Posted on May 21st, 2009 by 18 Comments

Last week, after his guest-stint as Jack’s father on 30 Rock rekindled my Alan Alda obsession, I did some YouTube searches and found these charming Atari ads that Alan did for the gaming system’s more practical features back in the early ’80s. I love how Alan’s public persona as an outspoken feminist was incorporated into the ads — something you’d rarely see a celebrity do today.

Alan Alda on Atari, and the equality of men and women:

Alan Alda on Atari, and what it means for this little girl’s future career:

Some commenters on YouTube seemed confused about the typist line, so here’s a hint: that’s the joke! Alan Alda, actor, feminist, sophisticated self-parodying joke maker. (If it bends, it’s funny. If it breaks, it’s not funny.)

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Comments (18)
  1. sarah  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +4

    these commercials are only making my alan alda crush even stronger.

    Reply
  2. etc  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +5

    Oh Hawkeye…..

    Reply
  3. joe  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +1

    i’ll always remember him as gabe lawrence :( :(

    Reply
  4. Jeb  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +4

    you should see honeycut’s ads for jordache jeans.

    Reply
  5. Becca  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +1

    Holy aliteration, Batman!

    or is that assonance?
    i don’t understand rhetorical devices… :(

    Reply
  6. CarolineA  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +10

    I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for male feminists. It’s sort of like hetero gay marrage advocates. Just makes you fee good inside.

    PS: I want one of those for my birthday!

    Reply
  7. angel  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +1

    nice crimes and misdemeanors reference.

    Reply
  8. Panda Snare  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +15

    GODDAMIT STACY GET THE I

    Reply
  9. grace6697  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +6

    look lindsay, you have too many boyfriends. you have to choose one. or even a few. my point is ALAN ALDA IS MINE.

    Reply
  10. sarah palin  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +10

    Dudes who understand and support feminism are hot as hell.
    Alan Alda = sexy

    Reply
  11. Merkinsocks  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +1

    And I thought I was the only weirdo who crushed on Alan Alda (when I was 10-ish and MASH was still on the air)! I love you more with every post, Lindsay!

    Reply
  12. lookie-here  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 +5

    Alan Alda is a feminist?!
    Yes! Even as a gay man, I have no male feminist role models. :(
    That is, until now.

    Reply
  13. Jono  |   Posted on May 21st, 2009 -2

    Too bad Trapper John turned out to be a right wing nutjob.

    Reply
  14. stacey  |   Posted on May 22nd, 2009 +2

    Since you can’t see Stacey’s face for the most part of the second video, I’m going to pretend that he was talking to me.

    Reply
  15. Chris  |   Posted on May 22nd, 2009 +1

    Alan Alda is like the granddad I never had. Be sure to check out his books!

    Reply
  16. mikemontreal  |   Posted on May 22nd, 2009 +2

    so why do we all love him? I’ve tried to boil it down to voice and dadness.

    Reply
  17. Terry's Chocolate Orange  |   Posted on May 29th, 2009 +1

    Move whole groups of words around…with Atari.

    Reply

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