plan (1981)
A sharp-suited spokesman stands beside the iconic K-car lineup explaining the industry-leading powertrain warranty. Lee Iacocca's boldest pitch transformed a struggling automaker into America's comeback story.
Commercial 58 - Albertsons Deli Platter $3.47 (1981)
A turning star of light sparkles as a bright purple price tag lands on a golden hors d'oeuvres tray. Affordable party platters from the supermarket deli aisle that powered every Friday night get-together.
Commercial 60 - Budweiser "This Bud's For You" 1984 Olympic Sponsor (1981)
The proud Olympic rings and Clydesdale silhouettes pair with cheering fans raising tall mugs in salute. America's beer toasting the upcoming Los Angeles games years before opening ceremonies.
Commercial 62 - Kodak Disc Camera (1982)
A slim silver disc camera fits perfectly in the palm before the next frame snaps an adorable sleeping puppy. The flat film wheel that promised every memory captured automatically with no fuss.
Commercial 63 - Chevy S-10 Maxi-Cab Pickup (1982)
A rugged S-10 kicks up dust on a rocky trail beneath the bold red Tough Chevy Trucks banner. Order yours today, the announcer urged, in classic Bow Tie pickup-truck swagger.
Commercial 64 - Budweiser Tailgate Party (1982)
Frosted longneck bottles get plucked from an icy red cooler before friends crowd the back of a station wagon at the game. The King of Beers fueling autumn Saturdays from coast to coast.
Commercial 65 - AT&T Long Distance Holiday Spot (1982)
Two little boys in suits plant simultaneous kisses on their mother's cheeks beside a glittering Christmas tree. Reach out and touch someone, served with all the holiday tear-jerker warmth Ma Bell perfected.
Commercial 66 - Chevy Cavalier 10.9 Percent APR (1982)
A bright cherry-red Cavalier rolls into the showroom beside the bold New Lower Price banner and ten point nine percent APR offer. Detroit's compact champion took on the imports with a sticker price even families could swing.
Commercial 67 - Natural Light Beer Holiday Dinner (1982)
A glistening glazed ham crowns the table as a chilled Natural Light bottle pours golden into a crystal stein. The famous Natural Light wheat-stalk logo glowed warmer than any candle on the centerpiece.
Commercial 68 - Kroger Grocery Store (1982)
A friendly stock clerk in a striped polo greets shoppers cruising the canned goods aisle under bright fluorescent lights. Wide aisles, fresh produce, and that unmistakable supermarket-of-the-eighties polish.
Commercial 69 - Mennen Skin Bracer Aftershave (1982)
A handsome guy splashes on the green and yellow tonic before getting that famous "thanks, I needed that" smack on the cheek. Cool, blue, and bracing in every bathroom across America.
Commercial 73 - Chrysler New Yorker Wasatch Mountains Spot (1982)
The snow-capped Wasatch peaks tower above a date stamp of June 9, 1983 as the luxury sedan glides into frame. Travel-poster cinematography selling the dream of an American highway adventure.
Commercial 76 - Crest Toothpaste Fewer Cavities Campaign (1982)
Three boldly striped Crest tubes line up beside the famous American Dental Association seal of approval. Your kids could have even fewer cavities than you did, the warmest brushing-pep-talk ever televised.
Commercial 77 - Citrus Hill 100 Percent Pure Orange Juice (1982)
Cowboys in straw hats hand out paper cups of fresh-squeezed sunshine straight from the orchard crates. The new green and orange Citrus Hill carton sat ready to take on Tropicana in every breakfast nook.
Commercial 79 - Crest (1980s)
Three tubes of Advanced Formula Crest stand at attention against a stately castle backdrop while the announcer reminds families that fighting cavities is the whole idea behind this trusted toothpaste. Pure 80s drugstore confidence in a red and white box.
Commercial 81 - Nestle Toll House Peanut Butter Morsels (1980s)
A plate of warm cookies studded with brand-new Nestle Peanut Butter Morsels makes a sweater-clad dad close his eyes in pure suburban bliss. The fresh-baked aroma practically wafts off the screen as Nestle introduces the next great chocolate-chip alternative.
