Subject: [LIST] TF Gen 1 TV animated commercial list From: cmquan Date: Thu, 22 July 1999 08:30 PM EDT Message-id: <7n8d65$alg@dfw-ixnews16.ix.netcom.com> I actually intended to send this after LAST year's BotCon, after the Hasbro commercial tape which was shown reminded me of fond memories...somewhere inbetween, my enthusiasm waned...but since I've had this in the files for over a year I figured I better put it out before I forget about it again... I think of the little animated segments of the classic commercials as unseen episodes in a way...they were pretty cool, dramatic, and boy did they make me stop and watch the action (AND tempt me to buy the product!)...I have attempted a rough chronological order (at least as I remember them airing) but it is by no means accurate in most respects...I have included a couple of commercials which did feature animation but were not necessarily selling the toys themselves (ie the TF Train and the Marvel Comics series)... This list does not cover the following Generation 2, nor the Beast Wars commercials... I also have not found any other lists per se, around the net on any other pages, regarding this subject. If anyone knows if there is one somewhere, please let me know! Transformers commercial list: *** 1984: Most toy commercials feature the blur transformation effect, animated clips in the middle, have the Hasbro hammer logo at the end and have the kids saying the "robots in disguise" line. Marvel Comics Transformers (Gen 1) #1: "It is a world transformed...where things are not what they seem..." Completely animated commercial featuring Autobots and Decepticons advertising Marvel Comic's TF #1. Optimus Prime/Megatron: "Transformers...more than meets the eye..." Blur transformation effect (Optimus Prime) opens commercial...features Optimus Prime and Megatron briefly at the end with the same blur transformation. Autobot cars/Decepticon planes: "Transformers...more than meets the eye..." Blur transformation effect (Starscream) opens commercial...features the Autobot cars Jazz, Sideswipe, Prowl and Decepticon planes Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker. Soundwave: "? ( assuming )Trasformers...more than meets the eye..." ? transformation effect ? features Soundwave,Buzzsaw and Autobot cars(?). Optimus Prime: "Transformers...more than meets the eye..." animated clips of Transformers show...features Optimus Prime. Virtually the same as earlier version except without the blur transformation effect and Megatron's appearance at the end. *** 1985: Most commercials feature the animated clips at the start, kids saying the "robots in disguise" line and the Hasbro hammer at the end. I think the kid got glowing green eyes in some of these commercials. Constructicons: "In the world of the Transformers, nothing is what it seems." "RUN!..." features the six Constructicons/Devastator. Ends with either Devastator gift set or individual Constructicons. Dinobots: "In the battle between Autobots and Decepticons, the Autobots build a new..." features Grimlock, Slag and Sludge. Insecticons: "Paw, look!" "What is it?" features Shrapnel, Kickback, Bombshell and minorly, Swoop. Jetfire/Shockwave: "The Autobots create the ultimate robot jet..." features Jetfire and Shockwave. Jumpstarters: "In the world of the Transformers, no Autobots can jump into..." features Topspin and Twintwist. Blaster: "Look at this radio I found!" features Blaster. New Autobot cars/Decepticon planes: "New Autobots join Optimus Prime! Smokescreen..." features Autobots Smokescreen, Tracks, Hoist, Inferno, Red Alert, Grapple and Decepticons Thrust and Dirge. Omega Supreme: "There's the Autobot Defense Base!" features Omega Supreme. Rubsigns: "We are conquerers" "No one is like us..." features clips from a variety of the previous commercials and details the concept behind the rubsigns. Decepticon Triplechangers/Perceptor: "As the battle between Autobots and Decepticons rages on..." features Astrotrain, Blitzwing and Perceptor. Primetime TF commercial featuring Alex Karras (Webster)...multiple Transformers featured, plugs entire line as the hottest thing this holiday season for parents' benefit...aired once(?) in prime time on one of the big 3 networks with Karras doing the synthesized 'robots in disguise' line. Transformers Power Cycle: "Introducing the Transformers Power cycle!" not really an offical TF, but it does feature animated clips from the first Marvel Comics commercial mixed inbetween the live action 'big-wheel' footage. Transformers Train: "?