"Death of an Icon" ABC's take on Kurt Cobain's suicide

We recorded this on April 18, 1994. It's from an old ABC news show called "Day One" and it was reporting on Kurt Cobain's suicide which happened 10 days earlier. Cobain, of course, was the frontman of Nirvana who ended his life with a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. His body was found on April 8, 1994.

They named the segment "Death of an Icon" and they actually did a pretty decent job on covering Kurt Cobain's life, death, and the days that followed. They interviewed a bunch of fans, critics, writers, and musicians during those sad days. And they kind of summed up who that generation was and how they were coping. Damn, I miss those days....

Luckily, we recorded more videos during the hours and days of this tragic event which we'll be posting soon.......

RIP Kurt


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Video Title: (April 18, 1994) Kurt Cobain's suicide "Death of an Icon" (ABC news segment)
Event: Nirvana's singer Kurt Cobain's suicide
Original Air Date: April 18, 1994
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(April 8, 1994) MTV News early coverage of Kurt Cobain's suicide

We recorded this on April 8, 1994 just hours after the news broke that Nirvana's lead singer Kurt Cobain was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

This news report is pretty interesting since a lot of the details of his death were still unconfirmed. Also, this was before the contents of Kurt's suicide note was released publicly. (Two days later, a pre-recorded message from Courtney Love reading Kurt Cobain's final words were broadcast at the Seattle Center.)

Yeah, so this is very soon after his body was first discovered. People were still in shock. I know we were.

It was a very sad day indeed. We're so happy that we recorded more videos during the hours and days of this tragic event which we'll be posting soon.......

RIP Kurt


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Video Title: (April 8, 1994) MTV News early coverage of Kurt Cobain's suicide
Event: Nirvana's singer Kurt Cobain's suicide
Original Air Date: April 8, 1994
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What would YOU do with a hundred grand?

Here is a classic Nestle 100 Grand candy bar commercial from early 1996. This is the shorter version of the "Beauty Pageant" commercial which was popular in the mid-1990's.

Basically the host asks three beauty pageant contestants what they would do with a hundred grand? The first one says she would buy everyone a puppy. The second one would sprinkle flower seeds all over the world. The last one would eat it!

What would YOU do with a hundred grand???


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Video Title: (1996) Nestle "100 Grand" candy bar (Beauty Pageant) - 90's TV commercial
Product: Nestle's 100 Grand candy bar
Original Air Date: 1996
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Burger King + Mini Cheeseburgers ÷ by 1987 = "Burger Bundles"

Here is a Burger King commercial from 1987 promoting Burger King's new mini cheeseburgers which they called "Burger Bundles". You could get 3 of them for $0.99 back then! And it looks like they included a pickle slice!

Was Burger King trying to cramp White Castle's style by having mini-burgers too?
We think so. Was it successful? Probably not. Do you guys remember the
"Burger Bundles"??? We don't. But they do look pretty tasty!!


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Video Title: (1987) Burger King "Burger Bundles" mini cheeseburgers - 80's TV commercial
Product: Burger King's "Burger Bundles" mini cheeseburgers
Original Air Date: 1987
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March 15, 1991: 4 Los Angeles police officers charged with beating Rodney King

20 years ago today, on this day, March 15, 1991, four Los Angeles police officers were indicted on charges of assualt and filing false police reports. The victim was Rodney King. A bystander, George Holliday, videotaped much of the incident from a distance. Here is the video of the assault:

The trial went on until April 29, 1992, where a jury of 10 whites and 2 hispanics found the officers NOT GUILTY on all counts, even with the evidence of the videotape. Craziness then ensued...

Here is an example:

More 1992 LA Riot videos coming soon!

MORGUE MONDAY: Ralph James (aka Mr. Turtle)

Right now, we know you're asking yourself, "Who is Ralph James"? We asked the same question. Ralph James was a voiceover artist who voiced Mr. Turtle from the classic Tootsie Pop commercials, which ran from 1978 to 1982. Ralph James died at the age of 67 on March 14, 1992. That was 19 years ago today! He had a small part but he will be remembered forever!

We have fond memories of this commercial. We always liked how Mr. Turtle was a grumpy old man and didn't want to deal with the weird naked kid's questions. "GO ASK MR. OWL, YOU YOUNG WHIPPER SNAPPER SON OF A BITCH YOU!!!!"

RIP Ralph James

QUESTION: What happend to the hair of the 90's?

Before (1991):

After (2011):

20 years later and only Eddie kept his luscious locks!?!?!?!

FREE PONG FOR ALL!

Pong | Flash games with Games68.com

We know that you're staring at your computer screen for hours on end, waiting for our next post. While you're waiting, play some Pong! Good luck!!!

The "Super Storm" of March 13, 1993

Today, on this day back on March 13, 1993 there was a HUUUUUUGE blizzard that hit the Northeast United States. Where were you? All I know is that we were buried under a shitload of snow and we couldn't do SHIT!

This storm caused lots of damage. Some people are still buried to this day! Back then, it was unusual when a blizzard hit almost every weekend like how they hit us now. I guess things are a bit simpler now that we know what's in store for us....

This Washington Post article sums up the storm very well: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalweathergang/2008/03/the_superstorm_of_march_13_199_1.html

Popsicle: A frozen drink on a stick!

Who doesn't have great memories of eating a Popsicle stick on a hot summer day as a kid? The best part was that there were TWO Popsicle sticks rather than one, which made it double the fun!

It just so happens that on this day today, March 11, 1986, the Popsicle went from a two-stick pop to a one-stick pop. We couldn't find many facts to corroborate this but we thought we'd blog about it anyway so we had an excuse to post a hot chick sucking a Popsicle!

