Like a lot of older actors who just assumed had died years ago, we didn’t realize until recently that the frozen veggie-shilling Jolly Green Giant had gone missing for most of the last decade. But after eight years of lying dormant in the back of the freezer with that block of peas you don’t remember buying and never quite feel like eating, General Mills has decided to bring back the 84-year-old character in a move to get kids eating vegetables.
From AdAge:
In recent years, the giant had been relegated to low-profile appearances, appearing only as a shadow in some spots. Stuck in a standing position for decades, he will transition from a protector of the land to a kind-friendly “wingman” for parents to help make healthy eating fun, said Yumi Clevenger-Lee, marketing manager for the Giant brand. On Facebook and at an augmented-reality event in New York City in October, he will ask kids to take “One Giant Pledge” to eat one more vegetable a day. “We’re bringing the jolly back to the Green Giant and helping him get his mojo back,” she said.
General Mills is also bringing back the Cheerio Kid, which we at Consumerist HQ only recognize from clip shows of vintage ads.
But all this nostalgia got us wondering which other former advertising characters deserve a resurrection. For instance, our inner kid would get a kick out of seeing actor David Leisure revive his Joe Isuzu act — though it might be a bit difficult since the only place you’ll see an Isuzu in the U.S. is in a used car lot. On second thought, that might make the ads even funnier.
Or maybe it’s time for the Charmin folks to bring back Mr. Whipple. Granted, the actor who played the character has passed away — so maybe Mythbusters’ Adam Savage can recreate his legendary character of Jimmy the stock boy?
Perhaps you say “good riddance” to any and all ad characters. Whatever your position on this topic, go ahead and share it in the comments.
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Joe Camel. But selling something that actually goes with his looks. Condoms maybe.
Classic Pansy Divsion… Touch My Joe Camel
You just made me think of a great ad for cigarettes. Anyone know where I can get in touch with…sorry, I mean contact Christina Amphlett?
Look how big the peas and corn are in his arms. He’s not a giant. He’s a pixie.
The Frito Bandito! He’ll be hugely popular with the growing Hispanic population in America! They’ll see him as cute and ironic. Right?
This made me laugh, although I’m not sure if I’m supposed to feel bad because of that or not. lol!
I had a Frito Bandito eraser that fit on the end of my pencil.
Waiting…..
And Sambos!
I remember eating there as a kid.
Holey cow, I haven’t thought of Sambos in ages! I remember eating pancakes there when I was just a wee tyke and I loved going there and seeing the story of the boy and the tiger!
I ate at one in Santa Barbara a couple of years ago. I also loved the boy and the tiger story, and the tiger butter.
I always liked Charlie the Tuna for StarKist.
I prefer Chali 2na.
We need to bring back the horrifying mascots of the past. The ones that are racially or culturally insensitive. The ones that are the complete opposite of politically correct. The ones fraught with sexism and elitism.
People are really stretching these days to find reasons to be offended. Let’s give ‘em some obvious ones.
So, Cherry Clan?
Like the Pillsbury Funny Face drinks (competitors to Kool-Aid) that were racist.
Go to youtube and search for “australia commercial steel wool”. I can’t imagine there are any worse than that.
Like the Cleveland Indians mascot? I mean the character, not the name.
The University of Mississippi did away with Colonel Reb a few years back, so a year or two ago they had a poll for a new mascot. (The nickname is still “Rebels.”) There was a popular movement among the students to elect Admiral Akbar (“It’s a trap!”), but of course the school wouldn’t have any of it. I don’t know what George Lucas thought about it.
Can they unfreeze “Where’s the beef?” Clara Peller?
Like a Wendy’s Classic Double, Clara Peller was always fresh and never frozen.
Quisp and Quake. Yummy Mummy! Frute Brute!!!!!
Quisp cereal is still around. It showed up in various areas of the country in the 1990s, then was sold online only in the 2000s and now is available at most Targets.
Yeah, Quisp started showing in in Tops markets in my region, although it’s only occasionally.
Same here. I’d never heard of it until I saw the old-looking packaging at my local Woodman’s grocery story (Wisconsin). I bought it. It was delicious(ly sweet).
Tangentially related: I always thought in one of the Hulk movies, they should have destroyed a grocery store and had the Hulk covered by or otherwise confronted with cans of Green Giant.
I agree; this would have been spectacular.
He could pick up a can, pause to look at it closer, shed a tear, and yell in a garbled but longing voice “Uncle Jolly!”
Then get even more mad and continue to demolish everything in the store.
GROW SOME FREAKING PANTS! That hem rides way to close to the edge of the forest.
