Best Commercial Ever; Highland Appliance

Highland Appliance commercial from the early 1980's. The Highland Appliance commercials from the 1980's were some of the funniest commercials I've ever seen. This one takes place on a Russian Submarine and in a Highland Appliance store at the height of the Cold War. Classic!

[@SeanSolan]

I remember this as a kid. My brothers & I would quote it all day "50 watts per channel baby cakes". Drove my mother crazy. Classic.

[@ionhunter]

Hello you.

[@masterofdisaster1354]

That’s so funny cause we would quote that too! Lol 😂

[@Paul-vc8on]

Same!

[@ifthenplay]

SAME ❤

[@robertphelps3895]

I'm 51 now. I was probably 10 or 11 when this commercial was on TV. I'll never forget 50 watts per channel baby cakes. For the people who found this commercial funny back in the 80s you rule! Cheers!

[@TonyArmer]

50 watts per channel babycakes is one of the best lines ever written!

[@4seeableTV]

This commercial and the Wendy's soviet fashion show are some of the best cold war inspired commercials.

[@AlexEisDC]

The owners of Highland were among the best clients in trusting in the power of advertising to touch people. Another classic by the wizards at Done Advertising wss called "Piano" to promote the audio department. In the spot, the mother of a young teen is on the phone in the kitchen, evidently speaking to one of his friends , "No, Bobby can't come out and play. He's practicing the piano." This of course as the guy is slipping out the window while a high-fideltiy recording is playing instead.

[@scott4370]

I used to work on those commercials in the 80s. WB Doner was by far one of the most creative places back then. My hats off to Hugh and the gang that made this and other classics!

[@alfredvalrie5541]

Still waiting on Highland Appliance to approve my credit application.

[@mattomite9097]

Alfred Valrie haha it’s better than trying to get your stereo warranty work done.

[@ionhunter]

I'm still waiting for my 5 lbs. of coffee from Fretter.

[@davemilner5504]

*laff* You too, eh? 😄

[@LisaCupcake]

You know, not too long ago, my husband looked at me and said, out of the blue, "50 watts per channel, babycakes." You never forget the funniest commercials, I guess. LOL

[@66flamer]

Lisa67 you are very loved by your husband.

[@jefflayne9448]

This might be my favorite commercial of all time! It's just as funny today as it was back in the 80's.

[@brianzielinski2495]

Kids today will never know how good things used to be. 😄

[@davemilner5504]

Just as we didn't know how some things were better in OUR parents' day. The cycle continues.

[@alfredvalrie5541]

The State of Michigan had the best local advertising and television in the 1970s and 80s.

[@ichabodcrane2959]

Most of it was created by W.B. Doner. Brilliant ad agency.

[@bwc1976]

I always thought Highland was just a local Texas chain... Glad others got to enjoy it as well.

[@LoveClassicMusic0205]

@@bwc1976 No, they were from Highland Park, MI. Unfortunately the company is long gone and the city is now far too dangerous to live in. It's a small city almost surrounded by Detroit and in worse condition.

[@Paul-vc8on]

@@LoveClassicMusic0205 Why is it too dangerous? (Ohhhhh....I know why now. Nevermind)

[@john_blues]

Oh, man the nostalgia! "You slay me...brother." 🤣

[@MaximusX67]

'You SLAY ME brother' and '50 WATTS' ........ damn - just as good as 'never eat spinach with a stranger' ...... Highland Appliance had a GREAT marketing team putting these together!

[@kachmantv6559]

W.B. Doner, Southfield

[@craigdobis7667]

Not good enough to keep them going. Shame...

[@ericblade6152]

i have a feeling "You SLAY ME" may have been many years ahead of it's regular usage. interesting.

[@snootdingo9365]

I was lucky, nay, priveleged to witness these lovely gems as a child.

[@craigs1266]

Me too!

[@aacrobatt1705]

Best Buy knocked everyone out of the box

[@johncox2912]

Even decades later, this is STILL the greatest commercial ever. "50 watts per channel, baby cakes." LMAO!!!

[@jctoad]

Yesterday I sent a pic of a furnace that I bought at a garage sale which was strapped onto the tailgate of my truck to my friend. I texted "50,000BTU Baby Cakes" She's only in her late 30's, but she got the reference. A fine example of a meme. Yes, we are both from Michigan.