Were you the "little-licker" that precisely licked back-n-forth between each pop until it split up the middle and then you double-fisted each pop??!!? Or were you the "deep-throater" and you sucked the whole thing dry till it was gone??!?!?!

It's NERF Liquidator Football or nothin'

Here is a NERF Liquidator Football commercial from 1995. This football has a really cool design which creates a perfect spiral and allows you to throw the ball far as ever! There's a "hydro ring" filled with liquid that's around the football that helps you complete that perfect Hail Mary pass in the end zone for the win!

Do you know what NERF stands for? Well, it stands for "Non-Expanding Recreational Foam". We personally don't remember the NERF Liquidator Football but certainly remember the classic fluorescent colored NERF spiral footballs which everyone in the neighborhood had back in the early 90's.

Do you guys remember the NERF Liquidator Football? We googled it and it's nowhere to be found anywhere online. Looks radical though!


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Video Title: (1995) NERF Liquidator Football - 90's TV commercial
Product: NERF Liquidator Football (Tonka)
Original Air Date: 1995
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NEWS FLASH: Ex-Alice in Chains bassist, Mike Starr, dies in Salt Lake City

We hate being the bearer of bad news but another 90's rocker has died. Mike Starr, the original bassist of Alice in Chains, was found dead yesterday, March 8, 2011, in his home in Salt Lake City. Starr was 44 years old.

Police were unable to determine a cause of death but it does not appear to have involved foul play. Mike Starr helped form Alice in Chains in 1987 and, according to Starr in VH1's "Celebrity Rehab", he was kicked out of the band in 1993 due to his heroin addiction. Starr was arrested and booked just barely a month ago on February 18, 2011 for possession of a controlled substance (he allegedly had six Xanax and six Opana tablets on him at the time).

The band left the following statement: “Members of Alice in Chains are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy – and the privacy of the Starr family – during this difficult time. Their thoughts & prayers are with the Starr family.”

We will bring you any updates as soon as we hear them.

RIP MIKE STARR

Dr. Drew Pinkski's Twitter: http://twitter.com/drdrew/status/45266839395250176

"Celebrity Rehab" (Season 3) patient intake clip: http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/469229/mike-is-a-polite-drug-addict.jhtml#id=1629219

Alice In Chains - We Die Young (1990):

MORGUE MONDAY: Stanley Kubrick

This is the beginning of a column called "Morgue Monday". On random Monday we will feature someone who died in the 80's or 90's.  We are sad to see them go but it is our duty to poke them with a long stick to see just how radical and dead they really are. From Kurt Cobain to Jon-Erik Hexum to Ray Combs to Jeremy from the song that Pearl Jam wrote called "Jeremy"! We will find them!!!!

It just so happens that filmmaker Stanley Kubrick died today, March 7, 1999 at the age of 70. That was 12 years ago today!! Where were you???

From Wikipedia:

"Stanley Kubrick (July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999) was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career. Kubrick was noted for the scrupulous care with which he chose his subjects, his slow method of working, the variety of genres he worked in, his technical perfectionism, and his reclusiveness about his films and personal life. He maintained almost complete artistic control, making movies according to his own whims and time constraints, but with the rare advantage of big-studio financial support for all his endeavors."

"Kubrick's films are characterized by a formal visual style and meticulous attention to detail—his later films often have elements of surrealism and expressionism that eschews structured linear narrative. His films are repeatedly described as slow and methodical, and are often perceived as a reflection of his obsessive and perfectionist nature. A recurring theme in his films is man's inhumanity to man. While often viewed as expressing an ironic pessimism, a few critics feel his films contain a cautious optimism when viewed more carefully."

His films include Paths of Glory, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, and Eyes Wide Shut, among others.

RIP STANLEY KUBRICK

Classic Mentos commercial with burly men in overalls

Here is a classic Mentos candy commercial from 1996. This is the commercial where the lady has her tiny, red car crammed into a parking spot since an inconsiderate bastard was in a rush to go upstairs to his office. Luckily, four burly men all wearing overalls came to the rescue! In the end, everything worked out. Was it because of the Mentos? Yes. Yes it was.

Also, the Foo Fighters made a parody of this commercial (and other Mentos commercials) in their "Big Me" music video which is pretty funny!

I would have loved to see one of the Foo Fighters only wearing one overall strap on his shoulder. Just like the one guy in the original Mentos commercial. It would've been a nice little touch and a good eye to detail. Right?? But it's cool anyways.


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Video Title: (1996) Mentos "Car Movers" (Foo Fighters parody) - 90's TV commercial
Product: Mentos mint candies
Original Air Date: 1996
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'Whiskas' Lovebird says your old cat food belongs in the dumpster!

Here is an old Whiskas cat food commercial from 1992. It features a talking Lovebird with a French accent. He basically tells cat owners to throw away their old cat food and feed them new recipe Whiskas instead. He believes that this will stop "uncivilized felines" from attacking "small, colorful birds" like himself.

Also, the commercial states that "Cats would buy Whiskas". I'm pretty sure that my cat wouldn't buy Whiskas. If she had the choice, she'd continue chasing, terrorizing and eating birds and other small animals in my yard. But that's just my cat.

Would your cat choose Whiskas over hunting and eating animals in your yard??


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Video Title: (1992) Whiskas cat food "Lovebird" - 90's TV commercial
Product: Whiskas cat food (Mars, Incorporated)
Original Air Date: 1992
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MIDNIGHT MAYHEM: Run, Forrest! Run!!

You can do anything, Forrest