15 ’90s TV Commercials That Only Aired Once
These rare and often bizarre ’90s TV ads were pulled after one broadcast, leaving a strange legacy behind.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The ’90s delivered countless memorable commercials, but some were just poorly received to last. A handful aired only a single time before vanishing from the airwaves forever. From awkward misfires to baffling concepts, these 15 one-and-done ads have become cult legends in the world of retro TV.
1. McDonald’s – “The Arch Deluxe for Adults” (1996)
PatrickRich on Flickr
This ad tried to make burgers “grown-up” with wine, suits, and piano music. It confused loyal fans who just wanted fries and fun. Airing once during a prime-time slot, it was quietly shelved.
2. Reebok – “Dan & Dave Olympic Rivalry” (1992)
ReebokUSA on Wikimedia Commoms
The ad hyped two U.S. decathletes in a big Olympic showdown. The problem was that one didn’t even qualify. The spot ran once before becoming a PR nightmare.
3. Skittles – “The Forbidden Fruit” (1998)
David Adam Kess on Wikimedia Commons
A surreal commercial showed a man turning into a tree after eating a mysterious Skittle. Dark, strange, and not kid-friendly, it aired once during a late-night slot.
4. Nike – “Chainsaw Jogger” (1997)
wu yi on Unsplash
This horror-style ad featured a runner being chased by a masked man, only to escape thanks to Nike shoes. Intended as dark humor, audiences found it disturbing.
5. Sega – “Nights into Dreams Freakout” (1996)
Fabián Alexis on Wikimedia Commons
A kid in the ad screams nonstop after playing a Sega Saturn game. While meant to show excitement, the delivery was jarring and chaotic. It aired once and sparked complaints from parents.
6. General Motors – “Flying Car Concept” (1993)
opensourcepm on Flickr
This futuristic ad showed a family flying above traffic in a concept vehicle. Airing once during a tech conference broadcast, it was yanked due to safety backlash and skepticism.
7. Sprite – “Obey Your Thirst: Alien Audition” (1999)
Valentina Tamayo on Unsplash
An alien tries Sprite for the first time and combusts. The humor missed its mark, and some found it offensive. It ran one time before being scrapped.
8. Levi’s – “Bathtub Philosophy” (1995)
Wikimedia Commons
A man in a clawfoot tub monologues about denim and existentialism. It aired once on MTV before viewers called it pretentious and confusing.
9. Burger King – “The Flat Bun Fiasco” (1994)
litoon dev on Unsplash
Attempting to mock rivals, BK showcased burgers with intentionally deflated buns. The joke flopped hard and left viewers scratching their heads.
10. Apple – “Newton PDA Magic” (1993)
Felix Winkelnkemper on Wikimedia Commons
A magician used the Newton PDA to predict a card, but it malfunctioned on a live broadcast. The spot ran once before Apple re-edited the product’s marketing.
11. Pepsi – “Cyborg Grandma” (1997)
NIKHIL on Unsplash
An elderly woman drinks Pepsi and transforms into a robotic dancer. While quirky, it creeped out older viewers and confused younger ones.
12. Claritin – “Underwater Allergy Trial” (1996)
深志 on Wikimedia Commons
This ad featured a man sneezing underwater to show how Claritin works. It made zero scientific sense and was widely mocked. After airing once on a cable health program, it was pulled.
13. PlayStation – “Static Face” (1999)
barité Videojuegos on Flickr
A person’s face contorts in slow motion as console sounds play in the background. Dark, abstract, and a bit unsettling, the ad aired once in Europe and late-night U.S. slots.
14. Colgate – “Toothpaste Song and Dance” (1991)
William Warby on Flickr
A full musical number about fluoride, featuring animated molars and tap-dancing gums. It aired once during Saturday morning cartoons. Kids were baffled, and parents hated it.
15. AT&T – “Time Traveler’s Bill Shock” (1998)
Rpmoravski on Wikimedia Commons
A man from the future returns to warn himself about roaming fees. Meant to be clever, it was overly complicated and awkwardly delivered.