The 1980s were a golden age for TV commercials, a time when catchy jingles, quirky mascots, and over-the-top taglines ruled the airwaves. These ads were more than just interruptions between your favorite shows—they were moments of entertainment in their own right. While some of the biggest commercials of the era are still remembered today, there are others that have faded from memory but deserve a shoutout for how much they defined the ‘80s.
1. Life Call’s “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up!”
This commercial might seem more like a punchline today, but back in the ‘80s, it was everywhere. The Life Call ad showed an elderly woman who had fallen and used her emergency alert device to call for help. The line “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” became a pop culture sensation, parodied in movies, TV shows, and even schoolyards. It was a strange but memorable part of the decade’s advertising landscape.
2. 7UP’s “Uncola” Campaign
The 7UP “Uncola” campaign was pure ‘80s magic. Instead of positioning 7UP as just another soda, the ads proudly called it the “Uncola,” poking fun at traditional colas like Coke and Pepsi. The commercials were colorful, quirky, and full of tropical imagery, with actor Geoffrey Holder’s deep voice booming, “The Uncola!” This was no ordinary soda; it was something different, rebellious, and fun—exactly what the 1980s were all about. That playful attitude made it stand out, and even though we don’t hear much about the “Uncola” today, its refreshing uniqueness is a fond memory for those who grew up with it.
3. Alka-Seltzer’s “I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing”
This one was classic ‘80s humor at its finest. A man sits in discomfort, groaning about how he ate too much, and his wife delivers the now-famous line, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” It was relatable in a hilarious way, and Alka-Seltzer quickly became associated with post-feast relief. While the brand is still around, the particular charm of this commercial—full of self-deprecating humor and a catchy jingle—feels like a time capsule from that era.
4. The Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” Lady
Clara Peller, the feisty elderly woman from Wendy’s, asking “Where’s the beef?” became an iconic moment in advertising history. The commercial poked fun at Wendy’s competitors by showing a massive burger bun with an absurdly small patty. Peller’s gruff delivery of the line struck a chord, and before long, it became a catchphrase across the country. Even though the ad is mostly forgotten today, that line truly captured the irreverent humor of ‘80s commercials.
5. Max Headroom for Coca-Cola’s New Coke
Remember New Coke? Even if the product itself flopped, the commercials featuring Max Headroom—a glitchy, futuristic computer-generated TV personality—were unforgettable. His rapid-fire speech and quirky look were a perfect fit for the experimental feel of the ‘80s. Max Headroom was a symbol of cool, and though New Coke wasn’t around for long, those ads were as cutting-edge as it got back then.
6. Honeycomb Cereal’s “Big! Big! Crunch!”
Cereal commercials in the ‘80s were all about fun, and Honeycomb’s “Big! Big! Crunch!” was no exception. The commercial featured kids in a clubhouse, shouting about how big and crunchy Honeycomb cereal was, while a theme song played in the background. It was loud, bold, and full of energy—everything you’d expect from an ‘80s ad targeting kids. The jingle alone could get stuck in your head for days, but the whole vibe of the ad screamed ‘80s fun.
7. The E.T. Atari Game Disaster
This wasn’t your typical commercial, but it’s a forgotten piece of ‘80s advertising history. Atari created a video game tie-in for the movie E.T., and the ads for it promised an out-of-this-world experience. Unfortunately, the game was a complete disaster, and the commercial quickly became an eerie reminder of one of the biggest flops in gaming history. Today, it’s a quirky footnote from the decade when both video games and TV commercials were taking big risks.
8. My Buddy Doll—The ‘80s Toy Every Kid Wanted
Before Toy Story or Chucky, there was My Buddy, the doll every boy was supposed to befriend. The commercial featured a catchy jingle that you could sing along to: “My buddy, my buddy, wherever I go, he goes. My buddy, my buddy! My buddy, and me!” While dolls were traditionally seen as toys for girls, My Buddy tried to change that, giving boys their own plush companion. The ad was both heartwarming and a little strange, but it definitely became part of the ‘80s pop culture.
9. Bubble Yum’s Rockin’ Rollers Commercial
Bubble Yum tapped into the ‘80s love for all things rock ‘n roll with a series of commercials featuring animated bubblegum rollers, skateboarding and jamming out to music. The visuals were bold and neon, and the jingle—about how cool and tough the gum was—captured the edgy, rebellious vibe of the decade. It was a reminder that even gum commercials were turned up to 11 in the ‘80s.
10. Lite Beer from Miller’s “Great Taste, Less Filling” Debate
This classic ad campaign pitted two groups of sports stars and celebrities against each other in a debate: which was more important, the beer’s great taste or the fact that it was less filling? It was a series of commercials that ran throughout the ‘80s, and each one was funnier than the last. The catchphrase became so iconic that it was quoted and referenced everywhere, though today’s beer ads feel a lot more polished and less goofy.
In the ‘80s, commercials were often as entertaining as the shows they interrupted. They had catchphrases and jingles that stuck with you long after the TV was turned off. Looking back, these ads were quirky, bold, and full of charm, just like the decade itself. While some of them have faded into the background, they still represent a time when TV was all about grabbing your attention—and holding onto it.
