Tube City Almanac

December 10, 2007

Mmm-Mmm Good!

Category: General Nonsense, So-Called Radio Humor || By Jason Togyer

From the archives of Tube City Online comes this ad for McKeesport-based Potter-McCune Co. that ran in local newspapers on Dec. 11, 1957:

POMCO picks only the finest vegetables and processes them the same day to protect that garden-fresh flavor for your table.

And POMCO picks the pride of the orchards ... packs these luscious fruits in heavy syrup to enhance their natural goodness and provide a superior quality you'll be proud to serve at any time.

In your busy holiday season, take advantage of the wide variety of POMCO Fruits and Vegetables to make meals more appetizing and satisfying, and look to POMCO for everything you need for holiday cooking, baking and entertaining!



Mmm! Because nothing says "holiday entertaining" like limp green beans and canned fruit cocktail!

I know I'm treading dangerously on James Lileks' territory here (has he mentioned that he's written another book?) but you have to admit that ads like this one are a source of constant amusement. In an era when food companies fall all over each other to assure customers that their foods are more natural, it's quaint to read advertisements that practically brag "our foods are more processed!"

It was, after all, an era of unlimited faith in the power of technology, and of "Better Things For Better Living ... Through Chemistry!" (And through "heavy syrup.")

Of course, by the time the green beans were canned, boiled to within an inch of their existence, and served in a mushy gray pile, there was probably more nutritional value (and just as much "garden-fresh flavor") in the Pomco label.

And before you start feeling too smug and self-confident, remember that 50 years from now our advertising will look equally stupid. (Come to think of it, our advertising looks pretty stupid now.)

In lieu of any real content today, here's some alleged humor from my so-called "performances" in the stagnant backwaters of local radio:

Listen: McGipney's Big M Markets Present "The Fresh Grocer"



. . .

UPDATE: This just in from Pittsburgh's only news source, The Carbolic Smoke Ball:



Ow. The funny, it hurts.







Feedback on “Mmm-Mmm Good!”

Does the Red Flag at top of the page mean the our beloved Almanac is at risk for hostile takeover from Dickie Scaife’s Trib Total Media?

Speaking of Dickie’s failings (which seems to be a full-time job), the Daily News Online, for which I pay a fee, has no record of their ever being a December 6,7, 8 or 9th this year? Do you think I’ll get a refund?

I like some of the folks at Mckeesport’s Sort of Daily. I hope they understand that my ribbing is directed.

Another pet peeve of mine with the DN (other than having to pay for what other papers give for FREE) is that my searches only let me view complete articles that are from on or after my date of subsciption. Caveat Emptor….

I think I’d have been better off purchasing 2 hours at Doug’s on Rt. 30. Seems to be a popular hang for Blue Bloods these days.

Hey, an unnamed cousin of mine from Mckeesport has published a Novella named “Oh No Not Jesus!” which is available on Amazon

( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595433456)

and getting rave reviews:

“...better than Cats!” -Moses

The premise is what would happen if Jesus would return to McKeesport (According to the Daily News, he never left and is serving presently as Mayor according to last week’s editorial. Perhaps they saw him crossing the Mon on foot out of a DN back window.. I kid Mayor!) in the post 9-11 world and had to deal with Homeland Security.

RTB’s identity is unknown to the masses but I suspect he/she may have a career as a satirical writer.

Then again, I’m biased.

Sort of like Trib Total Media….

-Paul
Paul Shelly (URL) - December 10, 2007



Jason: My wife is in the Fair City today and just heard on the radio that Kennywood is to be sold, and maybe torn down!! Geeez. What else can we be smacked with?
ebtnut - December 11, 2007



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