Mixed Messages

Some things are a no-brainer.  We take a lot for granted these days so what seems obvious in hindsight can sometimes be the result of years if research and experimentation.  On the other hand, there is such a thing as the "happy accident."  These can happen to anybody when they least expect it and that type of scenario was the basis of a famous ad campaign for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

It was the "go-go 80s" (and late 70s) and people wanted what they wanted...and they wanted it now!  This applied to snacks as much as it applied to junk bonds.  Reese's adopted this spirit of accidental ingenuity with a series of ads showcasing everyday folks inadvertently creating the great taste of chocolate and peanut butter. 

 Here we have two typical 80s young folks on their way somewhere, probably the arcade, when suddenly the unthinkable happens: a corner collision thrusts the guy's generic chocolate bar into the gal's crock of peanut butter (I'm only now picking up on the subtext).  Instead of noticing how weird it is that she was eating peanut butter out of the jar with her hands, the guy pulls his walkman to the side so they could both experience the brand new treat their clumsiness created.  Also they're married now (I just made that last part up).

Next up is another meet cute between a young couple, this time at the movies.  As was common at the time, the young lady is eating peanut butter with a spoon directly from the jar.  I have to assume she brought it from home because I don't recall movie theater concessions selling whole jars in the 80s but perhaps my experience is limited.  Regardless, a jump scare brings our couple together just as it brings their chocolate and peanut butter together.  They celebrate their new love by picking up some Reese's for a less messy movie snack alternative.

And now, some culture.  A night at the opera leads to a new taste sensation.  I assume that the actual opera is about the two ingredients because the singer starts the show by praising his beloved peanut butter.  Whether or not the pratfall is a part of the story or the fault of bad stage management is unclear.  But the results are undeniable: a tasty treat.  

The legacy of these commercials remains to this day as it's not uncommon to hear the old "You got chocolate in my peanut butter" joke whenever somebody gets something into something else.  I still hold out hope that they're due for a comeback.  Maybe if we all started eating peanut butter directly out of the jar in public then it would seem more natural to bring it back.