-as they storm the power station, you..." features the Tyco Transformers Trainset. Not really an offical TF universe toy, but does feature animated clips at the beginning of pseudo Autobots and Decepticons fighting it out over the transforming train. *** 1986: most commercials feature the animated clips at the beginning, the kid had glowing eyes during the "robots in disguise" line and later becoming a psuedo Galvatron/Ultra Magnus(or OP?) and the electrified TF logo at the end. Stunticons/Aerialbots: "Look the Stunticons!" "Look the Aerialbots!" features the two five-robot teams and ends with either the Menasor/Superion gift sets or separate robots. Two different versions of the song "Aerialbots wage their battle to...", one features the kid with glowing eyes, the other the head transformation to Magnus (or OP?). Ultra Magnus: "Decepticons are attacking our launch site. Where's Prime?" features Ultra Magnus. Autobot/Decepticon Triplechangers: "Pinned down one time to many by Astrotrain and Blitzwing..." features Sandstorm, Broadside and Octane. Combaticons/Metroplex: "Only we have a military attack group..." features the five Combaticons/Bruticus and Metroplex. Battlechargers: "Look it's Ultra Magnus and the Autobots..." features Runamuck and Runabout. Predacons: "Few Decepticons can stand up to the Dinobots..." features Predacons/Predaking. Sky Lynx: "Look it's Predaking!" "Me Grimlock think we in big trouble..." features Sky Lynx. Prizes in Disguise/Reflective patches: "Halt! Who goes there?" " Spike and friends..." features the freebie reflective patches included in the minicar packaging and the prizes in disguise game. Protectobots/Trypticon: "?--It's enormous!" "That's never stopped the Protectobots before..." features the five Protectobots/Defensor and Trypticon. New Movie autobot cars/Decepticon planes: "And more Autobots join Optimus Prime...Kup..." features the new movie Autobots Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Rodimus Prime and Decepticons Cyclonus and Scourge. Ultra Magnus/Galvatron: "Ultra Magnus!" "The courageous Ultra Magnus is a born leader..." features Ultra Magnus and Galvatron. Sharkticons: "What could be more terrifying..." features Sharkticons. Transformers: The Movie: many versions advertising the movie were released. One long version ("You got the touch..." "Two Years in the making, unlike anything seen on television...") and a couple shorter versions ("You got the touch..." and "It is the year 2005 and a new evil...") which often ended with a countdown feature to the movie's opening date ("Opens in five days!" or "Now playing!"). *** 1987: Most featured animated clips at the beginning, kid becoming Ultra Magnus during a flip somersault jump and the "more, much more than meets the eye" version of the theme and the electrified TF logo at the end. A few versions of the commercials were aired truncated or mixed and matched with other sections, e.g. the Seacons showed up in commercials with the Triggerbots/cons, the Sparkabots/Firecons and all by themselves. Headmasters Comic: "In the midst of the Cybertronian Wars, special mission teams of Autobots and Decepticons blasted their way to..." totally animated featuring the first issue of the Headmasters comic mini-series from Marvel Comics. Autobot Headmasters: "Let's search that planet Magnus!" features the Autobot Headmasters Hardhead, Brainstorm, Chromedome and Highbrow. Decepticon Headmasters: "There it is! The secret base of the Decepticon Headmasters..." features the Decepticon Headmasters Skullcruncher, Mindwipe and Weirdwolf. Autobot/Decepticon Targetmasters: "Autobots surrender or be destroyed!" "NO, Galvatron, we too have..." features the first series of Targetmaster Autobots Crosshairs, Sureshot, Pointblank and the Decepticon Slugslinger, Misfire and Triggerhappy. Had the catchy jingle "Targetmaster Transformers...two