The Waltons ran for nine seasons on CBS and was a cornerstone of the network’s Thursday night line-up for the entire run. Three made-for-TV movies aired soon after the series finished and then, three reunion movies followed 10-15 years later.
While the show is popular in syndication, most TV viewers today haven’t seen a single episode of the show or really know what it’s about. However, most do recognize the iconic scene that ended each episode; a darkened farmhouse with the voices of the family members pleasantly saying goodnight to one another.
The Geico insurance company is having a bit of fun with that part of The Waltons and are using it as the focus of one of their new “Rhetorical Questions” commercials. In the spot, actor Mike McGlone (The Brothers McMullen) asks the immortal question, “Did The Waltons take way too long to say goodnight?”
Take a look. (Sorry the quality’s not better.)
What do you think? Do most people understand the TV show reference? Does that matter for the commerical to still be funny?
Bob, You may be right, could be Pearl Bailey. Somehow though I think it’s a voice from some black actor from a sit-com from the seventies or eighties. I’ll figure it out eventually. Or maybe it’s just Grandpa!
Redd Foxx?..that would be an incredible feat..since he’s been gone for years.
Perhaps Billy Crystal?
Mike, I know what you mean. It sounds like Pearl Bailey to me!
@bob: LOL!
Please, somebody tell me who is saying goodnight at
grandpa’s turn. It sounds like a black person and sounds like someone’s voice that I have heard most of my life. It’s driving me crazy!
@MIKE: I think you’ll find that it’s really Will Gear, the late actor who played Grandpa. I believe all of the voices were pulled from the show.
that **** is funny!!! goo night evbody hahahaha ****** hillbillies hahahaha
Luv the Waltons commercial! Laugh so hard every timne I see it..by the way,believe that is Bill Murray doing his Garfield bit at the end,Right? Also luv the “two-tall Jones” ad and the “mean fiddle “ad! Plz do more of these-same actor!..No more cave guy,plz!!!So annoying we put tv on mute or turn/walk away!!!ugh!!Cave guy was NEVER funny!!! Thenew commercials are spot on and because of the’water-cooler’ laughs, everyone is either talking abt the ads or wanting to see them!! Good job!!!
I always thought Grandpa sounded like a drunk Woody Harrelson!lol That commercial always cracks me up.
love the commercial. i laugh every time. grandpaaaaa
Now I get it. Duh.
Why did they make grandpa sound like a drunk?
love the commercial but grandpa’s goodnight everybody sounds like Redd Foxx
I dont remeber grandpa being a drunk,but it sure sounds like it in this commercial. I laugh everytime I hear it…
Granda sounds like Woody Harrelson to me.
In this day and age it is sooooooo nice to hear this ending once again. I grew up with this series and watched it in syndication. More of this type of show is needed to get our moral compass on the right path once again.
I guess they don’t want to sell insurance to anyone under 40, cuz they won’t get it.
I LOVE THE WALTONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS COMMERCIAL!!! It makes me happy every time I see it!
Still funny.