One of the mysteries of my childhood television experiences was the infrequent and puzzling appearance of Brand X items in what seemed to be such meticulously realistic programs. I remember watching celebrities quench their thirst with can after can of “SODA POP” or rip into a bag of “CHIPS”. Breakfast scenes were also oddly devoid of brand cereals and milk came entirely in white cardboard half gallons. I could accept the fictitious plots, but not the fact that these families acted so unlike regular families, at such banal everyday events, especially breakfast. Didn’t these fictional families at least eat and drink regular, brand recognizable food? (more…)