[@inapugseye4578]

THANK YOU for posting this commercial!!! It's one of my favorite childhood memories, with one of the most epic pick up lines ever written. This is why KZbin exists!

[@dirkdiggler9482]

I remember seeing this one many times when I was a kid when it played on WKBD, channel 50 out of Detroit

[@Da_Fonz]

Thank God for KZbin. I spent years asking people, remember that commercial, "50 watts per channel babycakes."

[@elcoyotefeo385]

and what was their response?

[@5stringofFernandoSor]

OMG, I remember watching this commercial as a little kid, growing up in Detroit. I wish I remember what the exact year is, but Highland Appliance is long gone nowadays. It's funny to think that I was just shopping car stereos and "50W per channel, babycakes" danced into my head...I went to youtube...and BAM, voila. Rock On, Motor City.

[@soylentteal]

I worked for one of their main competitors in Texas, Pacific Stereo. Highland's ads were 100 times better than ours.

[@daltong75]

This is too funny! We used to say "50 watts per channel, baby cakes!" to each other at lunch hour. Great memory. Haven't thought of this in over 30 years. :-) ... 8-/

[@ntoddp]

I cannot believe this commercial's available! One of my all-time favorites from when I was a kid living outside Toledo, OH.

[@Paul-vc8on]

Same--Maumee.

[@chrisw6164]

They played this commercial in Chicagoland too. Never forgot it 😂

[@TonyArmer]

That is hilarious, so many years later and I still love this commercial.

[@benseac]

Even in 2023 there's yet to be a commercial to top this one, in my opinion.

[@rocknrollmonkey8668]

I still say "Hello... You!!!" all the time. Sometimes "babeecakes". Weird how things from your childhood just stick in your head.

[@RCmack]

Some of Michigan's best commercials from the '80's were Highland Appliance commercials. It's too bad Highland went out of business. I miss Highland because I miss seeing their commercials. Thanks for posting this!

[@mj1956]

I loved this one and the one about the microwave cooking school. The husband tells his wife "the popcorn is sure tender tonight." After the school, they ask her what's for dinner and she names off several gormet dishes and the little boy asks, "What ever happened to hamburgers al ketchup?"

[@DJMichaelAngelo]

this is freaking HILARIOUS!!! thank you so much for not only uploading this but for PRESERVING it all these years (decades?) -- I'd love to see more

[@jaco7675]

I'm still looking for the Highland Appliance commercial featuring 'Mr. Kleeper': "And now I'm dreaming that Highland Appliance is giving me a new microwave....". "Mr. Kleeper... you're dreaming". I still quote that one!

[@dimp10]

OMG I remember this commercial! "You slay me," SLAP "Brother!" That was great!

[@edwardpate6128]

Hey old US Navy sailor here. Sailors the same everywhere! LOL

[@bufgab]

My favorite. Quoting it outside of Michigan, though gets you some weird looks... #Michiganexpat

[@AliasUndercover]

You can quote in Houston...to the right people, of course. Only a few of us are old enough to remember when this ad ran down here.

[@jamesgorman1979]

Charlotte Cloe Fox Wind sure does

[@Fnordathoth]

Ohio remembers this ad as well.

[@davidjdailey]

Southwestern Ontario too

[@generalzod7959]

I remember this commercial it ran in Indiana too.

[@PawsButton]

Everyone once in a while I'll walk into an appliance store, and the phrase "50 watts per channel, babycakes" pops into my head. Now I remember why!

[@secondchapter]

A line I still use today, "50 watts per channel, babycakes." LOL.

[@sprite6502]

this commercial has always stuck in my head for some reason.

[@stevejones2075]

Ever notice Plotchney is holding up a washing maching lid when he lays his babycakes line on the customer? Lol

[@ChicagolandTube]

I grew up in Toledo, OH and this commercial played all the time! I loved this commercial!

[@brentdrafts2290]

Hey fellow Toledoian!

[@GregNickoloff]

Toledo! You slay me, brother!

[@Donleecartoons]

Toledo TV had some great local commercials too -- in the "so bad they were good" category. "I'm Richards! I'm Flory! Insurance is our story!" The transmission shop with the guy who got caught inside a transmission. "I'm Margaret Miller with the House of Insurance." "Hello Loves! Carlo Summer here ... "

[@clairewyndham1971]

I taught my granddaughters to say "50 watts per channel..babycakes" at 9 and 10..complete with accent..but then I taught them the footwork to the Temptations "my girl" as well..

