Here's the Beef

February 9, 2009 2:14 PM

Joe Sedelmaier showed us where the beef is, and in doing so, revolutionized television advertising (aside from spawning a Clara Peller 7" and influencing the 1984 US elections). Here are some of Sedelmaier's greatest moments: Wendy's: Soviet Fashion Show | "Parts is Parts" • FedEx: "You can't count on anything these days!" | The Classic Speed Talker (John Moschitta, previously) • Pearson's Salted Nut Roll (with Godwin effect) • Fibreglas Pink (Canada) • Kaypro Computers • Alaska Airlines • Clara Peller in Jartran Truck Rental • Hayworth Furniture Systems • GMAC Financing • And for those missing individually, Youtuber jerry7242 has posted a reel of 30 minutes' worth of Joe Sedelmaier's commercials in four parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (#4 includes an interview with Joe Sedelmaier) Enjoy!

(Joe is also J.J. Sedelmaier's dad.)

posted by not_on_display (8 comments total)

Is next.....swimwear!
posted by horsemuth at 2:18 PM on February 9, 2009 [1 favorite]

Seeing the name Clara Peller so close to 7" made me cringe.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 3:12 PM on February 9, 2009

A lot of these commercials made their way into "Commercial Crazies", a VHS-based game I had as a kid.
posted by jozxyqk at 3:35 PM on February 9, 2009

I like how in the interview he can't stop interrupting the interviewer. I work at an agency, and we're all like that.
posted by dammitjim at 3:47 PM on February 9, 2009

Nutroll! From the same company who brought you Bun Bars and the Chicken Dinner Bar. Hey isn't this Astro Zombie's blog? I want a Seven Up Bar terribly now. [no NOT a freaking Skybar, no no no no!]
posted by jessamyn at 4:32 PM on February 9, 2009

Mods?

I want to file a complaint that this post and several comments are insensitive to those of us with diverticulitis.

Banhammer please.
posted by Samizdata at 5:09 PM on February 9, 2009

Awesome post. I remember those commercials as being a real topic of conversation back in the 80s. Everyone was looking for a reason to use the punchline "where's the beef?".
posted by zardoz at 8:45 PM on February 9, 2009

Pieces parts! Loved these commercials as a kid.
posted by DU at 6:05 AM on February 10, 2009