When I watch old tapes of what my dad recorded for my sister and I in the 80s, the commercials become a PART of the experience, you know? Like, watching a Christmas special - it's not the same unless you see an ad for "My First Sony" or "Krispy Kritters cereal" (or is it with a "C"? Can't remember!) for me. One of the reasons I've avoided buying "Muppet Family Christmas" or "A Christmas Toy" on DVD is because I'm excited to see all the toys and food for sale when I was a kid, it makes me feel nostalgic and get into the holiday mood. It's not the same without that.
Is it just me (and I hate to sound like some kind of old fogie that prattles on about "back in my day..."), or are commercials these days trying too hard to be clever and snarky? A lot of whistles, too, to sound more "upbeat." Pretty much the ONLY commercial I'm happy to see is the "Boom De Yada" one for the Discovery Channel.