Comedy Central has decided not to renew the buddy comedy “Detroiters” for a third season, which inspired us to tip our hats to the show on the Daily Detroit podcast today. The show definitely played it on the nose about Detroit and included plenty of inside-baseball references to our weird culture, but it was undeniably absurd and funny.
The show, about two friends who run a hapless ad agency together aired 20 episodes over its two seasons, with some real gems in the mix (if you watch only one episode, I recommend “Farmer Zack”).
“Detroiters” was executive-produced by Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels and Jason Sudeikis, and was created in part by co-stars Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson, both of whom grew up in the Detroit area in the ‘90s and were inspired by the deep well of weird ads for local businesses and other local TV programming on offer here at the time — fertile territory, no doubt. This gives you a good idea of what I mean:
It got me thinking of some long-gone classics from Detroit television of the ’70s, ‘80s and ’90s. TV just hasn’t been the same. Enjoy!
The New Dance Show
There’s at least one episode where Sam Duvet, played by Richardson, visits a dance-club TV set that’s a low-rent version of “Soul Train” set to electro music. It’s a decidedly Detroit phenomenon, as evinced by this show, which debuted in the late ’80s as a followup to another locally produced dance show called “The Scene.”
Watts Club Mozambique
An advertiser on the New Dance Show featuring a rotating male revue cast. Every Wednesday through Sunday! (Sadly, this place burned down a few years ago.) Dig the performers’ names.
Ray Whitfield Ford
As a kid, I loved this ad for its jingle and cartoon. I have no idea what it had to do with the two Ford dealerships.
Mel Farr Superstar
Former Detroit Lion Mel Farr was ubiquitous on Detroit television in the ‘80s, smashing high prices and flying through the air with his cape. Here he is with former star Lions running back Billy Sims in an ad of stunning production quality.
Highland Appliance
Who could forget the Highland Appliance “Midnight Madness” sale ad, with the masked madman at the organ, the smoke and the candles?
Dittrich Furs
A woman wearing a full-length fur coat riding horseback or schussing down a slope on skis. An epic jingle. It all makes for a legend of local advertising.
The Detroit Zoo
There is no chance I will ever forget this ad. The soprano hippo FTW!
You’ve Gotta Have Art
Same with this one, which the DIA should totally re-air, no matter that it’s more than 40 years old.
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