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?