Tuesday, January 20, 2009

The Big Fig Newton - You Remember That Commercial From The 70's!


OK. Four posts in one day - what are you gonna do? So I'm on the blog of Cooking Blind today and she's mentioning figs. And when I hear the word fig, I think of the commercial for Fig Newtons. You know:

"Hit it Hal - Gooey gooey rich and chewy inside....." (I never thought he sounded like Charles Nelson Reilly but you be the judge).

I give you, the Big Fig Newton commercial. To view it, click the word fig. I haven't heard this in years.

23 comments:

The Imaginary Reviewer said...

I remember nothing from the 1970s, having been conceived 7 months before they finished.

Incidentally, that does mean it's my birthday at the end of the month. Just so you know.

diane said...

Dr. Z,
Thanks for the shout out. I love the commercial; that actor looks eerily familiar, but not in a Charles Nelson Reilly kind of a way.

Dr Zibbs said...

Diane - I agree. He looks familiar and I'm sure he was on some sitcoms. I'll have to look on Wikipedia tomorrow.

Queen Goob said...

I sing that song to my man, his middle name is Newton.

I know but I just can't help myself. Besides I love to eat.....

Cowguy said...

I remember the commercial, it was freaky then, it's freaky now. Was the guy on Barney Miller?

Vic said...

I vividly remember those ads, and sadly, can sing them all the way through from memory.

Fun fact: my orthodontist looked just liked Charles Nelson Reilly. Even had the glasses!

Scope said...

I remember this ad, too.

Was there a second verse (or different champain?) that went something like:

You can't do the Newton if a Newton is not.

But if it's by Nabisco, a Fig Newton's what you got.

So do the BIG FIG NEWTON!

J.J. in L.A. said...

I remember that commercial too - unfortunately. lol!

Greta said...

Zibbs...you know more commercials than any other man I know. It's mighty impressive.

Erin Alberty said...

I like the Fig Newton commercial where they split the Newton in half and then stick the halves back together again. Does anyone else remember that? I always do that to my Newtons, even now.

BeckEye said...

Every time I think of Fig Newtons, I think of:

1. My brother, J-Fred, who loves them.
2. Brian Regan and this comedy bit. I eat Fig Newtons by the sleeve!!

slopmaster said...

I don't remember it either, but I freaking love Figs.. unfortunately they don't sell them in Africa. I miss those things. Not a big fan of the strawberry ones though.

Belle said...

I have a fig tree in my garden.
I will never be able to eat one again without thinking about that commercial.
Thanks Doctor!
A lot.

Anonymous said...

Love Fig Newtons and milk. I agree with slopmaster nothing like the original forget the Strawberry.

buffalodick said...

What I remember is eating them, liking them, and not knowing what a fig was...

Dr Zibbs said...

Cowguy - you may be right that he was on Barney Miller.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhh...good times....

Michelle said...

So, i just finished a box of fig newtons!!! SO GOOD!!! They were on sale so i thought i'd give it a go!!! They are just the right size to grab 2 or 3 and be on your way!!!!

No tricky part really!!!

Love
Stalker

Pearl said...

Wrap the inside
in the outside
Is it good?
Darn tootin'!

Doin' the big Fig Newton (here's the tricky part) the Big Fig Newtoooooooooon!

XOXO,
Pearl

dguzman said...

That commercial--pure genius. "Here's the tricky part!" Wow. Thanks for reminding me of this gem.

Anonymous said...

Wow I can't believe there's so much talk about this cookie. I was the little girl in the Fig Newton commercial held in a school gym. I danced with the big fig "Hey kids, that's not the Newton. Hit it Hal...." (there were many out takes of us dancing and me bouncing off his costume when I went left and he turned right, i couln't stop laughing.)

Anonymous said...

He just recently passed away: James Harder was the actor that played the Fig Newton and the Butterball Pilgrim as well as many roles on Broadway and TV.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02EFDC163AF93AA25752C0A96F9C8B63

Anonymous said...

When I was a kid I entertained the family with my rendition of this commercial. Sadly as I grew older all I could remember was hit it Hal. I always loved it because my initials spell HAL. I am so happy to be able to hear it again. At the next family get together I can again have the spotlight.