Episode 10 – Radio Killed The Video Star (12 Apr 1986 - ITV Central – Reebok, Ryvita, Electricity Board, Halifax, Philips, Renault)

Episode 10 – Radio Killed The Video Star (12 Apr 1986 ITV Central – Reebok, Ryvita, Electricity Board, Halifax, Philips, Renault) We are 10! Well, not in years, but we’ve hit the big one-zero in episodes.To celebrate we’ve treated ourselves, and you, to a very special guest. John Rain from the magnificent SMERSHPOD takes a break from dissecting films to help us parse some ads. And, my my, what ads. We’re deep in the mid 80s once again and, my my, it shows. Reebok gives us a montage of fitness opportunities, but its high-fashion sketchy style only feeds the suspicion its product was being used to sketchier ends. Ryvita passes the Bechdel Test, but in a way emptier even than the calorie content in its, mark you, wholemeal crispbread. The Electricity Board shows that it’s not to be undone by Gas (see TTB4) in the self-congratulatory, come-and-privatise me stakes. Halifax perfects the trick of offering simultaneously high and low interest. Philips takes us on a tragical history tour of recorded sound, and tells us the correct format for enjoying Punk Rock, before Renault shows us the Me-decade’s altruistic side by giving half its airtime to the capital’s king of the airwaves.Contains marginally more than the correct amount of swearing.If you want to hear more from John Rain – seek out his wonderful SMERSHPOD podcast on all your usual platforms. You can find the ad break in question here: https://youtu.be/h2lzOLdHu50?is=oz0el7QXT0-5Zbc-Many thanks to MrBetamax for releasing this clip into the world. Also a big shout out to our friends at the UKADs Facebook group – look them up for daily 70s, 80s, and 90s UK TV ad deep cuts.If you remember any of these ads and want to comment on them, or the show in general, you can find us here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568524318900 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.