2000’s
11.18.
Vanilla Ice
Robert Matthew Van Winkle (born October 31, 1967), best known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, extreme athlete and home improvement television personality. Born in South Dallas, and raised in Texas and South Florida, Van Winkle released his debut album, Hooked, in 1989 through Ichiban Records, before signing a contract with SBK Records, a record label of the EMI Group which released a reformatted version of the album under the title To the Extreme. Van Winkle’s single “Ice Ice Baby” was the first hip hop single to top the Billboard charts.
Although Van Winkle was successful, he later regretted his business arrangements with SBK, which had paid him to adopt a more commercial appearance to appeal to a mass audience and published fabricated biographical information without his knowledge. After surviving a suicide attempt, Van Winkle was inspired to change his musical style and lifestyle. While later albums by Van Winkle haven’t charted or featured much radio airplay because of their less mainstream, rock-oriented sound, Vanilla Ice has had a loyal underground following. In 2009, Van Winkle began hosting The Vanilla Ice Project on DIY Network. His latest album WTF – Wisdom, Tenacity & Focus was released in August 2011. Van Winkle is currently signed to Psychopathic Records. Click here to watch Ice Ice Baby »
1 Comment11.17.
McGruff The Crime Dog
McGruff the Crime Dog is an anthropomorphic cartoon bloodhound created by Saatchi & Saatchi through the Ad Council for the National Crime Prevention Council for use by American police in building crime awareness among children. He debuted in July 1980. The character was created by John Young. The motto “Take a Bite out of Crime” was invented by John M. Keil (born in Rochester, New York), who also did McGruff’s voice for many years. After two years on the air, a nationwide contest was opened to name the character. The most common entry was “Sherlock Bones”. Other entries included “J. Edgar Dog”, “Sarg-dog”, and “Keystone Kop Dog”. The winner, McGruff the Crime Dog, was submitted by a New Orleans police officer. In some of McGruff’s advertisements, he appears with his nephew “Scruff”.
McGruff reaches kids through commercials, songs and booklets from the National Crime Prevention Council, talking about drugs, bullying, safety and the importance of staying in school. Recently, McGruff has appeared in commercials addressing identity theft. The character is often used with his motto “Take a bite out of crime!” He also reaches kids through personal appearances as both puppets (often used in classrooms) and costumes worn by police officers nationwide. In a 1990 commercial, Ralph Edwards appeared to honor McGruff’s 10th anniversary with a This Is Your Life themed ad.
In 2005, a new identity theft warning campaign was launched in honor of his 25th birthday. Click here to watch one of those ads »
1 Comment11.15.
The Original Memory Card Matching Game
Made by Milton Bradley, Memory debuted in 1966 after originating in Europe.
1 Comment