16 Ads That Played Every Commercial Break
These were the ads Americans couldn’t escape — played so often they became cultural wallpaper.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
TV commercials have shaped American pop culture just as much as movies and music. Some ads aired so frequently during commercial breaks that they became part of everyday life, with jingles, catchphrases, and characters seared into viewers’ memories. From Folgers’ warm wake-up call to Budweiser’s loud “Wassup,” these 16 real and iconic advertisements represent the golden (and sometimes grating) age of repetitive American advertising.
1. Coca-Cola’s “Mean Joe Greene” (1979)
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This ad features NFL legend “Mean” Joe Greene being handed a Coke by a young fan. The tough football player surprises everyone with a soft smile and tosses the kid his jersey. It became a cultural moment that defined Coca-Cola’s emotional branding.
2. McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” (2003–present)
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This jingle-powered campaign became nearly inescapable in the 2000s. Backed by Justin Timberlake’s voice and a global push, it ran across every kind of media. You could hear “I’m Lovin’ It” in your head, whether or not you had fries in hand.
3. GEICO’s Caveman Series (2004–2010)
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With the tagline “So easy a caveman could do it,” this series created an unlikely comedic success. It became so popular that it even inspired a short-lived TV sitcom. GEICO ran these ads endlessly during sports and primetime slots.
4. Budweiser’s “Wassup” (1999)
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The “Wassup” ad campaign turned a single word into a national greeting. It featured friends calling each other and yelling “Wassup” into the phone repeatedly. You couldn’t watch TV in the early 2000s without hearing it once per break.
5. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)
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Isaiah Mustafa’s surreal monologue and smooth delivery made this ad viral overnight. It aired constantly and was backed by a full digital campaign. Its success rebranded Old Spice from “dad deodorant” to modern classic.
6. Tootsie Pop’s “How Many Licks?” (1970)
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The wise old owl biting into a Tootsie Pop asked the eternal question: “How many licks does it take to get to the center?” This ad ran for decades with minimal changes. Its hand-drawn animation and catchy dialogue made it unforgettable.
7. Verizon’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” (2002–2011)
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Paul Marcarelli’s glasses-wearing tech guy was everywhere for nearly a decade. He wandered various locations asking “Can you hear me now?” in every commercial break. It turned into one of the most parodied catchphrases in ad history.
8. Folgers’ “Best Part of Wakin’ Up” (1984–present)
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That jingle — “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup” — was basically background noise on morning TV. Their warm, comforting scenes were shown so often that they became part of people’s routine. It was the scent and sound of American mornings.
9. Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?” (1984)
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An elderly woman shouting “Where’s the beef?” made this ad go viral before the internet existed. The campaign criticized competitors’ small burger patties and became a pop culture catchphrase. It was repeated endlessly and even quoted in politics.
10. HeadOn “Apply Directly to the Forehead” (2006)
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This low-budget ad for a headache product repeated the phrase “Apply directly to the forehead” three times. Its strange repetitiveness made it impossible to ignore. Though annoying, it played often enough to earn cult status.
11. Snickers’ “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” (2010–present)
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This campaign used celebrities transforming into irritable versions of people who hadn’t eaten. The Betty White Super Bowl spot kicked off the series and was played constantly. It revived Snickers as a humorous, hunger-satisfying candy.
12. Toys “R” Us “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” (1980s–2000s)
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Kids across America knew this jingle by heart. It aired every Saturday morning during cartoon blocks and holiday seasons. The ad made being a Toys “R” Us kid feel like a permanent identity.
13. DirecTV’s Rob Lowe Series (2014)
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These commercials featured actor Rob Lowe and his awkward alter-egos, like “Creepy Rob Lowe” or “Super Awkward Rob Lowe.” They aired on heavy rotation during football and primetime shows. The quirky characters kept people watching — and laughing.
14. Charmin’s Mr. Whipple (1960s–1980s)
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Mr. Whipple begged customers, “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin,” in over 500 commercials. He became one of the most recognizable ad characters in history. The campaign aired consistently for more than two decades.
15. Apple’s “Get a Mac” (2006–2009)
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This minimalist campaign featured Justin Long as a cool Mac and John Hodgman as a bumbling PC. The ads aired everywhere tech buyers might be watching. With smart humor and simplicity, they turned Apple into a lifestyle brand.
16. Mentos “The Freshmaker” (1991–early 2000s)
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With cheesy music and over-the-top solutions to everyday problems, the Mentos ads became a meme before memes existed. They aired frequently across youth and music networks. The slogan “The Freshmaker” was burned into ’90s pop culture memory.