Wow. I'm surprised Lileks didn't get to that one before Althouse did.
I love the implication that over-smoking Marlboros is somehow okay. That's like a brand of rich chocolate cookies promising they won't make you sick if you eat a bag in one sitting; I'd be surprised if cookie manufacturers aren't working on that problem already. Of course, to complete the metaphor they'd be radioactive cookies that taste like ashtrays. So you know, Snackwells.
Rats, just clicked the Althouse link and I see the commenters beat me to the Winston ads.
On a semi-related subject, it might be worth your while to use your Netflix powers to watch Season 1 of Mad Men. As prime-time soaps go, it's very entertaining, though not nearly as funny as Deadwood. I've been planning to write a book about 1960's ad men since I was in college. It's probably hard for younguns to understand how iconic the Madison Avenue ad executives were in that era -- MAD magazine contributed heavily to that, I think -- but now I don't need to bother!
Also, I'll see your babies, and raise you a Fred and Barney!
I wish the cartoons I grew up with sold that sort of stuff instead of just toys, toys, toys.
Optimus Prime: You'll never defeat us Megatron! Not as long as we've got the smooth Kentucky taste of Jim Beam bourbon on our side!
Jazz: Optimus, come quick, the dino bots are going berserk!
Optimus Prime: Run down to your local corner store or grocery outlet and pick up some Marlboro brand cigarettes!
Jazz: But why Marlboro, Optimus? Starscream told me that all cigarettes are the same, and this generic brand is cheaper.
Optimus Prime: Ha. Ha. Ha. Another Decepticon trick. You see Jazz, only Marlboro brand cigarette contains 50% more nicotine than the competition, which gives it that smooth flavor that others don't.
*Hands out cigarettes*
Grimlock: Grimlock love flavor! Grimlock love Marlboros!
Starscream: Noooooooooo!
Everybody: Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.
I love the implication that over-smoking Marlboros is somehow okay. That's like a brand of rich chocolate cookies promising they won't make you sick if you eat a bag in one sitting; I'd be surprised if cookie manufacturers aren't working on that problem already. Of course, to complete the metaphor they'd be radioactive cookies that taste like ashtrays. So you know, Snackwells.