TV's best product placements (and the ones that got away)

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Cheri Sun, Jan 27, 2008 at 12:05 AM EST

I haven't purchased any specific products per say but I have purchased many books and movies because they were mentioned on 'Gilmore Girls'. Most were pretty good but some I should have just borrowed.

DanOregon Wed, Jan 2, 2008 at 03:38 PM EST

A sunglasses company is missing a big opportunity on CSI: Miami.

And the pie industry owes a debt of thanks to Pushing Daisies.

The worst was that POS Pontiac AZtec they gave Colby on Survivor Outback.

katie jane Sat, Dec 29, 2007 at 11:32 PM EST

in 10th grade i begged my dad to get me a motorola razor phone because my hero, sydney bristow, had one in an episode.

Daniel Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 07:21 PM EST

If I have to hear one more character on Heroes mention a Nissan, I'll scream.

Donkey Fri, Dec 28, 2007 at 05:52 PM EST

My friends and I make fun of the blatant product placement on The Biggest Loser. But I'm embarrassed to admit I bought those Ziploc Zip 'N' Steam baggies because of the show.

Lee Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 04:08 PM EST

I normally don't eat at Chili's, but I gave it a second chance after seeing it on the office. The food was still gross--maybe Chili's is better in New Jersey--but now I want to take a Sandals vacation in Jamaica!

Kirby Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 12:40 PM EST

I second Sandra on Arrested Development. And now, I skipped breakfast so I'm off to Burger King. *jumps over shark*

DalGal Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 12:30 PM EST

The Verizon gag on 30 Rock was about the best a placement could be! No real product on screen and Tina Fey's delivery were perfect. And Snapple was first done in the 90's on Seinfeld.

Andie Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 12:28 PM EST

I love the episode of Seinfeld where they mention Snapple like 3 times in a minute.

Rich Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 11:45 AM EST

A little off topic, but the best product placement of all time was in the movie Return of the Killer Tomatoes, with (a very young) George Clooney. In fact, the product placement is really the only funny joke in the movie. But it is very funny. Just watch the part where Clooney eats the candy bar.

RP Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 09:16 AM EST

Sara Cole, if everyone was brainwashed they wouldn't be aware that they were buying stuff because they saw it in a TV Show. I don't think Congress needs to step in.

I don't think I've ever wanted something because it was in a TV show, at least not anything that actually exists. In fact, the only bit of advertising in "I Am Legend" that worked on me was the poster for the Batman-Superman movie. (Someone PLEASE tell me they are going to make that movie.)

So maybe no one will care about what I think works but I do know what doesn't work: obvious product placement in scripted shows. S is dead on about Smallville. ALL of their product placement is horribly jarring and annoying. On a scripted show the product placement it shouldn't be obvious that the show is trying to sell something. It should make sense that the character would use the product.

Reality shows can be obvious as long as the product is relevant. Kennmore for Top Chef makes sense but not Visa for What Not to Wear.

snarky Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 08:08 AM EST

Verizon Wireless from 30 Rock and Drake's Coffee Cakes (yummmers). I also wish I could find the "Scrantonicty" album.

westman Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 07:03 AM EST

How about a Walther .32 PPK (James Bond)or a S & W .44 (Dirty Harry)or a Beretta 92S 9 mm (Lethal Weapon)

sara cole Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 04:16 AM EST

I can't believe from reading all these comments how the companies have brainwashed these viewers. I make it a point to NEVER purchase any product placed on a show. If product placement has this much impact on viewers I think its time for Congress to intervene. Where is this going to end? If just seeing products on a television show can effect the buying habits of the viewing public, will we next see corporations trying to impact elections from television shows?

sara cole Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 04:16 AM EST

I can't believe from reading all these comments how the companies have brainwashed these viewers. I make it a point to NEVER purchase any product placed on a show. If product placement has this much impact on viewers I think its time for Congress to intervene. Where is this going to end? If just seeing products on a television show can effect the buying habits of the viewing public, will we next see corporations trying to impact elections from television shows?

Hamburger Royal Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 03:55 AM EST

I L-O-V-E-D the bagel slicer placement in The O.C (own it today on DVD from BestBuy). If they would have named the brand, I so would have bought it. On the miss side, Google totally missed out the opportunity to associated itself with Veronica Mars (she finds what you're looking for - and so do we) and GMC forgot to highlight that professional grade (tm) cars of course don't desert you after a nuclear attack (Jericho). On a sideline, when will product-placementability (is that a word?) rather than ratings will determine if a show airs or not. And does that mean that eventually, say, Banco Central de Venezuela can shut down Dirty Sexy Money?

joopiter Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 01:14 AM EST

I would always laugh a little when Sydney Bristow would jump into a Ford Focus on Alias. Really not the kind of car she'd be driving. Mr. Sark tooling around in a Mercedes Benz? THAT worked for me. Yum.

Nick Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 11:50 PM EST

I love how cleverly they integrated snapple into 30 rock

S Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 10:31 PM EST

I hate the Yaris on Smallville. It makes dialogue so awkward. People don't say "Take my Yaris," but they do say, "take my car."

Jenny Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 10:01 PM EST

The character's name is actually spelled Lorelai.

Jelana Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 08:55 PM EST

I'm jumping to the movies here, but I think every one I know wants a red Swingline stapler (thank you, Office Space!).

Sally Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 08:32 PM EST

Not only the Junior Mints -- "Seinfeld" was also responsible for me actually seeking out Drake's Coffee Cakes, AND for still looking for an Entenmann's yellow cake with white icing (that would look like the one from the Duke of Windsor's wedding...) And PEZ!!

Cassie Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 05:38 PM EST

Snapple because of 30 Rock. I honestly never drank Snapple before that.

Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 04:45 PM EST

Nissan Rogue or Nissan Versa for Heroes. What car will they pick for the next season?

Ames Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 04:17 PM EST

Any car driven my James Bond is a car I want to be driving. But I want all the extras Q puts in. Imagine how drastically your life would improve with a passenger side ejector seat.

Working Girl Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 03:58 PM EST

How is it possible that American Idol's oustandingly aggressive placement schemes are not among the most effective??? Their strongarm tactics worked on me - I can't ever leave AT&T wireless - how else would I text in my votes?!?!

Sandra Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 03:21 PM EST

Burger King on Arrested Development (Tobias: This is a great restaurant. Narrator: It sure is!)
Staples products on The Office (I'll buy anything from that show)

Amy Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 03:17 PM EST

The Junior Mint plug on Seinfeld was the all-time classic. They're very refreshing!

Daniel Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 03:15 PM EST

The Sheinhardt Wig Company

NineDaves Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 02:35 PM EST

garrick, i will second that cover girl snub! and the cw loves product placement! the last episode of gossip girl was all about victoria's secret!

garrick Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 02:31 PM EST

I'm surprised Cover Girl's integration into America's Next Top Model didn't make the list. I guess WB = Smaller viewer numbers.

Heather Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 02:09 PM EST

I have to admit I have a soft spot for Sears, Kenmore, Tyson, CVS and any other company that makes large contributions to EMHE

Eric J Wed, Dec 26, 2007 at 01:59 PM EST

Among blog-readers and TWOP fans of Top Chef, Kenmore certainly didn't get their money's worth. A constant behind-the-scenes refrain was complaints about the inadequacy of the "Kenmore kitchen."