25 - Ernest and Critics

Ernest Goes to Podcast

In this episode, we boldly plunge into that most terrifying of depths: the critical reception of Ernest. Will Ernest remain an ad forever? Will he ruin Christmas instead of saving it? Is there any redemption for our hero? Join Erin and David as they track the cultural response to Ernest throughout his rollercoaster of an era.

In this episode:

• Pre-order the IOBE documentary!
• Going viral in the ‘80s - The phenomenon of Ad Ernest
  • Ernest coverage on the CBS Evening News Dec 06, 1985
  • Ernest coverage on the CBS Evening News July 25, 1984
• May 1987 article: The Importance of Being Ernest
• What A Feeling! - Archived vintage movie reviews
• Ernest’s transition from commercials to cinema
• Ernest in the pop culture consciousness
  • Ernest Goes to Camp on Parker Lewis Can’t Lose
• The adverse effects of over-exposure
• Once an ad character, always an ad character?
• 1989 Chicago Tribune story about the cancellation of Hey Vern, It’s Ernest
• The many southern characters Ernest can be compared to
• Customer reviews for sugar free gummy bears
• The peculiar rejection of Ernest’s sentimentality
• From hype aversion to nostalgia

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