14 TV Commercials from the ’90s That Would Be Canceled Today
The 1990s were a wild time for advertising, where shock value often won over sensitivity or common sense. Many commercials aired without a second thought that would cause outrage or instant backlash if shown today.
- Tricia Quitales
- 5 min read
Advertising in the 1990s often pushed boundaries that would not be acceptable now. Humor, stereotypes, and controversial imagery were used without much concern for long-term cultural impact. As awareness around issues like gender, race, mental health, and body image has grown, many of these ads now seem tone-deaf or offensive. Revisiting them reveals how much marketing has evolved and how much needed to change.
1. Pepsi’s “Number Fever” Disaster in the Philippines
PepsiCo / Regal Cinemas on Wikimedia
Pepsi’s 1992 campaign promised big cash prizes to people with winning bottle caps. Due to a major error, thousands believed they had won, causing riots and deaths. The commercial promoted excitement and luck without preparation for consequences. It came across as careless and irresponsible in hindsight. Such a campaign would never run today without stricter safeguards.
2. Calvin Klein “Casting Call” Ads
Peter Saville on Wikimedia
These black-and-white commercials featured teens in provocative poses being interviewed by off-camera adults. The aesthetic mimicked adult film casting formats, sparking immediate discomfort. Critics said it sexualized minors under the guise of fashion. Calvin Klein faced intense backlash at the time. Today, that ad would be pulled immediately and likely face legal scrutiny.
3. Mountain Dew “Do the Dew” Extreme Sports Ads
PepsiCo on Wikimedia
These ads often glorified dangerous stunts with little context or safety messaging. Teenagers were shown skateboarding off rooftops and jumping from high places. The message implied that risk-taking equaled coolness. It encouraged unsafe behavior among impressionable viewers. Modern advertising requires disclaimers and more responsible framing.
4. Sprite’s “Obey Your Thirst” Rap Battle Parodies
TAC PlazaMaster on Wikimedia
While catchy, some of these ads relied on exaggerated portrayals of hip-hop culture. They used slang and style without respect for its origins. The campaigns often bordered on caricature. Critics accused Sprite of cultural appropriation for profit. Today’s brands aim to collaborate with authenticity, not parody.
5. Mentos “The Freshmaker” Commercials
CFP brands on Wikimedia
These ads featured people solving problems with overly exaggerated confidence, often bending rules or mocking authority. One memorable ad had a man sit on freshly painted benches to fake pinstripes on his suit. While meant to be playful, they suggested dishonesty and manipulation as clever traits. They would be viewed as promoting bad behavior. Brands today are expected to set better examples.
6. Burger King’s “Herb the Nerd” Campaign
Burger King on Wikimedia
The campaign mocked a fictional character, Herb, for never having tried a Whopper. The ads insulted him as unattractive, awkward, and pathetic. It encouraged ridicule for marketing purposes. Using shame to sell fast food wouldn’t be accepted now. Modern campaigns focus on inclusion, not humiliation.
7. Dr Pepper’s “Be You. Be a Pepper.” Spots
Shisma on Wikimedia
These commercials sometimes reinforced stereotypes under the guise of individuality. One ad showed people acting erratically to express their uniqueness. Instead of celebrating diversity, it painted differences as strange or laughable. The message was unclear and lacked respect for real self-expression. Ads today approach identity with much more care.
8. Skittles’ “Taste the Rainbow” Early Ads
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia
The iconic Skittles commercials of the ’90s pushed the boundaries of weird and whimsical, often veering into bizarre territory that wouldn’t fly today. With surreal humor and sometimes questionable innuendos, these ads captured attention but also raised eyebrows. In today’s more socially aware climate, many of these spots would likely be pulled for being too strange, insensitive, or just plain inappropriate.
9. PlayStation’s “Mental Wealth” Commercial
Sony Interactive Entertainment on Wikimedia
This haunting ad featured a digitally altered girl with exaggerated facial features, giving a cryptic monologue. It was intended to be artistic and thought-provoking. Instead, it disturbed many viewers and drew criticism for its creepy tone. Mental health advocates called it insensitive. That kind of imagery would be reconsidered or reworked today.
10. Taco Bell’s Chihuahua Ads
wkn on Pexels
The talking Chihuahua mascot became wildly popular but also deeply controversial. Critics said it played into Latino stereotypes and reduced culture to a catchphrase. Animal rights groups also voiced concern over the dog’s treatment. Though iconic, the campaign faced mounting pressure. It would not fly in today’s more socially aware environment.
11. Nike’s “Chamber of Fear” Ads with LeBron James
Carolyn Davidson, Nike on Wikimedia
These kung fu-style ads showed James fighting enemies in stylized Asian settings. While visually interesting, they leaned heavily on stereotypical martial arts imagery. The campaign faced backlash in China for cultural insensitivity. It was pulled shortly after release. Cultural representation is handled more carefully today.
12. Gushers Fruit Snack “Transformation” Ads
Thomson200 on Wikimedia
Kids’ heads turning into fruit after eating Gushers was a bizarre visual. One ad showed a child’s head exploding into a giant watermelon with goo everywhere. It walked a fine line between humor and horror. Parents worried about the disturbing imagery. Today, it would be seen as too unsettling for children’s marketing.
13. Axe Body Spray’s “Chick Magnet” Campaigns
Evan7878 on Wikimedia
These ads featured women swarming men after they used Axe, often portrayed in overly sexual and objectifying ways. They reduced attraction to a product alone and relied on sexist tropes. The campaign was widely popular but also heavily criticized. It pushed unrealistic expectations and inappropriate behavior. Modern grooming ads promote confidence without demeaning others.
14. SlimFast “Before and After” Weight Loss Commercials
SHVETS production on Pexels
Using drastic before-and-after images, these ads often shamed heavier bodies while glorifying extreme thinness. The message equated happiness with being slim. They lacked nuance and ignored mental health or body diversity. Body-positive movements have since challenged such narratives. Current health brands are more likely to embrace holistic well-being.