Transformers...outta one! The vehicles transform....and so do their guns!" Duocons/Throttlebots: "Galvatron! Our jet is going to crash into our tank!" features the six Throttlebots and the two Duocons. Most (if not all?) versions end with the decoy promotion. Doublespy/Auto-Decep Clones: "Doublespy, Doublespy..." "You can trust me Rodimus..." features Punch/Counterpunch and the Autobot and Decepticon clones. Most (if not all?) end with the decoy promotion. Headmaster Horrorcons: "Deep in the canyons of Nebulon, Galvatron creates Headmaster Horrorcons..." features Apeface and Snapdragon. Terrorcons/Technobots: "Magnus look!" "I've never seen any Decepticons as vicious as those monstrous..." features the Five Technobots/Computron and Terrorcons/Abominus. Scorponok: "Technobots approaching!" "Transform Scorponok!" features the Headmaster Scorponok. Sixshot: "Autobots attacking!" "Sixshot will stop them!" features Sixshot. Fortress Maximus: "Fortress Maximus!" "The colossal Autobot Headmaster city..." features Fortress Maximus. Monsterbots: "Rodimus come quick, there's been an accident!" features Grotusque, Doublecross and Repugnus. *** 1988: features comic book style animated panel clips, no kid most of the time (he does show up as a headmaster, targetmaster, pretender and becomes OP), the "They've got the power to surprise!" jingle, and a collision logo at the end. Powermaster comic: "To defeat the evil Decepticons, Nebulons team up with..." fully animated commercial advertising the first appearance of the Powermasters in Marvel Comics' Transformers book. Powermaster Optimus Prime/Double Dealer: "A new Optimus Prime is here!" features Powermaster Optimus Prime and the Powermaster mercenary Doubledealer. Powermaster Optimus Prime: "New Powermaster Optimus Prime!" features the new OP and the jingle "Powermaster Optimus Prime, greatest leader of his time..." Dual Nebulon Auto-Decep Targetmasters: "New Transformers are here! Now twin Nebulons..." features the twin Nebulon Targetmaster Autobots Landfill, Quickmix, Scoop and their Decepticon counterparts Quake, Needlenose and Spinister. Headmaster Auto-Decep Jrs: "New Transformers are here and the incredible Headmasters become the head..." features the Autobot Headmasters Siren, Nightbeat, Hosehead and Decepticons Horri-bull, Squeezeplay and Fangry. Pretender comic: "After a series of startling defeats at the hands of the Decepticons..." fully animated commercial advertising the first appearance of the Pretenders in Marvel Comics' Transformers book. Pretenders: "After a series of startling defeats..." features the first six Autobot and Decepticon Pretenders with clips from the comic commercial. Has the "Pretenders hide the Transformer inside..." jingle. Pretenders: "Pretenders are here!" features Autobot Pretenders Cloudburst, Landmine, Waverider and Decepticons Skullgrin, Submaurader and Bomb-burst. Pretender beasts/vehicles: "New Transformers are here! In the world of Pretenders..." features the Autobot Pretender beasts Chainclaw, Catilla and the Decepticons Carnivac, Snarler. Also features the two vehicle Pretenders Autobot Gunrunner and Decepticon Roadgrabber. Quickswitch: "New Transformers are here!" "Decepticons attacking!" "NO! It's..." features Quickswitch. Powermaster Auto-Deceps: "New Transformers are here! Amazing new Transformers called Powermasters!" features the Autobots Slapdash, Joyride, Getaway and Decepicons Dreadwind and Darkwing. Targetmaster Seacons/Sparkabots/Firecons: "New Transformers are here! From the bottom of the sea come the monsters of the deep..." features the six Seacons with the clip "and anyone can become the gun!", the Autobot Sparkabots Sizzle, Fizzle, Guzzle and the Decepticon Firecons Flamefeather, Cindersaur and Sparkstalker. Targetmaster Seacons/Triggerbots/Triggercons: "New Transformers are here! From the bottom..." features the six Seacons without the "anyone can become the gun!" clip and the Autobot Triggerbots Backstreet, Dogfight, Override and Decepticon Triggercons Ruckus, Windsweeper and Crankcase. *** 1989: Most feature animated clips at the beginning, no kid with the robots in disguise line and collision logo at the end. As in the past