13 TV Ads from the Past That Would Go Viral Today—for the Wrong Reasons
These outdated commercials would break the internet today — but mostly for how shockingly off they were.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Some vintage TV ads haven’t aged well. If these commercials aired now, they’d become viral for all the wrong reasons. They serve as a reminder for us just how far advertising (and society) has come. Here are 13 TV spots that would spark backlash, memes, and a thousand think pieces today.
1. Pepsi’s Kendall Jenner–Esque “Join the Conversation” Ad (Originals from the ’80s)
NIKHIL on Unsplash
Long before Kendall’s infamous Pepsi moment, the original “peace through soda” themes were already rolling. These ads showed chaotic protests magically resolving over a soda can. The message felt both naive and tone-deaf.
2. Folgers “The Best Part of Waking Up” Brother Returns Home Ad (2009)
Roadsidepictures on Flickr
Intended to be heartwarming, this coffee ad starring a sister overly thrilled to see her brother sparked some very weird vibes. Viewers noted the awkward energy and too-close dialogue. TikTok would tear this apart with edits and duets.
3. “I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid” Jingle with Zero Diversity
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Catchy, sure — but watching the full version today, you’d notice something missing: almost all the kids look the same. In today’s landscape, such casting would spark immediate backlash.
4. Burger King’s “Herb the Nerd” Campaign
Ismail Hadine on Unsplash
This bizarre character-driven campaign featured a sad, awkward man mocked by the public, and customers were expected to hunt him down in stores. The vibe felt more like bullying than branding.
5. Mentos Commercials with Weird Logic and Smug Grins
Scott Fiddelke on Flickr
In every Mentos ad, someone broke rules or social norms — then popped a candy like it excused everything. Parked in the wrong spot? Lie and smile.
6. Mr. Clean “She’ll Be Happier in a Cleaner Home” Ad
Roadsidepictures on Flickr
This ad implied a woman’s happiness hinged entirely on mopping floors. Mr. Clean flexed while the woman danced with a sponge. Social media would explode with critiques of outdated gender roles.
7. Campbell’s Soup “Mom’s Job Is Never Done” Spot
Wikimedia Commons
Cue the exhausted mom making soup while the whole family sits around doing nothing. The ad painted motherhood as servitude with a smile.
8. Life Savers “Wholesome Romance” Ad with a Toddler Wedding Vibe
Mike Mozart on Flickr
A little boy proposes to a girl on a playground with a candy ring. Meant to be cute, but it crosses into uncomfortable territory fast. Today’s viewers would flood the comments with “Yikes.”
9. Ajax “White Cleaner for a Whiter Wash” Ad
Pugilist on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, that was the actual slogan. It used racial and visual implications that would now set the internet on fire. Even if unintentional, the optics are shocking.
10. “Gee, Your Hair Smells Terrific” Shampoo Ad
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
This commercial’s entire pitch was a man sniffing a woman’s hair, commenting on it like it’s his business. It was creepy then, nightmare-fuel now.
11. “Keep Her Where She Belongs” Car Ad (1970s)
Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels
An ad actually implied that a woman should be “kept in her place” — inside the car, so she didn’t wreck it. The sexism wasn’t subtle — it was the selling point. If resurrected today, it would be canceled in milliseconds.
12. McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today”—Unless You’re the Worker
Erik Mclean on Unsplash
While the jingle promised joy to customers, the irony isn’t lost on modern viewers who now know about fast food labor conditions. The smiley ads contrast harshly with reality. Gen Z would call it performative, not comforting.
13. Alka-Seltzer’s “I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing” Ad
Mysterymanblue on Wikimedia Commons
This ad showed a man groaning in food-induced regret while his wife nagged in the background. It was funny once, but now comes off as a tired trope.