"Very Little Butter."
December 11, 2009 1:46 PM Subscribe
Does anyone remember a TV commercial from the 80s that featured some nitpicky guy asking for an omelet with specific cooking instructions?
This has been on the edge of my memory for years. The commercial had some guy ordering an omelet or something from a waitress and saying very specifically: "Cooked with very little butter."
It was the way the guy said that that sticks out in my mind. It was said so nitpicky, like "Ve-ry Lit-tle But-ter" and an accompanying hand gesture that emphasized every syllable. I'm reminded of it whenever I see anyone make a specific cooking request in restaurants.
I can't remember the product advertised or anything else about it, but it was on TV in the Northeast US sometime in the early 80s. It's been driving my wife and I a little crazy for a few years.
This has been on the edge of my memory for years. The commercial had some guy ordering an omelet or something from a waitress and saying very specifically: "Cooked with very little butter."
It was the way the guy said that that sticks out in my mind. It was said so nitpicky, like "Ve-ry Lit-tle But-ter" and an accompanying hand gesture that emphasized every syllable. I'm reminded of it whenever I see anyone make a specific cooking request in restaurants.
I can't remember the product advertised or anything else about it, but it was on TV in the Northeast US sometime in the early 80s. It's been driving my wife and I a little crazy for a few years.
That scene, for comparison:
A waitress approaches.
WAITRESS
Hi. Welcome to B.I. McCafferty's. My name is Melanie and I'll be your server this morning. Let me tell you about some of our specials. Today we have the "Alfalfa on My Mind," our feature omelette. And there's our "Gatsby's West Egg Omelette." And if you're in the mood for something different there's the "I left my heart in San Franchezie."
Martin and Grocer's eyes remain locked.
GROCER
I want two eggs poached, hash brown well-done. English muffin for the bread. And a coffee.
MARTIN
Whole-grain pancakes. And an egg-white omelette.
WAITRESS
What would you like in the omelette?
MARTIN
Nothing in the omelette. Nothing at all.
The waitress nods pertly and leaves.
posted by dhartung at 2:37 PM on December 11, 2009
A waitress approaches.
WAITRESS
Hi. Welcome to B.I. McCafferty's. My name is Melanie and I'll be your server this morning. Let me tell you about some of our specials. Today we have the "Alfalfa on My Mind," our feature omelette. And there's our "Gatsby's West Egg Omelette." And if you're in the mood for something different there's the "I left my heart in San Franchezie."
Martin and Grocer's eyes remain locked.
GROCER
I want two eggs poached, hash brown well-done. English muffin for the bread. And a coffee.
MARTIN
Whole-grain pancakes. And an egg-white omelette.
WAITRESS
What would you like in the omelette?
MARTIN
Nothing in the omelette. Nothing at all.
The waitress nods pertly and leaves.
posted by dhartung at 2:37 PM on December 11, 2009
Response by poster: I found this youtube with the audio of the scene you guys mentioned, but that's not it. Thanks for trying, though.
The actor that said it was very uptight, much like Charles Grodin. Definitely the hand gesture, along with the 1-2-3 of the phrase "ve-ry lit-tle but-ter." And I don't think it was a movie, because I remember seeing it several times.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 2:58 PM on December 11, 2009
The actor that said it was very uptight, much like Charles Grodin. Definitely the hand gesture, along with the 1-2-3 of the phrase "ve-ry lit-tle but-ter." And I don't think it was a movie, because I remember seeing it several times.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 2:58 PM on December 11, 2009
Best answer: Could it have been the opening scene in Modern Romance with Albert Brooks?
posted by bgrebs at 3:13 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by bgrebs at 3:13 PM on December 11, 2009
That sounds vaguely familiar. Could it have been a Denny's commercial? 1980s commercials were very gimmicky with their catch phrases ('Time to make the donuts,' 'Where's the beef?,' etc.). I can't find anything on YouTube, though. There are a lot of 10 minute videos of '80s commercial breaks.'
posted by Mael Oui at 9:05 PM on December 11, 2009
posted by Mael Oui at 9:05 PM on December 11, 2009
Response by poster: It might be Albert Brooks. I'll have to rent the movie and find out. Thanks!
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:49 AM on January 12, 2010
posted by kuujjuarapik at 8:49 AM on January 12, 2010
Response by poster: It was the opening scene from Modern Romance, and not half as interesting as I had misremembered. Thanks again, bgrebs.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 4:37 PM on October 8, 2010
posted by kuujjuarapik at 4:37 PM on October 8, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by willnot at 1:48 PM on December 11, 2009