The 1970s were a golden era for creativity in advertising, but they were also a time when TV commercials pushed boundaries in ways that wouldn’t fly today. From eyebrow-raising humor to problematic stereotypes, these ads were a product of their time—and they’ll leave you laughing, cringing, or both. Here’s a nostalgic look at 15 outrageous TV commercials from the ’70s that simply wouldn’t make it past today’s ad executives.
1. Nair’s “Who Wears Short Shorts?”
This catchy jingle featured women in revealing short shorts dancing and singing about hair removal. While it was meant to be fun and flirty, the heavy focus on objectifying women’s bodies feels outdated now. The ad wasn’t just selling a product—it was selling a specific image of beauty, one rooted in societal pressures. The song itself was infectious, making the commercial a hit, but its messaging reinforced the idea that women’s worth was tied to how much skin they could confidently show.
Modern advertising still promotes beauty products but with a much-needed emphasis on empowerment rather than conformity. Brands today are more likely to celebrate individuality and choice rather than dictate standards. Looking back, the Nair commercial epitomizes the male gaze and a time when such portrayals were barely questioned. It’s an example of how a lighthearted tone can mask a deeper cultural issue, leaving viewers nostalgic for the jingle but relieved that societal attitudes have shifted.
3. The Flintstones Smoking Winston Cigarettes
Imagine Fred and Barney taking a break from quarry work not with a refreshing soda but with a smoke! This commercial showed the beloved cartoon characters lighting up and praising the “smooth taste” of Winstons. It was comically casual—Fred even puffed away while talking about his chores. At the time, this felt oddly normal since ads were all over television, and societal concerns about tobacco were just beginning to gain traction. Kids watching Saturday morning cartoons were exposed to their favorite prehistoric pals indulging in a decidedly adult habit.
Today, it’s shocking to think of an ad where animated characters, especially ones geared toward children, promote smoking. The cultural shift around tobacco advertising and the protection of children’s media make this commercial seem like a relic from another planet. Smoking ads were banned from TV in 1971, so this one became a symbol of a bygone era—one where even the Stone Age seemed to have a cloud of smoke hanging over it. The disconnect between the innocence of animation and the health risks of smoking makes it all the more surreal when viewed through a modern lens.
3. Mr. Whipple’s “Don’t Squeeze the Charmin”
Mr. Whipple became an unlikely household name in the ’70s, scolding shoppers for squeezing toilet paper only to sneak a few squeezes himself. The humor came from his hypocrisy, and his antics made him an enduring mascot for Charmin. Shoppers in the ads, mostly women, were portrayed as being oddly obsessed with the softness of the toilet paper, adding a quirky charm. The commercial’s lighthearted tone made it a favorite, even though its premise was undeniably odd.
Today, the idea of a man obsessively handling bathroom products and scolding women in a store might feel unsettling or inappropriate. Advertising has moved away from gendered portrayals like this, aiming for inclusivity and avoiding any hint of creepiness. Still, Mr. Whipple’s legacy remains, as his tagline is instantly recognizable to those who grew up in the era. It’s a reminder of how much humor and advertising styles have evolved, even as the nostalgia for these quirky moments lingers.
4. Ajax’s “White Knight” Cleaner Commercial
A knight in shining armor literally galloped into kitchens to save the day with Ajax cleaner. This whimsical ad painted household cleaning as a fairytale rescue mission, with the knight symbolizing the product’s effectiveness. While it was a fun and creative approach, the underlying message reinforced outdated gender roles. The implication that housewives needed a “knight” to save them from dirty floors feels absurdly tone-deaf by today’s standards.
Modern commercials strive to represent men and women equally in household roles, making ads like this feel like a relic of a bygone era. The imagery of a medieval knight juxtaposed with a modern kitchen is still amusing, but the gendered messaging doesn’t hold up. It’s a fascinating look at how advertising once leaned heavily on fantasy to sell mundane products. While the ad is a nostalgic reminder of the ’70s, it’s also a stark example of how societal expectations have changed.