Commercial 82 - WTAE-TV Pittsburgh Season's Greetings (1980s)
A vintage cameo portrait of a smiling Pittsburgh TV personality with a trio of puppet pals wishes viewers Season's Greetings from Channel 6, gold filigree framing the warm holiday card from local broadcasting's golden era.
Commercial 83 - Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine (1980s)
A box of Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine promises fast, fizzy relief for stuffy heads and scratchy throats, the familiar lemon flavor cutting through winter misery the way only an 80s pharmacy staple could.
Commercial 84 - Heinz Ketchup (1980s)
A bright kitchen, a curly-haired mom, and that unmistakable octagonal bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, America's favorite for thick, rich ketchup. The pour is slow, the family table is full, and dinner is officially saved.
Commercial 85 - Avon (1980s)
Glamorous close-ups of a brunette beauty fingering pearl earrings sell the soft elegance of Avon, the catalog cosmetic giant that turned every doorbell ring into a beauty consultation throughout the decade.
Commercial 86 - Quaker Oatmeal (1980s)
The kindly Quaker himself appears alongside a red-haired youngster digging into a steaming bowl, while a multi-generational breakfast scene reminds families that hot Quaker oatmeal is the right thing to do for the people you love.
Commercial 88 - Comtrex Multi-Symptom Cold Reliever (1980s)
A package of Comtrex sits atop a cluttered office desk while a buttoned-up worker battles cold symptoms. The tagline says it all: Comtrex. That's all. Quick, no-nonsense relief from Bristol-Myers.
Commercial 89 - Toyota Dealers Sellabration (1980s)
Confetti rains, salesmen wave, and shoppers swarm the showroom for the Toyota Dealers New Year's Sellabration, ending December 30th. Balloons, banners, and an early-decade hard sell on every model in the lot.
Commercial 90 - Bill Rodgers Evening Magazine (1980s)
Boston Marathon winner Bill Rodgers sits down for a chat on Evening Magazine, the local lifestyle staple airing Mondays at 7:30 on KDKA. Pure 80s syndicated newsmagazine charm with a side of running shoes.
Commercial 91 - Swift Premium Brown 'N Serve Sausage (1980s)
Plump, perfectly browned breakfast links sizzle next to sunny-side eggs as Swift Premium Brown 'N Serve The Original promises that classic morning sausage flavor in minutes flat. A retro breakfast plate made for Saturday cartoons.
Commercial 92 - Z-BEC Vitamins (1980s)
A bottle of Z-BEC stands proud as the announcer rattles off the lineup of Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, B-6, and B-12, calling its zinc content more precious than gold for good health. Every 80s medicine cabinet had room for one.
Commercial 93 - Whiz Kids (1980s)
A fire-breathing animated dragon roars across the screen for CBS's Whiz Kids, the computer-savvy teen mystery series where a clever crew used their PC to solve crimes. Pure early-80s tech-kid adventure.
Commercial 94 - Comtrex (1980s)
A weary woman curled up on the couch finally finds relief thanks to a familiar yellow box of Comtrex, the cold reliever that tackled every miserable symptom in one tablet. Cozy 80s sick-day comfort.
Commercial 95 - Star-Kist Tuna in Natural Spring Water (1980s)
Charlie the Tuna swims back into view as Star-Kist presents its lighter, leaner tuna packed in natural spring water. A fresh garden salad bowl and a tape measure drive home the slim, healthy 80s message.
Commercial 96 - Embassy Television (1980s)
The instantly recognizable blue and white Embassy Television logo flashes onscreen, the stylized E-star marking another syndicated sitcom or drama from the prolific 80s production powerhouse.
Commercial 97 - The Body Human The Body Beautiful (1980s)
A bold Monday 9/8 Central tune-in card promotes CBS's prestige medical documentary The Body Human: The Body Beautiful, the Emmy-winning science series that turned anatomy into primetime appointment viewing.
Commercial 99 - McDonald's Chicken McNuggets (1980s)
A family backyard barbecue meets a fresh box of golden Chicken McNuggets and crispy fries, complete with sweet and sour and barbecue dipping sauces. McDonald's brings the Mickey D magic right to suburban summer.
Commercial 100 - McDonald's 1984 Olympics (1980s)
A festive holiday gathering ends with an elderly gentleman raising a Coca-Cola cup to the L.A. Olympic Committee 1984 sponsorship, McDonald's beaming red apron and arches uniting the Games and the Golden Arches.
