Steve, Author at Retro Reminiscing Video and Pictures - Do You Remember

How Can You Forget Chicken Tonight?

Ragu’s Chicken Tonight was a popular line of cooking sauces that first hit the shelves in the late 1980s. The product quickly gained popularity, thanks to its innovative marketing strategy and catchy jingle that became a cultural phenomenon. In this article, we will explore the history of Ragu’s Chicken Tonight and why it was so successful, despite the challenges it faced in the convenience food market.

The Origins of Ragu’s Chicken Tonight

Ragu is a well-known Italian food company that has been producing pasta sauces since the 1930s. In the late 1980s, the company decided to expand its product line to include convenience foods that catered to busy families. This decision led to the creation of Ragu’s Chicken Tonight line of cooking sauces.

The first flavor to be released was the Original Chicken Tonight sauce, which was quickly followed by a range of other flavors such as Sweet and Sour, Country French, and Mexican. The sauces were designed to be mixed with chicken and served over rice or pasta for a quick and tasty meal.

The Success of Chicken Tonight

The success of Chicken Tonight can be attributed to its innovative marketing strategy. Ragu’s catchy jingle “I feel like Chicken Tonight” was played on television commercials, radio stations, and used in other promotional campaigns. The jingle became so popular that it was even parodied in popular culture and referenced in movies and TV shows.

The jingle was not the only factor that contributed to the success of Chicken Tonight. The product was also convenient, easy to prepare, and tasted great. Busy families appreciated the quick meal solution that did not compromise on taste.

The Decline of Chicken Tonight

After several years of success, Ragu’s Chicken Tonight line began to decline in popularity. The competition in the convenience food market was increasing, and consumers were becoming more health-conscious and focused on natural ingredients.

In the early 2000s, Ragu discontinued the Chicken Tonight line. The end of Chicken Tonight marked the end of an era for many consumers who grew up with the catchy jingle and quick and easy meal solution.

The Legacy of Chicken Tonight

The legacy of Chicken Tonight lives on in pop culture, with references to the jingle still being made in various media. The sauce may no longer be available on store shelves, but it remains a fond memory for many who grew up with it.

Conclusion

Ragu’s Chicken Tonight was a successful line of cooking sauces that became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its innovative marketing strategy and catchy jingle. Despite its eventual decline in popularity, the product remains a fond memory for many consumers who appreciated its convenience and great taste.

TGIF Friday On ABC

Are you feeling nostalgic for the 90s? Do you miss the days of rushing home on a Friday night to catch your favorite sitcoms on TGIF Friday? Well, you’re not alone. The 90s was a time of simpler pleasures, and one of the highlights of the week was the lineup of family-friendly shows that aired on ABC’s TGIF Friday. In this article, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and explore the history of TGIF, the shows that made it so iconic, and how it shaped American television culture. So, put on your favorite 90s attire and get ready for a blast from the past!

What is TGIF Friday?

TGIF stands for “Thank God It’s Friday,” and it was a programming block that aired on ABC from 1989 to 2000. The block featured family-friendly sitcoms that were a hit with audiences of all ages. The shows that aired on TGIF Friday were known for their wholesome entertainment and relatable characters that families could gather around and enjoy together.

The Shows That Made TGIF Friday Iconic

TGIF Friday was a cultural phenomenon that introduced audiences to some of the most iconic sitcoms of the 90s. Let’s take a look at some of the shows that made TGIF Friday so special:

Full House – This show followed the life of single father Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) as he raised his three daughters with the help of his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier). The show was a hit with audiences and launched the careers of many of its young stars.
Family Matters – This show revolved around the Winslow family and their neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White). Urkel quickly became the breakout character of the show and was known for his catchphrase, “Did I do that?”
Step by Step – This show followed the lives of two single parents who fell in love and got married, combining their two families. The show was a hit with audiences and launched the career of child actor Christine Lakin.
Boy Meets World – This show followed the life of teenager Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) as he navigated the ups and downs of adolescence with the help of his family and friends. The show tackled serious issues like bullying and peer pressure while still maintaining its lighthearted tone.

The Legacy of TGIF Friday

TGIF Friday was more than just a programming block – it was a cultural phenomenon that shaped American television culture. The shows that aired on TGIF Friday were known for their relatable characters, wholesome entertainment, and positive messages. They taught audiences about the importance of family, friendship, and perseverance, all while making us laugh.

