"Get yourself ready for a trip through McDonaldland," is the opening line of the song in the no-doubt LSD-inspired McDonald's commercial that follows. Trip being the operative word here. As the blog AdFreak put it, "Why are all old McDonald's commercials so creepy?" I couldn't agree more.
An explanation lies in the fact that he operative words here are "trip" and "70's". (Okay, one of them is really a number, but ....)
By the very early 1970's, LSD and other psychedelics had already been around long enough that use of the word "trip" exposed you as either a rank amature, or a Madison Avenue ad agency trying to be "hip".
The McDonalds ads are a typical example of a feeble attempt by the latter trying to target market the former.
SB (was there, did that)(and I don't mean that I was an ad exec!)
They were sued for these ads, too, and lost--the court found they infringed the copyright on H.R. Pufnstuf. So creepy AND unoriginal. Good work, Mickey D's.
Sid and Marty Krofft made H.R. Pufnstuf and several other Saturday morning kid shows that looked like that ad and like everyone involved was high on something.
Creepy indeed. I love the as for The McDLT though. That was before my time but I would love to try it now-a-days. I know the packaging is eco-unfriendly but maybe they could do it somehow so that it worked. I never eat fast food but I love watching all the crazy new items that they come up with. That would actually be my ideal job. Creating wacky menu items for Taco Bell or McDonald's, anyone know how I can get in on this?
Bear: I was just thinking about the McDLT today and hit upon why it failed. It basically solves a PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. If McD's was cooking FRESH -- or even frozen burgers cooked to order -- there would be no need for a conveyance to keep a hot side hot and a cool side cool.
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8 Comments:
An explanation lies in the fact that he operative words here are "trip" and "70's". (Okay, one of them is really a number, but ....)
By the very early 1970's, LSD and other psychedelics had already been around long enough that use of the word "trip" exposed you as either a rank amature, or a Madison Avenue ad agency trying to be "hip".
The McDonalds ads are a typical example of a feeble attempt by the latter trying to target market the former.
SB (was there, did that)(and I don't mean that I was an ad exec!)
srhcb at 12:27PM on 03/08/08
They were sued for these ads, too, and lost--the court found they infringed the copyright on H.R. Pufnstuf. So creepy AND unoriginal. Good work, Mickey D's.
kateeatsalot at 1:16PM on 03/08/08
Sid and Marty Krofft made H.R. Pufnstuf and several other Saturday morning kid shows that looked like that ad and like everyone involved was high on something.
eatorama at 5:44PM on 03/08/08
OMG! I remember that ad! It freaked the hell out of me, as did ALL of that Sid and Marty Krofft crap!!
GumbeauxGal at 10:10PM on 03/09/08
Creepy indeed. I love the as for The McDLT though. That was before my time but I would love to try it now-a-days. I know the packaging is eco-unfriendly but maybe they could do it somehow so that it worked. I never eat fast food but I love watching all the crazy new items that they come up with. That would actually be my ideal job. Creating wacky menu items for Taco Bell or McDonald's, anyone know how I can get in on this?
bearsilber at 1:34PM on 03/10/08
Bear: I was just thinking about the McDLT today and hit upon why it failed. It basically solves a PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM. If McD's was cooking FRESH -- or even frozen burgers cooked to order -- there would be no need for a conveyance to keep a hot side hot and a cool side cool.
Adam Kuban at 3:37PM on 03/10/08
Reminds me of the 70's kid's show "Magic Garden." That and some of Jim Henson's pre-Muppet work.
Joey Deckle at 3:03AM on 03/11/08
Ahhh It's just pure innocence.. But in time when life was pure and fun..
burger guy at 11:25AM on 03/11/08