Topps #14: Laugh-In  .
Of all the gags I ever devised for Topps, the interactive Yellow Pages card is my favorite. "Let your fingers do the walking" was an ad slogan so familiar that Advertising Age listed it in their top slogans of the century. When the two die-cut holes at the bottom of the card were punched out, fingers could be inserted to walk the card across a tabletop.

The Laugh-In television series was a huge hit, and these finger cards were part of Topps' licensed Laugh-In series in 1968. Woody Gelman called me into Larry Riley's office, and the three of us had a verbal gag session to generate cards and stickers relevant to the TV show. Jo Anne Worley (not Joanne) was presented as a loudmouth on the show; hence, the hole in mouth. Since Goldie Hawn rose to fame on Laugh-In as a sort of walking collage of painted messages, it's odd this finger card didn't feature more body art. I seem to recall there was also a card in which the finger became an elephant's trunk.


Diamonds are forever (DeBeers)
Just do it (Nike)
The pause that refreshes (Coca-Cola)
Tastes great, less filling (Miller Lite)
We try harder (Avis)
Good to the last drop (Maxwell House)
Breakfast of champions (Wheaties)
Does she ... or doesn't she? (Clairol)
When it rains it pours (Morton Salt)
Where's the beef? (Wendy's)

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Look Ma, no cavities! (Crest toothpaste)
Let your fingers do the walking (Yellow Pages)
Loose lips sink ships (public service)
M&Ms melt in your mouth, not in your hand (M&M candies)
We bring good things to life (General Electric)

Labels: larry riley, topps, woody gelman

  ¶ 11:09 AM