13 Unforgettable Local Commercials from the ’90s
This listicle features 13 quirky and memorable local TV commercials from the 1990s that left a lasting impression.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
These 13 local commercials from the ’90s were funny, strange, and sometimes unintentionally iconic. Their charm often came from low budgets, over-the-top acting, and creative gimmicks. Even decades later, they remain unforgettable to those who saw them.
1. Budget Divorce Hotline
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
Nothing screamed local TV like aggressively cheap divorce services. This ad promised legal separation for less than the cost of a cassette tape, complete with flashing phone numbers and animated graphics that looked like they were made on a home computer. The awkward delivery and low production made it even more memorable for viewers.
2. Eagle Man Lays An Egg
Gillfoto on Wikimedia Commons
In Chicago, a strange insurance mascot in a giant eagle costume landed on a car roof and laid a huge egg. The ad’s odd pacing and drawn-out catchphrase became stuck in the heads of everyone who saw it. It was so bizarre that people still quote it decades later.
3. Pizza Head vs. Steve the Cutter
Yum! Brands on Wikimedia Commons
This Pizza Hut campaign featured a slice of pizza with eyes and a nervous personality named Pizza Head. In each ad, he faced danger from his relentless foe, Steve the pizza cutter. The quirky animation and dark humor made it unlike any other food commercial at the time.
4. Sears Kenmore: Husbands Snap to It
Kenmore on Wikimedia Commons
Sears Kenmore ads often showed husbands scrambling to fix household problems with the help of their products. The scenarios were familiar, exaggerated, and just relatable enough to make viewers chuckle. It was everyday life turned into lighthearted marketing.
5. Miss Cleo Psychic Hotline
Oneras on Wikimedia Commons
Miss Cleo promised to reveal your future through late-night phone calls filled with dramatic readings. Her strong accent, colorful wardrobe, and bold claims drew curious callers. Even skeptics remembered the “Call me now” pitch long after the commercials stopped airing.
6. Baby So Real Doll
Sissel Bjørstad Skille (doll artist) on Wikimedia Commons
This doll was advertised as looking and acting like a real baby, which made it fascinating and a little unsettling. The commercial showed wide-eyed laughter and lifelike movements that felt oddly intense for a toy. Kids loved it, while adults often found it a bit too realistic.
7. Hungry Hungry Hippos Jingle
Dave Fischer on Wikimedia Commons
The ad for Hungry Hungry Hippos was full of fast-paced action and an unforgettable song. Animated hippos chomped away at marbles with exaggerated movements that made kids want the game instantly. It was noisy, silly, and pure ’90s fun.
8. Trix Rabbit’s Never-Ending Quest
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
The Trix rabbit spent commercial after commercial trying and failing to get a taste of the cereal he loved. Kids enjoyed the silly chases and colorful animation, even though the rabbit never won. The famous catchphrase became part of pop culture.
9. Fabio—Butter Statue
Toglenn on Wikimedia Commons
Fabio appeared as a statue made entirely of butter in a surreal ad for margarine. The image was strange yet impossible to forget, mixing romance-novel glamour with grocery-store marketing. It left people talking about the product even if they did not buy it.
10. Bagel Bites: Pizza Anytime
Sturmen on Wikimedia Commons
The Bagel Bites ad came with a jingle that made pizza sound perfect for any time of the day. Bright visuals and playful energy made it stand out during commercial breaks. It was the kind of tune you would hum hours later without realizing it.
11. Fancy Mustard, Fancy People
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
The Grey Poupon ad featured two well-dressed drivers exchanging mustard through their car windows. Its calm tone and polite dialogue made it funny in a subtle way. People repeated the line “Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?” for years.
12. Mentos
Category:Images by User:Dewet on Wikimedia Commons
Mentos ads showed everyday situations turning playful and clever thanks to a quick-thinking character. The upbeat music and cheesy smiles made the scenes light and memorable. The product became linked to fun and confidence.
13. Duracell’s Creepy Puttermans
Encik Tekateki on Wikimedia Commons
The Puttermans were a fictional family powered by Duracell batteries, shown as rubbery, almost human figures. Their appearance was strange enough to be unforgettable, and the ads leaned into that weirdness. People remembered the visuals even if they forgot the exact product message.