True love: better than coffee.

October 16, 2007 2:32 PM

1980s series of commercials told a love story. No, not Taster's Choice. Help!

There was a series of commercials in the 80s that I'm trying to remember. It was a love story that followed the lives of the characters over the years. I think it was either for a phone company or food. It was a classic campaign that everyone talked about and even admitted to tearing up... No, it wasn't Taster's Choice. (I remember that much.)

posted by tzikeh to media & arts (20 comments total)

Not quite what you're looking for, but Mariette Hartley and James Garner for Polaroid?

Or: Those weird Country Crock ads where you only see their hands?
posted by GaelFC at 2:42 PM on October 16, 2007

Country Crock? Male and female voice over images of their hands. The campaign is still going on and they recently had kids (or I saw a very old commercial last month).
posted by wg at 2:43 PM on October 16, 2007

The Nescafé ad with Anthony Head and Sharon Maugham? Or was that only shown in the UK?
posted by ceri richard at 2:47 PM on October 16, 2007

Ceri - the NEscafe one was called Taster's Choice here.
posted by tzikeh at 2:49 PM on October 16, 2007

Oh! Nescafé Gold Blend is sold as Taster's Choice in the States? Oops, sorry about that.
posted by ceri richard at 2:49 PM on October 16, 2007

Thank you tzikeh, our posts crossed - great minds, etc. :-)
posted by ceri richard at 2:50 PM on October 16, 2007

no country crock, no polaroid (but thanks for bringing those memories back!).

Still nothing....
posted by tzikeh at 2:58 PM on October 16, 2007

Did you like in New England? The old New England Telephone (now Verizon, by way of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX) had a series of commercials involving an estranged father and daughter who eventually re-connected (via a series of telephone calls, coincidentally enough). I remember a different character in the series sang the NET jingle ("We're the one for you New England, New England Telephone") at the end of each ad.

Anyone know of any online documentation of these ads?
posted by Rock Steady at 4:06 PM on October 16, 2007

Or live in New England?
posted by Rock Steady at 4:09 PM on October 16, 2007

I remember this, and so does my husband. You're not crazy! I think it was 90s, not 80s, and I'm pretty sure it was for coffee. Folgers? General Foods International Coffee? I will keep looking and post if I find it.
posted by Addlepated at 4:39 PM on October 16, 2007

This site mentions "This explains the success of campaigns such as Folgers’ series of ads that told a romantic story spanning several ads." That sounds like it's the right track... will keep looking.
posted by Addlepated at 4:42 PM on October 16, 2007

Diana Canova (the nympho on Soap) was in a series of romantic commercials (I think for jewelry) prior to her Big Break. But that would be 70s.
posted by luser at 4:48 PM on October 16, 2007

Guh, I think I'm thinking of those Taster's Choice commercials - there was an awful lot of buzz about them at the time.
posted by Addlepated at 4:59 PM on October 16, 2007

I remember this as the first time I saw Anthony Head (Giles from Buffy). Or at least, when Buffy started, I recognized him as the guy from the Taster's Choice ads. At least, if it's the same thing you're talking about: here's a link
posted by sinderile at 5:10 PM on October 16, 2007 [1 favorite]

At least, if it's the same thing you're talking about: here's a link

OOH! I remember that! I think it was '90's also. I remember a revolving door and/or an elevator?
posted by wafaa at 5:21 PM on October 16, 2007

I thought of the Anthony Head commercials immediately too.
posted by miss lynnster at 5:46 PM on October 16, 2007

Also n'thing the McCann-Erickson ad campaign for Taster's Choice | Gold Blend Coffee Campaign.
posted by ericb at 7:40 PM on October 16, 2007

Taster's Choice (thirteen episodes) ran from 1990 to 1997

The Official Anthony Head Site: Gold Blend/Taster's Choice coffee commercials.
posted by ericb at 7:45 PM on October 16, 2007

No, it wasn't Taster's Choice. (I remember that much.)

But, the OP says it wasn't that. back to the drawing board.
posted by ericb at 7:46 PM on October 16, 2007

At this point, I kind of wonder if you're conflating two or more different ad series. I'd think SOMEONE would have come up with it by now if it was such a classic campaign.

Can you remember anything more about it? Are you SURE it wasn't any of the big three mentioned?
posted by GaelFC at 9:47 AM on October 17, 2007