Sunsphere Ad, 1982 World's Fair, Knoxville Tennessee

Promotional, informational and event videos shot & edited by East Tennessee PBS (WSJK/WETP) in Knoxville, Tennessee for the 1982 World's Fair.

[logiman]

I was a waiter at the Sunsphere during the fair while in school at UT. I was there when they shot this commercial. I had forgotten all about it until I just saw this and I've never seen it before. It was filmed before we opened for lunch shift.

All four people at the table were dining room employees. I recognize the faces but the names have been wiped from memory over time. As someone pointed out, the customer on the far left is wearing the same dress as the waitress, LOL, as that was indeed the female uniform for servers. The male server uniform had reddish polyester pants that matched the carpet. It also included a white button down shirt and a tan vest. Although the restaurant was run by Hardee's, the food was actually decent. However, the management was less than stellar. They did everything they could to cut costs ruthlessly.

I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience even though management was not exactly employee friendly. There were some wonderful people that worked there. The money was fantastic for 1982. If I made less than $100 per shift, I was very disappointed. That's $327 in today's dollars.

Where has the time gone? Hold did I get to be old?

[craigroaring]

But there's another world's fair coming soon, right? Before Friday?

[mariic]

I thought it's called "The Wig Sphere" now.

[williamjameslehy]

This man has such electrifying charisma.

[tod]

Now, are you gentlemen gonna buy some wigs or ain't ya?

[princessmarlena]

“I hate this place!” **throws rock** 🪨

[RomanesEuntDomus.]

Looks like the host was being held at gun point!! 😂

[stardust]

Disco Ball in the sky! I'm going to see it in person next weekend---but no more restaurant, I don't think.

[pierrecaron]

Funny how no one is looking at the view.

[blackcommunion]

I thought this was made up from the simpsons lol

[vcrcooking]

Who knew Hardee's ran the upscale Sunsphere Restaurant. RIP Arthur Haggis III 1947-2005

[Mgunner]

There was a brief stint as an onion dealership.

[JoeysAmazingThings]

Haha look how young @DanAkroyd was then. 😋😉

[vcrcooking]

The waitress and the woman eating the fruit plate have on the exact same outfit so that means either they have similar tastes or this whole thing is a setup for promotional purposes only and the wait staff is posing as fair going fine diners for the camera. That's it. No wonder they look so bored with the whole situation. LOL

[ChrisCooling]

wow...the lowest energy voiceover ever