Last week the Federal Communications Commission opened an inquiry into claims that the Nicktoons cartoon Zevo-3 violates advertising rules because its characters originated in Skechers shoe commercials. Here are some other shows that have raised alarms for inappropriate marketing:
1961: The Yogi Bear Show receives numerous complaints for inappropriately promoting the National Park System
1962: The Jetsons premieres as an infomercial for Spacely Sprockets
1977: Captain Caveman’s mystery-solving team constantly pauses so one of the Teen Angels can change her Kotex pad
1983: Jim Henson is forced to drop an entire subplot of Fraggle Rock revolving around the underground-dwelling creatures’ constant search for bauxite on behalf of the Alcoa corporation
1985: He-Man’s Power Sword is briefly replaced with a 3-foot Slim Jim
1990: Chevron produces Captain Planet to show kids how lame environmentalists are
1995: Bill Nye nearly loses his show following vicious allegations that he has been pushing Arm & Hammer–brand baking soda
2001: The answer to Blue’s clues that was Pizza Pringles
