35.) 80’s Beyond Compare (Various Commercials, A Variety of Sources, 1985 – 1987)
(Recorded on 4 January 2023)
If you remember Max at all, chances are, you recall the few years in the mid to late 80’s that Mr. Headroom was the spokes-AI for New Coke, an attempt by Big Cola to try something new and edgy, at a time when billions of dollars were on the line.
The results? Some of the strangest ads for a major soft drink that you have ever seen. Please, watch them with us, at bit.ly/MaxAds1, and discover this strange casualty of the Cola Wars.
Heather doesn’t really remember anything about ads from the 80’s.
Austin remembers far too much about ads from the 80’s.
We encourage you to help with our Patreon Fundraiser, where we are working with Michael Cassutt to create an audio-drama version of his lost vintage Max Headroom script, “Families.” So if you help support Austin Rich so he doesn’t have to punch a clock, then we can get more of this kind of material to you, quickly.
In our next episode, we will be offering either some additional Maxis, or our promised conversation with Brian Frankish, the on-the-ground producer for the American version of the TV show. We’ve been sitting on this conversation for a while, and Brian was a delight to talk to. We’re very excited to let you hear what he has to saw about a life in Hollywood.
20 Minutes Into The Future 