5. Love’s Baby Soft Perfume for Girls
This one is a head-shaker. The ad featured girlish innocence juxtaposed with suggestive looks, all paired with a tagline asserting that innocence is more attractive than you think. Even in the permissive ’70s, this ad caused controversy for its unsettling message. The product itself was a sweet, powdery perfume marketed to teens, but the suggestive tone of the commercial blurred the lines uncomfortably. It was a bold and risky campaign that left a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons.
Today, this ad would be universally condemned for its inappropriate and unsettling implications. Advertising aimed at young people has become much more careful about messaging, emphasizing empowerment and age-appropriate themes. Looking back, this commercial feels like a relic of a time when shock value often outweighed good judgment. It’s a jarring reminder of how far advertising standards have come in protecting young audiences.
6. Schlitz Beer’s “Gusto” Campaign
Schlitz Beer ran commercials urging viewers to “Go for the Gusto,” portraying macho men extreme exertions. The ads celebrated masculinity in a way that was almost a caricature, with over-the-top depictions of toughness and stoicism. At the time, the campaign resonated with its target audience, but today it feels overly simplistic and exclusionary, catering to a narrow vision of what it meant to “live life to the fullest.”
Modern beer ads tend to embrace diversity and humor, moving away from rigid definitions of gender roles. The Schlitz campaign is a reminder of an era when beer advertising relied heavily on stereotypes about men and masculinity. For those who recall it, the ads bring back memories of the larger-than-life portrayals of the ’70s. It’s a nostalgic nod to a time when gusto was the ultimate goal, even if it was paired with a frothy mug of beer.
7. Calgon’s “Ancient Chinese Secret”
This commercial featured a laundromat owner—an Asian man—who claimed his spotless laundry results came from an “ancient Chinese secret.” The twist? His wife revealed that it was actually Calgon detergent doing the work. While the ad aimed to be humorous, it leaned heavily on stereotypes, portraying Asian characters in a way that feels reductive and outdated. At the time, it was a lighthearted gag, but it’s clear now how such portrayals reinforced harmful cultural stereotypes.
Today, the commercial would be criticized for its casual stereotyping and lack of cultural sensitivity. Advertisers have become more aware of the importance of authentic representation and steering clear of clichés. The ad remains a vivid example of how cultural norms evolve and why it’s important to approach advertising with care. For those who remember it, the commercial is both a nostalgic relic and a reminder of how far we’ve come in addressing cultural representation.
8. Frito Bandito’s Cartoon Mascot
The Frito Bandito, a cartoon character used to promote Fritos corn chips, was a caricatured Mexican bandit complete with a sombrero, thick mustache, and exaggerated accent. The character sang a catchy tune about stealing Fritos, and while it was intended to be humorous, it relied on offensive stereotypes. At the time, the Frito Bandito was popular enough to inspire merchandise, but it also sparked backlash from advocacy groups.
Today, this kind of representation would be seen as offensive and inappropriate, and rightly so. Modern advertising has moved away from using stereotypical characters to sell products, focusing instead on diversity and inclusivity. The Frito Bandito’s legacy is a reminder of how humor that punches down can age poorly. For those who grew up with the jingle, it’s a nostalgic but problematic piece of advertising history that shows just how much perspectives have shifted.
9. Tab Soda’s Weight-Loss Messaging
Tab’s commercials in the ’70s explicitly targeted women with the promise that drinking the soda would help them stay slim and attractive. Taglines like “Tab—for beautiful people” reinforced narrow beauty standards and tied self-worth to appearance. The ads often featured glamorous women enjoying Tab while hinting that their success or desirability depended on their looks. At the time, this kind of messaging was commonplace, but it feels glaringly inappropriate now.
Modern soda advertising tends to avoid such overtly body-focused messaging, emphasizing flavor or lifestyle benefits instead. Tab’s campaign is a time capsule of a period when societal pressures on women were unabashedly reflected in advertising. For those who remember the soda, the ads may bring back memories of a different era—one that we’re better off leaving in the past. It’s a stark reminder of how advertising can shape and reinforce cultural norms, for better or worse.