While TGIF may have ended in 2000, its legacy lives on. Many of the shows that aired on TGIF have become cultural touchstones that continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. They’ve also inspired a new generation of TV shows that aim to capture the same spirit of positivity and relatability that made TGIF Friday so iconic.

Conclusion

TGIF Friday on ABC was more than just a programming block – it was a cultural phenomenon that shaped American television culture. Its lineup of family-friendly sitcoms provided wholesome entertainment and taught audiences about the importance of family, friendship, and perseverance. While times have changed and the landscape of television has evolved, the legacy of TGIF Friday lives on. So, if you’re feeling nostalgic for the 90s, why not tune into some of your favorite TGIF shows and relive the good old days?

Enemy Plane Over California

Right after the invasion of Pearl Harbor, the newspapers often had headlines like this such as in San Francisco and Los Angelos. Reports were confirmed by the military but there was never any proof of the enemy planes. After the war, Japan confirmed that it never flew over the coast of California. If you look at the history books and newspapers from that time frame you would see that Japan was very busy in the China Sea with major offensives. Wikipedia has an interesting write-up about this called Battle of Los Angeles where they say it might have been weather balloons.

Sears Christmas Book 1966

Oh, there was magic and dreams in this book! The hours I’d spend putting together my wish list for Christmas and birthday. With the ease of online shopping I don’t there there is as good a collection put together as the Sears catalog was! I remember this cover like it was yesterfday!

What special memories does it bring to you?

The Commander That Planned The Attack On Pearl Harbor

Some interesting interviews of the 20^th century are now streaming on various online services. Johnny Carson, Dick Cavett, and Merv Griffin all interviewed the headliners of our time.

One such episode was on August 26, 1965 The Merv Griffin Show had two interesting figures of World War II.

Mitsuo Fuchida was the commander of the Japanese attack force during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He explained to Merv and the audience that there were no plans to occupy Pearl Harbor or the mainland USA, just diminish the naval capacity by destroying the ships docked there.

Frederick Ayer Jr was also a guest on the show. Ayer in 1941 was a young FBI agent who was following the traffic of the rumblings of war with Japan. General George Patton was Ayer’s uncle.

The thing I found most fascinating about the interview was how Ayer and Merv discussed how on the night of the invasion how there was a huge traffic jam in San Francisco going to the beach to watch the Japanese arrival!

Captain Fuchida agreed that dropping nuclear weapons saved lives. After the Japanese surrender during General MacArthur’s occupation, Fuchida met a street minister and turned his life over to Jesus Christ. Fuchida spent the rest of his life as a minister and as an author writing about the war. Fuchida died in 1976.

I did not link this interview because it will change to and from various streaming services. This was season 2 episode 79.

The Fast Talking Guy FedEx Commercial

John “Motormouth” Moschitta Jr., also known as “The Fast Talking Guy became most popular from the FedEx commercials starting in 1981 which lead to six Cleo awards. Cleo’s celebrate the excellence in advertising. Since then he appeared in over 100 commercials, this FedEx is probably his most remembered ad. Moschitta first appeared in the ABC TV series That’s Incredible. He has been credited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Faster Talker at 586 words per minute.

John has been on many television shows from Sesame Street, Garfield and Friends, Pinky and the Brain , announcer on Hollywood Squares (2003-2004) and as himself in Family Guy as the FedEx voice guy in the Fox-y-Lady episode in 2009. He is credited in movies like Young Doctors In Love, Starchaser, Transformer Movie and the radio announcer in Dick Tracy.

Quicksand

Mcdonald’s Is My Kind Of Place

Here is a commercial from 1967 when McDonald’s was boasting that they had 600 restaurants. I probably haven’t heard this jingle since I was a kid and I was able to start singing along with it. A perfect jingle since the goal is for you to remember the place and hopefully, the song gets stuck in your head!

Video Heads Need Cleaning

Oh, the kids today don’t know the struggles. Everything in our day was physical media and subject to all sorts of problems. Photography, video, and even money are now digital/electronic. Sure, it is not without its problems but they are so much less today! But I remember wanting to record on my cassette player the first run of the Brady Bunch off the TV in the 70s. Recording TV was truly revolutionary!