Punchy, always with a glass of Hawaiian Punch in hand, offers it to a simple fellow named Oaf. If you've seen these ads, you know the rest.
What you don't know is that Punchy's voice was originally performed by actor Ross Martin (ex-Mr. Lucky), three years before Wild, Wild West made him a cultural icon. Punchy & Oaf have been phased out over the years, but I'll bet there are some less than charitable souls who'd have wished Punchy took a swing as singer Donny Osmond, who, along with his sister, Marie, were brought in to pitch Hawaiian Punch in the 70's. Nothing against Donny & Marie, but don't you think there are subversive types out there with that kind of wish?
6 comments:
Punchy continued to be used as the mascot for the drink for many decades. I remember ads like this personally.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue0kQ1YFERU
He continues to be seen on the cans, though his appearance has been given a bit of a makeover.
http://www.hawaiianpunch.com/
I think they phased him off TV, what, 10, 15 years ago, Chris? You just don't see the ads anymore.
I haven't seen an ad for Hawaiian Punch on TV at all, yet they still sell the drink anyway (though it doesn't get sold everywhere I find). Despite having zero TV exposure, they still consider Punch an icon of the brand.
It is readily available, but not as heavily promoted as it was back in the day. Probably because it still has a certain amount of sugar content which would set off the health police.
He was in Foodfight.
Hmm, have to watch for that.
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