15 Old-School TV Commercials That Wouldn’t Air Today
These vintage ads pushed boundaries so far that they’d never make it past today’s standards.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Commercials used to be wild, unfiltered, and at times, shockingly offensive by modern standards. From outdated gender roles to casual racism, these TV ads reflect a time when political correctness wasn’t in the vocabulary. Let’s take a cringe-worthy walk through 15 commercials that simply wouldn’t survive a single pitch meeting today.
1. Pepsi – “Come Alive!” (1960s)
Ethan Sees on Pexels
This global ad backfired in China, where the slogan translated to “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.” What was meant to be energetic came off as culturally absurd.
2. Folgers – “Wife Can’t Make Coffee” (1970s)
Mike Mozart on Flickr
This ad featured a husband scolding his wife for making bad coffee, only to praise her when she switches to Folgers. It reeks of outdated gender expectations. Modern viewers would find the tone insulting and condescending.
3. Camel Cigarettes – “Doctors Recommend” (1940s)
Pittigrilli on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, they actually claimed physicians preferred Camels. It used fake medical endorsements to sell smokes. This kind of blatant misinformation would be illegal today.
4. Mr. Clean – “She’ll Have Time to Be Pretty” (1960s)
Ed from Ohio on Flickr
The commercial implied that using Mr. Clean would free up housewives to focus on their looks. It confined women to roles centered on cleanliness and appearance.
5. Coca-Cola – “Mean Joe Greene” (1979)
James Yarema on Unsplash
Though iconic, it’s now criticized for portraying racial stereotypes and exploiting emotional manipulation. The ad tugs heartstrings but simplifies complex issues for commercial gain.
6. Flintstones – Winston Cigarettes (1961)
Wampenseppl on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, cartoon characters promoted cigarettes. Fred and Barney puffed away, pushing Winston smokes in a light-hearted tone. Today, such a thing would face massive backlash and fines.
7. Ayds Candy – “Dieting with Ayds” (1980s)
A.Currell on Flickr
This diet supplement was doomed by an unfortunate coincidence — the rise of the AIDS epidemic. While unintentional, the name aged terribly. The company eventually changed its branding, but the damage had already been done.
8. Hardee’s – “Big Hardee” (1990s)
CapCase on Wikimedia Commons
This over-the-top burger ad oozed machismo and objectified women to sell fast food. It played off innuendo more than taste. Today, it would spark social media outrage in minutes.
9. Calvin Klein Jeans – “Nothing Gets Between Me and My Calvins” (1980)
Raysonho on Wikimedia Commons
The Brooke Shields ad was banned in multiple markets due to its suggestive undertone and featuring a teenage model. It stirred debates over exploitation and responsibility.
10. McDonald’s – “You Deserve a Break Today” (1970s)
Janet Ganbold on Unsplash
While catchy, the original jingle’s visuals featured only white families and ignored urban diversity. It’s not the message, but the lack of representation that dates this one.
11. Noxzema Shaving Cream – “Take it off, Take it all off” (1973)
Roadsidepictures on Flickr
Featuring a sultry Farrah Fawcett, this ad seduced men into better grooming, making it racy for its time. It relied entirely on sex appeal to sell shaving cream. That style of selling would get flagged fast in today’s ad space.
12. Sprite – “Obey Your Thirst” with Violence (1990s)
Valentina Tamayo on Unsplash
A gritty campaign featuring underground rappers sometimes included raw and aggressive themes. It walked a fine line between edgy and dangerous. Today, brands stay away from anything that could be seen as glorifying violence.
13. Cheerios – “Perfect for Mom” (1950s)
Th78blue on Wikimedia Commons
This ad addressed moms only, assuming they alone bought and served breakfast. Dad? Not in sight. The commercial’s single-gender messaging would now feel outdated and tone-deaf.
14. Burger King – “Herb the Nerd” (1980s)
Ismail Hadine on Unsplash
An entire campaign mocked a fictional customer who never had a Whopper. The character was portrayed as awkward and socially clueless, drawing laughs at his expense. Audiences today prefer uplifting narratives over mockery.
15. Goodyear – “Because So Much Is Riding on Your Tires” (1975)
TaurusEmerald on Wikimedia Commons
While the slogan remains famous, early ads used fear-based imagery of family car crashes. The scare tactics were intense for a tire commercial. Today’s ad standards frown on using fear to sell safety.