I remember one with Shelley Long holding a gift box saying it was "bright, bouncy, and funny" or something. Then thinking "this turkey doesn't stand a chance against the comic majesty of "Who's the Boss?".
On one hand you have to give it credit for being different anyway. On the other hand it makes you suspect NBC couldn't find a clip they thought was funny. And she blinks too much.
NBC's promotions people were brilliant in that era...they got people talking, although not necessarily watching. When they got shows that were as fresh and/or funny as the promos, NBC went to #1.
Don't forget the one with Danny DeVito for the relocating TAXI..."Same time--BETTER station"
Serious Friday Question: Why do studio execs seem so clueless most of the time? You'd think that there must be some smart ones out there, but there doesn't seem to be much evidence of that.
If you think it's baffling now, try it with the sound off and the YouTube closed captions on. It's like watching someone read an owner's manual that was written in English by a Korean TV manufacturer. Why does YouTube even bother to include the CC button, other than for unintentional laughs?
Could that be Michele Greene, a couple of years before LA Law? She did bit parts in TV during her college years, which would have been right around this time.
I'm actually watching CHEERS for the first time! I'm really enjoying it. I'd already watched FRASIER and I really wanted to know more about Frasier and Lilith's backstory.
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That promo must have cost a fortune. I heard that blouse didn't work cheap.
ReplyDeleteThat was weird. The gist is "hey, NBC sucks but they actually found one good show!"
ReplyDeleteI recall seeing another promo showing a big gift box, and the announcer intoning that NBC had a big gift for the viewer, to whit, CHEERS.
ReplyDeleteAgency concept spot. Network nitwits too bamboozled to say "no."
ReplyDeleteTotal waste of money.
Huh is right!
ReplyDeleteI remember another one, in which two beer mugs were smashed together. It was equally vague and ineffective...
ReplyDeleteHow come NBC never gave that woman a show?
ReplyDeleteYou can be sure the team who thought of this look back on it and say, "It worked!"
ReplyDeleteWho was that actress? She has a great voice. She could persuade me to watch.
ReplyDeleteWell, that is... a thing that exists.
ReplyDeleteI remember one with Shelley Long holding a gift box saying it was "bright, bouncy, and funny" or something. Then thinking "this turkey doesn't stand a chance against the comic majesty of "Who's the Boss?".
ReplyDeleteshe shoulda had a boston accent.
ReplyDeleteThat's right. (Get up and boogie)
ReplyDeleteSo Ken, will you have a column anytime soon on the end of the MDA telethon?
ReplyDeleteOn one hand you have to give it credit for being different anyway. On the other hand it makes you suspect NBC couldn't find a clip they thought was funny. And she blinks too much.
ReplyDeleteThe blinking bothered me too.
ReplyDeleteI've seen that girl somewhere. She's a character actress and it's driving me crazy trying to remember either her name or where I saw her before.
NBC's promotions people were brilliant in that era...they got people talking, although not necessarily watching. When they got shows that were as fresh and/or funny as the promos, NBC went to #1.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the one with Danny DeVito for the relocating TAXI..."Same time--BETTER station"
I know it's not Lauren Tewes, but she looks and sounds somewhat like her. (to me)
ReplyDeleteAnd CHEERS wasn't a smash hit from episode 1? I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteI think the beer-mugs-smashing-together spot was actually a drunk driving PSA. I don't remember one like that for Cheers.
ReplyDeleteThat's actually the only one I remember. Maybe it was a spoof of a drunk driving ad.
DeleteSerious Friday Question: Why do studio execs seem so clueless most of the time? You'd think that there must be some smart ones out there, but there doesn't seem to be much evidence of that.
ReplyDeleteIf you think it's baffling now, try it with the sound off and the YouTube closed captions on. It's like watching someone read an owner's manual that was written in English by a Korean TV manufacturer. Why does YouTube even bother to include the CC button, other than for unintentional laughs?
ReplyDeleteCould that be Michele Greene, a couple of years before LA Law? She did bit parts in TV during her college years, which would have been right around this time.
ReplyDeleteThere was a drunk driving PSA that was similar. Though I don't know which came first.
ReplyDeleteIn the PSA, after a few smashes, a hand reaches up and stops the mugs from hitting.
In the Cheers promo, they clink twice, then smash on the third time. And hilarity ensues.
It worked, didn't it?
ReplyDeleteIs that Dana Sparks?
ReplyDeleteHate to pile on, but the on-camera talent certainly didn't reflect the target demographic...well, Cheers became iconic in spite of the campaign.
ReplyDeleteThey must have really blown the budget on that one!
ReplyDeleteDespite the lack of production values, wit, charm or self awareness, what she says is undeniably correct.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually watching CHEERS for the first time! I'm really enjoying it. I'd already watched FRASIER and I really wanted to know more about Frasier and Lilith's backstory.
ReplyDeleteWow! That would really have caught my interest NOT!
ReplyDeleteNot bad, kind of a teaser. Makes one curious to find out what the show is about.
ReplyDelete