14 funniest American commercials of the 70s

Because laughs in advertising seem to be in short supply right now, here are some great funny ads from the USA in the 70s (or thereabouts). It was supposed to be a Top 10 but a few extras snuck in at the end...

1. Volkswagen 'Funeral' - DDB, 1969 (almost the 70s)
2. Alka-Seltzer 'Poached Oysters' - DDB, 1970
3. Wendy's 'Where's the Beef?' - Dancer Fitzgerald Sample
4. Continental Insurance 'Lucky Guy' - Sorry Don't Know
5. Independent Life 'Out of the Picture' - Sorry Don't KNow
6. Pepsi 'Archaeology' - BBDO (dates to 1985 but hey, who's counting?
7. Alka-Seltzer 'Spicy Meatballs' - could be Wells Rich Greene, 1969 (which is almost the 70s)
8. American Motors' Rebel 'Driving Instructor' - Wells Rich Greene, 1969
9. Southern Airlines 'Second Class' - McDonald & Little, 1978
10. Volkswagen 'The Kremplers' - DDB
11. Wendy's 'Drive Through' - Dancer Fitzgerald Sample
12. Fed-Ex 'Count on It' - Ally & Gargano
13. Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 'Barrier' - DDB, 1962
14. Xerox 'Monk' - Needham Harper Steers, 1977

[dianajones]

My father owned a shoe store in Sunnyvale California. He sold Birkenstocks as well as children’s shoes . My father found out that brother Dominic from the Xerox commercial was making an appearance at one of the local computer stores. My father sent me to go see if brother Dominic would come to his store and make an appearance, and my dad offered him a free pair of Birkenstocks. Needless to say I was able to drive back to my father’s store with brother Dominic and as we entered My father’s store, I uttered those immortal words “it’s a miracle“! The whole store erupted in laughter!

[hensonlaura]

For about a year cries of "Where's the beef?!" rang from coast to coast. It was the national catch phrase.

[sharonshelton]

MEMORIES! Loved Clara and "where's the beef"! Who else was waiting for Speedy to appear singing the "plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is" Alka Seltzer jingle!🤣🤣😂

[christineshotton]

I am old enough to remember most of these commercials airing on television while watching Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, and Happy Days.

[hamsterdiving]

Back when commercials were 30-second little movies...

No AI, no CGI, just humans doing funny, silly, outlandish stuff. It's why I colllected books on advertising from back then...

These were awesome, thanks for the look back! 👍👍

[kmo]

Did Mr. Whipple squeeze the Charmin when his piano went through the wall? Thank God he had Continental Insurance.

[DianaLR]

Alka-Seltzer had great commercials in the seventies. 😂

[danahan]

Man, did I just get a blast from the past. But I'm so glad I grew up in the 70's. I did so much stupid stuff and there is no record of it anywhere!!

[maargenbx]

10:06 I still have a tee shirt from high school that says “TARDIS Express: when it absolutely, positively has to be there before you sent it”, but now nobody gets it 😢

[joyanders]

I love this walk down memory lane. This was when companies had a sense of humor. 😂

[nancyrea]

I laughed out loud at most of these. 1000% better than in 2024.

[leslieschott]

In great surprise, they look at each other and proclaim “He LIKES it!”

[dalecs]

I remember most of these when they were new. I guess that means that I am old.

[railmastergaming]

the only time in my life ive purposefully watched commercials and enjoyed them! where have they gone today.

[sabacat]

'Where's the beef?' and 'I've fallen and can't get up!' were everywhere when I was in junior high in the 80s!

[sharibigay]

Anyone else miss not only the humor but all the catchy jingles?

[kathlake]

To my recollection, humorous ads began with Volkswagen, then Alka Seltzer chimed it. I was waiting for them to show" I can't believe I ate the whole thing". 😂

[conniepritchardreinhardt]

Lol.. oh the good old days. 2024.. everyone is not just asking where's the beef.. they are asking what happened to real food!!

[JosephGreen-usfr]

This is back when commercials were funny and entertaining, held your attention, and weren't repeated 1200 times a day. Today's commercials often make me think that there's a room full of 6th graders somewhere thinking them up.

[wyominghome]

Loved it! My husband and I can still sing the Oscar Mayer baloney song. That kid made a fortune!