[@davemilner5504]

GREAT post, Tony Armer! 'They say' that funny commercials are best when you remember the, 'funny' AND the 'commercial.' This classic was a direct hit with BOTH bow tubes. 😃

[@TonyArmer]

It's still funny and somehow even relevant today!

[@cherylz1553]

Oh man, I used to LOVE this commercial!

[@secondchapter]

"You slay me brother!" LMAO - NEVER gets old!

[@furnitureconsortium]

Agreed xD

[@wb2dyb]

That one made #1 on my favorites the day it aired. I was living in Austin, TX working at the NBC affiliate. When this tape came in the guys in the control room called me to come see this spot. And I too ill every now and then refer to "feeftee vatts per channel, babycakes" There's also "Hallo yooo"

[@gingerman5123]

This unlocked a core memory

[@cmsmith68]

excellent! thank you... now if only we can find the 'billy can't come out and play right now, he's practicing the piano' commercial.. :D

[@loiswright8525]

I can't believe it. I remember this commercial.

[@2thinkorknot]

Awesome ad, thanks for sharing! Does anyone else remember a Highland Appliance ad which had a bunch of people stuffing themselves into a red VW?

[@TonyArmer]

That and the popcorn one!

[@gregrocks90046]

awesome! when i moved to los angeles 12 years ago from michigan, everyone looked at me like i was from mars when i quoted "50 watts per channel, babycakes!"

[@CaptainCanuck1975]

A friend and I quoted this commercial to each other all the time.

[@mynameiswhatever]

I loved this commercial! The "fifty watts per channel, baby cakes" used to crack me up. Thanks for posting this!

[@Matthew67899]

You mean Fretter? Oops Ollie overbought!! I use that line around work to this day!

[@pennman82]

I used to imitate the sailor in the last part of the ecommercial when I was a kid. I haven't seen that one since the 80's!!!

[@polishbroadcast]

Thank you so much! I have wanted to see this again so badly. Most people from Michigan can quote "50 Watts per channel babycakes." Now i just have to find "The difference ... is mink."

[@IllinoisNinth]

My dad still quotes this commercial

[@stevenmanchester2104]

"Where's Plotchney?" Classic:)

[@snootdingo9365]

You slay me, BROTHER!

[@kueen7538]

One of my favorite commercials!

[@TonyArmer]

It's a classic!

[@FarmallDoctor]

I've been quoting this commercial since seeing it the first time so many years ago! LOL!!

[@trdsf]

Still one of the best commercials ever. XD

[@mcgrathimages]

I vividly remember this commercial. Who could ever forget "50 watts per channel, babycakes"? My 3rd grade teacher used that tagline all the time. Of Detroit's big 3 appliance stores (Fretter, Highland, and ABC Warehouse), only ABC is still around.

[@DwayneETowns]

Best local commercial to this day 2024.... ho ho you slam it brother ....ha ha ha ha...

[@rattgirl713]

I STILL say this ALL the time!

[@beckczar]

YES! An absolute classic commercial. Too bad their gone now. Making it in Detroit is rough.

[@jimcampau979]

This brings back memories..thanks for posting.

[@stevejones2075]

Highland's radio ads were just as entertaining. The bully, the wimp and the rumor circulator were three that I remember best.

[@warrenwaterman9673]

plus, the exaggerator guy.

[@TheTiggy01]

To this day. I still quote 50 watts per channel babycakes

[@fastshadow404]

Crazy... something made me think about this commercial for the first time in 30 years and here it is.

[@americafirst834]

I grew up watching these with my late father. Commercial come on in between reruns of threes company and the twilight zone

[@robadams5799]

Highland Superstores liquidated its last 30 stores in 1993

[@Qrqyt]

Back in the day this commercial had me wondering if there were Russian subs in Lake Michigan

[@TonyArmer]

There were! Lol

[@arthuridis]

Lake St. Clair...they could have easily snuk in thru the St. Lawrence Seaway, Lake Ontario...Lake Erie, up the Detroit River, past Boblo Island too.

[@tigrrtom]

@@arthuridis It would have been a sight to see a Russian sub go UP Niagara Falls! lol!

[@secondchapter]

WOOHOOO! I too am one of the Michiganders back from the day that uses the "50 watts per channel" sentence! LOL!

