Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

Episode: SNL & Commercial Parodies (Encore)

Release Date: February 20, 2025
Host: Terry O’Reilly
Podcast Network: Apostrophe Podcast Network

Introduction to the Episode

[00:01] Terry O'Reilly:
Terry introduces himself and briefly mentions his passion for the Beatles and his new podcast series, Beatleology Interviews, which delves into conversations with individuals connected to the Beatles. This sets a personal tone before transitioning into the main topic of the episode.

The Genesis of Airplane! as a Parody

[02:35] Terry O'Reilly:
Terry begins by exploring the film Airplane!, highlighting its unexpected success as the fourth highest-grossing movie of 1980. He explains that while it spoofed 1970s disaster films like The Poseidon Adventure and Towering Inferno, its true inspiration was the 1957 film Zero Hour.

[03:02] Narrator:
Describes the plot of Zero Hour, emphasizing the dire situation of a pilotless plane and the protagonist's challenge to land it.

[03:32] Terry O'Reilly:
Details how Zero Hour was written by Arthur Haley and how the Airplane! writers—Jerry Zukor, David Zukor, and Jim Abrahams—were inspired by its overly dramatic script. They used it as a template to create a parody, even securing remake rights to avoid copyright issues.

Notable Quote:
Terry O'Reilly [06:10]:
"She never complains. Yep, I love my wife. Too bad she doesn't look as good as my girlfriend here."
(Parody of a Geritol commercial showcased in MAD magazine)

Casting Against Type: Leslie Nielsen's Iconic Role

[04:55] Narrator:
Illustrates a scene from Zero Hour and its counterpart in Airplane!, where a young boy interacts with the pilot.

[06:19] Narrator:
Quotes one of Airplane!'s most famous lines:
*"Can you fly this plane and land it? Surely you can't be serious."
"I am serious. And don't call me Shirley."

[06:24] Terry O'Reilly:
Discusses Leslie Nielsen’s casting as the steward who delivers these iconic lines, despite his extensive background in dramatic roles. Nielsen himself remarked,
"I had been cast against type my whole career until Airplane."
(Timestamp not provided)

The Evolution of Parody in Advertising

[07:37] Terry O'Reilly:
Shifts focus to the broader history of parody in advertising, tracing back to the post-World War II advertising boom on Madison Avenue.

[07:54] Terry O'Reilly:
Highlights MAD Magazine's role in pioneering ad parodies, beginning with their first spoof in 1954 targeting Rheingold beer with the fictional "Pot Gold Beer."

[13:44] Narrator:
Provides an example of MAD’s parody:
"I think I'll keep her."
(Spoofing a Geritol commercial, replacing sincere sentiments with humorous twists)

Notable Quote:
Terry O'Reilly [23:13]:
"Our business is making change hilarious."
(Referring to MAD Magazine's intricate parodies of advertising)

National Lampoon vs. MAD Magazine

[16:41] Terry O'Reilly:
Contrasts MAD Magazine with National Lampoon, founded by Harvard graduates in 1969. While both used humor and parody, National Lampoon incorporated more cutting-edge wit, crass humor, and occasional nudity, relying on advertising revenue.

[19:00] Narrator:
Introduces SCTV and its contribution to commercial parodies, featuring John Candy and others creating spoof ads that mocked the exaggerated claims of the 1970s advertising landscape.

Notable Quote:
Terry O'Reilly [20:53]:
"That's terrific bass."
(Reacting humorously to an SCTV parody commercial)

Saturday Night Live's Influence on Ad Parodies

[19:07] Terry O'Reilly:
Explores how Saturday Night Live (SNL) became a powerhouse for commercial parodies, particularly through the work of its early cast members like Dan Aykroyd.

[21:10] Narrator:
Describes an SNL parody of a Mercury Marquis commercial, replacing the original claim about splitting diamonds with a comedic demonstration involving a rabbi performing circumcisions in the car.

[22:20] Terry O'Reilly:
Shares an anecdote about Marv Goldhar, the actor who played the rabbi, highlighting his involvement with SNL and the show's impact on parody advertising.

Notable Quote:
Terry O'Reilly [23:35]:
"I guess I was in kind of a hurry. I asked for a $20, a $10, and two fives. Other computers picked up my mistake right away."
(From the SNL spoof commercial for First Citywide Change Bank)

Legal Battles in Parody Advertising

[25:37] Terry O'Reilly:
Delves into the legal complexities of parody commercials, citing the case between Energizer and Coors. Despite Energizer having initially parodied Duracell, when Coors released a similar parody featuring Leslie Nielsen in a bunny suit, Energizer sued for copyright and trademark infringement.

[26:36] Terry O'Reilly:
Explains the court's decision in favor of Coors, reasoning that the parody was sufficiently transformative and did not infringe on Energizer's rights. He emphasizes how parody commercials influenced the advertising industry's approach to humor and self-reference.

Notable Quote:
Terry O'Reilly [29:xx]:
"Parody commercials didn't just lampoon the ad industry, they influenced the ad industry. And for the better, I might add."
(Concluding thoughts on the necessity and impact of parody in advertising)

The Lasting Impact of Parody in Advertising

[30:40] Terry O'Reilly:
Wraps up the episode by reflecting on how parody commercials have become ingrained in both popular culture and the advertising industry. He underscores their role in critiquing and shaping advertising practices, making them not only entertaining but also essential for industry evolution.

Notable Quote:
Terry O'Reilly [30:40]:
"And don't call me Shirley when you're under the influence."
(A playful nod to the episode's theme and the iconic Airplane! line)

Conclusion

[31:13] Freddie Wong Advertisement:
Slightly tangential, Freddie Wong from "Dungeons and Daddies" delivers a sponsored message about Rocket Money, emphasizing financial management and subscription cancellations.

Production Credits

• Recorded at: Pirate Toronto
• Producer: Debbie O'Reilly
• Sound Engineers: Keith Ullman and Jeff Devine
• Theme Music: Ari Posner and Ian Lefever
• Research: Jillian Gora
• Social Media: Follow Terry on Instagram and Twitter @TerryOinfluence

Final Thoughts

In this encore episode, Terry O'Reilly masterfully navigates the intersection of comedy, advertising, and cultural critique through the lens of commercial parodies. By tracing the evolution from MAD Magazine to SNL, he illustrates how parody not only entertains but also serves as a critical tool for reflecting and shaping the advertising industry. The episode is enriched with historical insights, memorable quotes, and an engaging narrative that underscores the enduring power of humor in marketing.