Commercial 101 - Pillsbury (1980s)
Marching armies of Pillsbury crescents flood the screen before a tuxedoed gentleman tips his bow tie in approval, then a smiling housewife serves up steaming biscuits, golden pancakes, and a full breakfast spread. Doughboy comfort at its finest.
Commercial 103 - Pam Cooking Spray (1980s)
A bright sunroom, a cheerful cook, and a yellow can of Pam team up to deliver a perfect golden omelet without a drop of butter. The non-stick spray that made every 80s skillet diet-friendly.
Commercial 104 - Mickey's Christmas Carol (1980s)
Scrooge McDuck embraces tiny Tiny Tim against a Home Sweet Home sign as Disney's animated Mickey's Christmas Carol promises to return after these messages. Heartwarming holiday tradition wrapped in classic Disney animation.
Commercial 105 - Rainbow Brite Dolls (1980s)
A little girl tucks her plush Rainbow Brite into bed before the lineup of Starlite the unicorn, Lurky, and Rainbow Brite herself appears in colorful glory. Hallmark's rainbow-bright toy line in full sparkly bloom.
Commercial 106 - Diet Coke (1980s)
Street dancers, breakdancers, and a sun-drenched McDonald's silhouette pulse to the beat as a young guy gulps Diet Coke under glowing golden arches. NutraSweet-powered cool, available only in packages with the special label.
Commercial 107 - McDonald's Big Mac Dancin' (1980s)
A tractor in a sunlit field, dancers grooving in an empty studio, and slow-motion glamour shots of the two-all-beef-patty Big Mac come together with the tagline It's a Good Time for the Great Taste of McDonald's.
Commercial 108 - Walt Disney's Pinocchio (1980s)
Pinocchio waves from his Geppetto workshop and Monstro the whale crashes through stormy seas as Walt Disney's Pinocchio returns to theaters in glorious Technicolor, rated G for general audiences. Classic Disney re-release magic.
Commercial 109 - Barbie Silver Vette (1980s)
Barbie cruises in style behind the wheel of her sleek Silver 'Vette, the 80s Corvette-inspired convertible that made every dream house garage complete. Pink high heels and chrome wheels in perfect harmony.
Commercial 111 - McDonald's Fun with McNuggets (1980s)
Ronald McDonald himself, in full red, yellow, and white regalia, hosts a holiday wonderland of toy trains and McNugget characters that come to life in a fluffy snowy fantasy. Pure 80s McDonald's holiday magic.
Commercial 112 - Crayola Draw 'n Do Desk (1980s)
A young artist proudly holds up a hand-drawn castle masterpiece next to the colorful Crayola Draw 'n Do Desk, the all-in-one creativity station that turned every kitchen table into a kid-sized art studio.
Commercial 113 - MFP Crossing Guard (1980s)
A cheerful boy in a red MFP shirt and crossing guard friends help kids cross safely on a striped crosswalk, a public-service style spot reminding 80s schoolkids to stop, look, and listen.
Commercial 114 - The Colgate Pump (1980s)
Two giant blue and red Colgate Pumps tower over silhouetted families in a bold graphic showcase. The push-button toothpaste dispenser that made every 80s bathroom feel space-age modern.
Commercial 115 - Garfield's Halloween Adventure (1980s)
A grinning jack-o-lantern Garfield perches in a spooky tree as the lasagna-loving cat heads off in a pirate costume with Odie for a haunted Halloween adventure. Pure animated CBS prime-time treat.
Commercial 117 - Cabbage Patch Kids (1980s)
Two best-friend tweens in matching white knit caps and rainbow scarves giggle together, the gentle Cabbage Patch Kids friendship campaign that made the cuddly dolls a generational must-have under every Christmas tree.
Commercial 118 - McDonaldland Halloween (1980s)
Ronald McDonald sits among bright pumpkins under a stop sign as McDonaldland celebrates Halloween, costumed characters and trick-or-treat fun straight from the golden arches.
Commercial 119 - Peaches 'n Cream Barbie (1980s)
Barbie twirls in a peachy-pink ruffled gown as Mattel debuts Peaches 'n Cream Barbie, the elegant evening doll with the soft sherbet color palette every little girl wanted in her dream closet.