10. Burger King’s “Herb the Nerd” Campaign
This campaign introduced Herb, a fictional character who had never tried a Whopper. Burger King encouraged customers to find Herb in their restaurants for a chance to win prizes. While the idea was creative, the execution was clunky and often mocked Herb’s nerdy persona in ways that felt mean-spirited. The campaign hinged on poking fun at Herb’s lack of coolness, portraying him as awkward and out of touch. At the time, this humor resonated with audiences, but it leaned on stereotypes about nerds that feel dated and unkind today.
Modern advertising is more mindful about avoiding humor that targets specific groups or traits, opting for more inclusive approaches. The “Herb the Nerd” campaign is a reminder of a time when teasing was considered harmless fun, even if it came at someone’s expense. For those who remember the promotion, it’s a nostalgic but cringeworthy relic of ’70s advertising. It’s fascinating to see how much tastes and sensitivities have evolved in the decades since.
11. Koogle’s “Peanut Spread Commercial”
Koogle, a flavored peanut spread, had a memorable series of commercials featuring a puppet mascot with googly eyes and a wacky voice. The ads were chaotic, with the puppet shouting about flavors like banana and chocolate, aiming to grab kids’ attention. While fun at the time, the hyperactive style and borderline aggressive tone would likely feel overwhelming and inappropriate today. The ad’s reliance on sugar-fueled zaniness mirrored the product itself—a highly sweetened snack aimed squarely at children.
Today’s parents might balk at a campaign that markets sugary treats so aggressively to kids. Advertising regulations now require a more balanced approach when targeting young audiences. Still, Koogle’s commercials are a nostalgic snapshot of a time when over-the-top mascots ruled the airwaves. For those who remember the puppet’s antics, it’s a bittersweet reminder of simpler times—and a little gratitude for the quieter, more thoughtful ads of today.
12. Virginia Slims’ “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby”
This cigarette ad targeted women with a feminist slant, claiming that smoking Virginia Slims was a symbol of independence and progress. The campaign was wildly successful, blending social movements with product marketing in a way that felt empowering at the time. The ads often featured women breaking traditional molds, smoking confidently as a sign of liberation. However, the juxtaposition of health risks with empowerment messaging is deeply problematic by today’s standards.
Today, it’s hard to imagine a cigarette company marketing itself as a champion of women’s rights. The Virginia Slims campaign is a poignant example of how advertisers once co-opted social movements for commercial gain. For those who lived through it, the tagline is still iconic, but it’s a bittersweet reminder of the contradictions of the era. It’s a fascinating piece of advertising history that shows how far public health awareness and advertising ethics have come.
13. Bic Banana Ink Crayons
Bic launched its Banana Ink Crayons with a bizarre commercial featuring bananas dancing and singing about the product. The ad was colorful, whimsical, and slightly surreal, aiming to make the crayons appealing to kids. However, the anthropomorphic bananas were so over-the-top that they veered into the uncanny, leaving some viewers bewildered. At the time, this approach felt creative and fun, but today it might come across as trying too hard.
Modern children’s advertising tends to focus on clearer, more relatable messaging, avoiding the overly bizarre. The Bic Banana ad is a nostalgic glimpse into a time when advertisers weren’t afraid to get weird to stand out. For those who grew up seeing these commercials, it’s a fond memory of the quirks of ’70s marketing. It’s also a testament to the experimental spirit of the era, even if not all experiments aged gracefully.
The commercials of the 1970s were undeniably creative, but they also reflect the cultural norms and attitudes of their time—some nostalgic, some cringe-worthy, and some outright offensive. While these ads often bring a smile or a laugh as we remember their catchy jingles and over-the-top premises, they also serve as a reminder of how much society and advertising have evolved. Looking back, it’s clear that the commercials of the ’70s were a product of an era that didn’t yet prioritize inclusivity, sensitivity, or the long-term impact of its messaging. Revisiting them today offers not just a glimpse into the past but also a sense of gratitude for the progress we’ve made in how we communicate, entertain, and sell ideas to one another.