[@gingerbread1231]

Thank you sooooo much for this posting! Truly one of the funniest I remember from way back then.

[@johnerwin9024]

Oh man, vividly remember-THNX :))

[@bstevens4]

I love this ad! My family and I have been quoting the "Fifty watts per channel, baby cakes" and "Svimwear", since it first aired. I didn't see the "Svimwear" part in there though.

[@thomasdavy9607]

Svimwear is from a Wendy's commercial... "Very nice".

[@heyitswesty]

Watching Zeos review a high end receiver/preamp and he said at one point "It's only 50 watts per channel..." and immediately I had to find this video because here we are 30+ years later and I cannot hear the words "50 watts per channel" and not automatically think "babycakes."

[@TonyArmer]

I love that this commercial still resonates with people. I always think the same thing!

[@rocknroller111]

We used to have all three stores in our town too. They had some neat stuff and I miss them.

[@josephkrolikowski]

I used to LOVE this ad.....thanks for posting

[@delusionnnnn]

There were two versions of this commercial, each filmed separately. This is the first one, and the better of the two.

[@pete9639]

This is so cool. Thanks

[@219garry]

2019 anyone?? lol

[@gregorymuncey]

LOL! 50 watts pr channel, baby cakes! Thanks for the memory!

[@gregrocks90046]

yeah, the microwave commercial where they offered microwave cooking classes! the family was sick of eating popcorn!

[@RickDeevey]

This one was trip down memory lane for sure. How about "Popcorn's really tender tonight, honey..." or "Two Days!" or "You've got an uncle in the furniture business, Joshua Doore, Josua Door"

[@thomasphetteplace117]

Rick Deevey Joshua Door later was determined to be a mob money laundry.

[@66flamer]

I don't care how old I get, I will never forget 50 watts per Channel babycakes. Hello yes you are welcome we would like yes. I still can't figure out how they parked a submarine in the parking lot. Oh the mysteries of life.

[@TonyArmer]

I'm the same way, for some reason 50 watts per channel babycakes has stuck in my head all these years!

[@bwc1976]

Or how the American store accepted Soviet rubles as payment!

[@PTCello]

I owned an AMC Spirit AMX too...with a 4speed. I remember this commercial, too... it was funny then and funny now... hilarious.

[@mmichaelc]

I also had a AMC Spirit back then. I sure don't miss it.

[@AlexEisDC]

Indeed, the agency is Doner Advertising, formerly W.B. & Doner.

[@stephenrickman4300]

Where Plotchney? LOL I watched this one in indiana. Highland is there too.

[@mrehoward]

Hilarious!!!! I lt didn't look familiar and when I came on I knew all the words!! LOL

[@control_the_pet_population]

50 watts per channel, babycakes!

[@tbb033]

Maybe it started in the early 80's but it kept running for years. The individual items used on inserts here are clearly mid 80's at oldest.

[@bps3013]

"Ver Plotchney?"

[@norm43920]

Thats Awsum!

[@SobriquetF1]

OMG! What a blast from the past. Where did you find this? To this day, I can't help myself but say "50 Watts per channel, Baby Cakes" whenever someone is talking about wattage... and some even get it when I say "Hah! You slay me... brother!"

[@GregNickoloff]

Damn! I still do that too. Most people think I'm nuts....a few get it tho.

[@seoulkidd1]

Detroit tv in the 80s lol

[@Offthbadan]

Wow I remember this so well. Over $1,600 for a tv back then. That's when people use to throw money around like jobs would last forever.

[@CaptainPackrat]

45" color TV, only $1699! With a remote control! Wow!

[@TonyArmer]

It's a bargain! Lol

[@vernedavis5856]

another in this small group. "50 watts,baby."

[@tommythelonelyboy]

you slay me brother

[@jefflong1799]

I WANT THAT VCR !!

[@66flamer]

Jeff Long cool, I'll trade you for my 8-track player that's a fair deal because neither one of us can play either device

[@phillipsmom6252]

66flamer .... Why? I still play my VCR

[@wackyruss]

I remember Highland stores. Whatever happened to them?!?

[@Great-Santini]

The highland appliance building is still on woodward around manchester st.

[@TonyArmer]

Wow, is it empty or is there something else in there?

[@Great-Santini]

@@TonyArmer it's empty, but the sign is still on the building