Both the Kool Aid Man and the Hawaiian Punch Guy
The original Ronald McDonald
Sugar Bear and Capt Crunch
Sugar Bear! Damn, I remember when cereals had the word sugar in their names. Super Sugar Crisp, Sugar Pops, Sugar Frosted Flakes … oh, for the days of honesty in advertising
Now he’d have to be Corn Sugar Bear.
No, not the original, that leads to nightmares. http://consumerist.com/2011/06/original-ronald-mcdonald-was-really-creepy.html
I would like to see the Hamburglar and Mayor McCheese back, but there are legal issues.
Yeah what happened to all of the characters from McDonaldland? Are they in commercials at all? Like the Cheese Burglar!
Legal issues? What legal issues? Link/story plz …
And what ever happened to Grimice’s arms?
Punchy’s back, but in a new horrifying 3D cgi version:
http://www.studybreaks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/New-Punchy-260×300.jpg
OH YEAH! Come to think of it, I don’t recall even seeing Kool-Aid commercials these days. Then again, I think they have become so watered down, they simply consist of 2 moms talking about all the sugar in soda. Boooring.
The Kool Aid guy is still around. But apparently they decided he now needs pants.
Has there ever been a more appropriate name for a food marketing manager than “Yumi?”
I need to see Domino’s put the Noid back into commercials, I really miss him.
Mother Nature from Chiffon Margerine – http://youtu.be/s_75RXbmO6k
Or Euell Gibbons for Grape Nuts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XJMIu18I8Y
Gibbons is a good one, but I fondly remember The Grapist
Cookie Jarvis – The original wizard from Cookie Crisp Cereal, and/or Cookie Crook and Officer Crumb – same cereal
GEICO Cavemen. All day. That is all.
I’d rather see the Noid than those Dominos employees in the ads. Still haven’t tried the new recipe, but strongly doubt it’s improved enough to be good.
I was a fan of Max Headroom as a kid.
Once upon a time there was an engineer, Choo Choo Charlie was his name, we hear.
He had an engine and he sure had fun – He used Good & Plenty candy to make his train run.
Charlie says…
I am uncomfortable with Big Vegetable advertising to children with animated characters. These kids are not ready to make decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives!
Orson Welles for Birds Eye frozen peas.
Avoid the Noid, Avoid the Noid!!
Reddy Kilowatt, and Woodsy Owl,
I don’t know if anyone outside of Florida would know Reddy Kilowatt.
Perhaps we could create some new ones like the Monty – the Monsanto Mutant.
The California Raisins.
+1
How about the nightmarish original Ronald McDonald:
http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4f9afdb669beddb33b00000c-590/the-original-ronald-mcdonald-played-by-willard-scott-is-just-terrifying-the-serial-killer-version-of-ronald-was-made-over-into-the-clown-we-all-know-after-just-three-commercials.jpg
Ug. BusinessInsider needs to beautify their URLs.
Someone beat me to Quisp & Quake.
How about “Cookie Man” from Chips Ahoy?
As my avatar might suggest, I miss Bathroom Duck.
Those comercials used to be my faaaavorite!
“QUACK QUAAAACK!” *BOOM*
Steve Jobs.
Didn’t realize he was gone… last few Green Giant ads I saw included his trademark “ho ho ho…” jingle, at least. I guess if he’s more prominent now, then, that’s cool.
Spuds McKenzie…beer and dogs just go together.
Am I the only who noticed that the beer ad with the dog named “Wego” is a direct ripoff of Alex the Stroh’s dog?
Frighteningly enough, a local farmer has built a Jolly Green Giant (circa 1976 looking) in front of his house just outside our town. I don’t know if he sells to General Mills or he just likes it???
Why not bring back the Green Giant’s female counterpart, BF Goodrich’s Radial Tire girl? She could do a cameo in the Austin Powers reboot.
The new giant is gonna be big and pleasingly buffed up, and kind and smart and have
perfect teeth and will be great husband material for either sex!
I believe you have given a whole new meaning to the term “manscaping.”
I want a new Mr. Whipple and a new “Good to the last drop” Maxwell House lady and
a new Mrs. Olson whose kitchen smells like hot cinnamon and apples and Folger’s
coffee because it’s mountain grown…..
You do realize all of those actors are dead, right? So is the Dunkin’ Donuts guy, but then so is the concept — the donuts aren’t baked at the store anymore.
Billy Mays…too soon?
The Pillsbury Doughboy. Oh I take it back! No, no, no! Thank goodness I haven’t seen the creepy little beer belly for years, but maybe it’s come back from the dead for all I know. Here’s a punny/funny obituary:
http://www.homeschooloasis.com/storehs_obituary_of_pillsbury.htm
As I’m typing this, I’m watching Stephen Colbert showing the new logo for USA Today. It’s a blue circle. I bring this up because the first thing I thought of was the Pan Am logo.