years commercials, some were mixed and matched to make longer commercials. "Beyond anything you've ever seen before..." jingle to the non-Micromasters commercials. Mega Pretenders: "Whose forces do they pretend to be? Mega Pretenders!" features the Autobots Vroom, Crossblades and Decepticon Thunderwing. Often aired with the Ultra Pretenders commercial following or as a stand alone. Ultra Pretenders: "They're here, new Ultra Pretenders!" features Autobot Skyhammer and Decepticon Roadblock. Pretender Monsters: "Now the Decepticons have Monster Pretenders!" features the six Monster Pretenders and Monstructor. Classic Pretenders: "Optimus Prime is under attack! He needs the greatest Transformers ever!" features ClassicAutobot Pretenders Jazz, Bumblebee, Grimlock and Decepticon Starscream. Micromaster patrols: "New Transformers are here, Micromaster Transformers!" "Our new commandos, who go where no one else goes!" features the first six batches of Micromaster patrols and the catchy "Micromasters, they're smaller and faster!" jingle. Micromaster transports: "In the world of micro, the only micros that transform..." features the giant Scorponokish foot stoming down on the Micromasters city and the Micromaster transports and battle stations. Micromaster transports: "Now in the palm of Optimus Prime's hand..." features the Autobot Micromaster transports Erector, Overload and Decepticons Flattop and Roughstuff. Micromaster stations: "Now in the palm of Optimus Prime's hand..." features the Autobot battle stations Hothouse, Ironworks and Decepticons Airwave and Greasepit. Micromaster bases: "Optimus! We captured two of the Decepticon vehicles!" features the Autobot Micromaster bases Groundshaker, Countdown and Decepticons Skystalker and Skyhopper. Also aired without the opening animated clip ("Now there are incredible Micromaster bases!"). *** 1990: Other than the first, introductary commercial, most feature sparse animated clips, if at all. Commercials end in a unfolding logo. Action Masters: "Action Masters!" "Who will join me and give up the..." introduces the Action Master concept and the individual figures. Action Masters small vehicles: "Action Masters!" "New Action Masters are here! Incredibly detailed action figures..." features the individual figures and the small Blaster vehicles (Over-run, Prowl, Starscream). Action Masters Action Vehicles: "Action Masters!" "New Action Masters! Incredible action figures..." features the larger vehicles (Sprocket, Wheeljack). Action Masters Attack Vehicles: "Action Masters!" "The Autobots transform the..." features the Action Master Action Vehicles and Gutcruncher and his Strato-Jet. Action Masters OP/Meg: ?unknown at this time Micromaster patrols: "Optimus, check out the new hot rod patrol!" features the second wave of Autobot and Decepticon Micromaster patrols. Micromaster combiners/transports: "This place is crawling with Micromasters!" "Micromaster combiners reconnect!" "What?" "Amazing new..." features the four Micromaster combiner squads and the three combiner transports. A short version sans the transports section also aired. Micromaster combiner bases: ?unknown at this time. *** 1993: TF Gen2, a good as any place to end this list! Transformers Generation 2 Comic" "Driving to save the world from the evil Decepticons..." fully CGI rendered animated commercial advertising the return of the Transformers and the second Marvel Comics series. *** There are a couple ?/blank spots on my list, and I would welcome any errata or additions/descriptions of commercials I do not have listed. Also, anyone with details concering these please feel free to email me. Notable ?/blank spots are the Gen1 Soundwave commercial, Action Master Optimus Prime and Megatron (they must have had commercials, right?), the prime time commercial with Alex Karras and the Micromaster Combiner bases (Fuel Barrel/Overflow and Blackout/Spaceshot) which I'm not sure were advertised in commercials). Also, I'm pretty sure none of the cassettes ever got a commercial all to themselves, but does anyone know if the smaller, second wave of Pretenders (Bludgeon, et al) got a commercial? I think that pretty much covers all the Gen1 products.