The New York Times reports that two new television shows will bring back an advertising twist not seen since the 60’s – products and company names prominently featured in both the program and its name. Don Equis beer will sponsor a reality show to find an assistant for the Most Interesting Man in the World, a character in its commercials, and Meow Mix will present the Meow Mix Game Show that will test how well cat owners know their pets.
As expected in the no-new-idea-should-go-uncopied world of Hollywood, dozens of similarly-sponsored shows are already in the works. Here are few we’ve heard rumors about:
Dairy Queen’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”
Caesar’s Palace Presents “Deal or No Deal”
Belltone Hearing Aids’ “The Dog Whisperer”
“Wheel of Fortune Magazine”
Hush Puppies’ “Dancing With The Stars”
ExLax Presents “The Next American Model”
“Mad Magazine Men”
“Fear Max Factor”
Ritalin’s “South Park”
Funeral Homes of America’s “Larry King Live”
eBay’s “Antiques Roadshow”
Early Pregnancy Test’s “Late Show”