My next AON article, also posted here for no good reason.

[mister_punchy]

THE 1980’S ARE STILL VAGUELY AMUSING: 5 Notably Rawkin’ 80’s-Mercials

1. (Dancin’!) Barbie & the Rockers!There was a time in the mid-80’s that Barbie n’ company’s stranglehold on the disproportionately-leggy plastic doll market was in danger of being usurped by the far rawkin’er Jem and the Holograms. Jem’s blonde mane was moussier than Barbie’s,

Comments

[dignam]

You showed me the Say No video. You are horrible and I hate you and I won't forgive you, either.

MAH DUSTUH!

[mondomolly]

So, the Duster's target market was Bernadette Peters?

Re: MAH DUSTUH!

[mister_punchy]

But awesomer and more futuristic. And cokey.

Re: MAH DUSTUH!

[libertina]

Not to mention that one of its featured players was Finola Hughes, who played the haughty neon suspender leotard-wearing British temptress opposite a headbanded Travolta in Stayin' Alive.

Re: MAH DUSTUH!

[libertina]

P.S. I know all these ads intimately at this point (including the few I didn't personally remember, like the Johnny Cash abnomination) but your synopses made me nearly fall off my chair. "Lower intestine 'do"? Brilliant.

[tartpants]

I very very CLEARLY remember the Barbie and the Rockers and the PacMan cereal adverts... I just didn't realize it until now. It seemed like that new fangled MTV inspired commercials to be more like music videos for a while there.

[mister_punchy]

That's why I'd always have a good time displaying 80's-mercials at bars. People remember 'em vividly, they just haven't thought about 'em since they were 6 years old.

[perfectlylegal]

I still have my Barbie and the Rockers tape.

[dehumidifier]

The one with BOPPIN' AWAY on it?

[perfectlylegal]

That's the one!!!

[mister_punchy]

Do you ever blast it and dance with weird chopping motions like the dolls?

[oatmeal_texas]

I love Regina! Her haircut is smart and practical!