The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum » The End Is Near! An Ominous Sign On TV Friday Night

RadioActive · July 26, 2024 7:06 pm

I knew it was coming with August around the proverbial corner. But that didn't make it any easier.

On Friday night, I saw my first actual back-to-school ad on a local station, City TV, as sure a sign of the end of summer as the CNE and the leaves turning yellow. It was for Wal-Mart and it was about getting the usual supplies, like clothes and pencil boxes. (Do they still use pencils in this computer age?)

Anyway, there was nothing really surprising about it, I suppose, except as someone who lives for the summer and absolutely despies everything about winter, it was a depressing sign of things to come.

Can anyone prove to me that time doesn't speed up in the summer? How can it almost be August already?

I call it my "Abraham, Martin & John" summer - I just looked around and it was gone.

Shorty Wave · July 27, 2024 5:53 am

Time seems to speed up the older we become is one theory RA!

mace · July 27, 2024 10:34 am

I heard my first American back to school ad [Target] just after July 4th.

paterson1 · July 27, 2024 10:43 am

Christmas tunes on radio will be right around the corner! HBO/Crave ran a Christmas movie earlier this week. Hallmark will have another big crop of new Christmas films this year and will be here before you know it.

Capricasix · July 27, 2024 11:20 am

mace wrote:
I heard my first American back to school ad [Target] just after July 4th.

Well, some districts in the US end their school years in early June, so this isn’t surprising.

I was in a Walmart in Mississauga on Thursday and they had a big back-to-school display. School only let out four weeks ago but they can’t just let kids enjoy their summer.

newsguy1 · July 27, 2024 11:26 am

Spence Diamonds will soon be marketing its "show them you love them" back to school coloured diamond bracelets.
Only $5,999.00.

RadioActive · July 27, 2024 10:15 pm

Shorty Wave wrote:
Time seems to speed up the older we become is one theory RA!

Then why does February seem to go on and on and on?

My sister, who lives in Staten Island, N.Y., told me she went into her local Dollar General store last week and saw Halloween stuff on display. Now THAT'S jumping the gun.

RadioActive · July 30, 2024 10:27 am

I heard Alex Pierson confirm on Tuesday that CNE ads begin running next Monday. Anyone who grew up in the GTA knows exactly what that means - summer is coming to an end.

(Are they still going to use that "Let's Go To The Ex" song, that harkens back to "At The Hop" by Danny and The Juniors from 1957 - a tune current generations almost certainly have no idea exists?)

Binson Echorec · July 30, 2024 11:42 am

Much like Marineland, I believe they are still using that jingle. I'm amazed how they both still sound so fresh. /sarcasm.

The current generation doesn't care one whit about Danny & The Juniors.

Are the back-to-school spots still using "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"? There's another overused obsolete reference.

Last edited by Binson Echorec (July 30, 2024 11:42 am)

newsguy1 · July 30, 2024 11:44 am

Yeah, they should change it to a version of "shake it off" by Taylor Swift, shake it off as in summer.
On the brighter side, at least we no longer have to put up with that "Everyone looooooves Marineland!" Now that the abusive torture pit for whales and dolphins is almost shut down.

Forward Power · July 30, 2024 11:55 am

newsguy1 wrote:
On the brighter side, at least we no longer have to put up with that "Everyone looooooves Marineland!"

Hear hear!

Lorne · July 30, 2024 12:30 pm

I've already heard CNE ads, and they are still using "Let's go to the Ex". And even though I run an oldies board and often enjoy hearing old songs being used in commercials, as someone who used to work in marketing I think the Ex has used that one for far, far too long.

Radiowiz · July 30, 2024 1:09 pm

Lorne wrote:
I've already heard CNE ads, and they are still using "Let's go to the Ex". And even though I run an oldies board and often enjoy hearing old songs being used in commercials, as someone who used to work in marketing I think the Ex has used that one for far, far too long.

I only go to the CNE because I heard a song that sounds like let's go to the hop.
If I don't hear that song in an ad this year I'm not going.

Peter the K · July 30, 2024 7:38 pm

May I'm just old but I've always been a fan of the original spot in 1982 with the stuffed bunnies and singing cows. It's just cute. And it's hard to argue that it's well done.

Last edited by Peter the K (July 30, 2024 7:39 pm)

Capricasix · July 30, 2024 9:00 pm

Hard to believe that’s 42 years old!

Lorne · July 31, 2024 10:39 am

Peter the K wrote:
May I'm just old but I've always been a fan of the original spot in 1982 with the stuffed bunnies and singing cows. It's just cute. And it's hard to argue that it's well done.

I did like it originally, and that was great to see again. But I think that using inferior versions of it for so long has not been a good idea, particularly for an institution that has made so many other changes over the years to try to stay relevant.

mace · July 31, 2024 2:57 pm

Does anyone remember the Fantasy Island "FUN WWWOOOOOOWWWW" Kid? He was so annoying.