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Say hello to the WB Wednesday mascot!
Before the age of DVRs, I used to watch commercials. In fact, during certain times of the season, I used to sit glued to the TV during commercials. I didn’t run to grab a snack or take a bathroom break. I sat, watched and waited with the VCR — that’s the thing that uses videotapes — cued up. I was waiting for a very specific commercial: the WB’s latest image campaign. Before YouTube, before DVRs, my videotapes were the only method I had to replay and embed share these promos.
I looked forward to the promos every year. To me, they signified everything that I loved about the WB.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane…
1999
The first image campaign and my favorite, which was dubbed “Faces of the WB,” memorably used the song “Crawl” by Thisway. I still get twinges of emotion and nostalgia when the song comes up on my mp3 player.
Interesting note: Katie Holmes is shown running into the arms of Barry Watson, her costar in Teach Mrs. Tingle, which came out the same year as this promo and was written and directed by Dawson’s Creek creator Kevin Williamson. It’s a WB trifecta!
Another version of this promo shows Jason Behr with Meredith Monroe and against a backdrop of Michelle Williams. He acted with both of them on Dawson’s Creek before being cast in Roswell.
2000
The WB traded in the more melodic sound of “Crawl” for Vitamin C’s remix “December 1963 (Oh, What A Night).”
2001
Remember Popstars? No? The WB reality series gave birth to the pop group Eden’s Crush. The band’s remix of “My Generation” was featured in the 2001 campaign.
2002
Yet another remix — this time, “Who Do You Love” by Lillix — provided the music for this promo.
2003
For the first time, the WB introduced episode clips into the image campaign. I think I need a moment of silence for Everwood. Yes, it still hurts.
2004
The 2004 promo definitely seems inspired by the silhouettes and colored backgrounds of Apple’s iPod ad campaign that year.
2005
2006
And just like that, it’s all over. The WB’s farewell video highlighted the many now famous faces that graced the network and brought back a familiar sound — Thisway’s “Crawl” — from the first image campaign.
What’s your favorite WB image campaign?
Wow. Brilliant idea for a post. Wonderful trip down memory lane. The clips are chilling in a really sad but beautiful way.
I actually haven’t seen most of those and I never knew Crawl was the name of that song. No problem admitting I used to love Eden’s Crush, though, and that, yes, Everwood still hurts.
[...] a Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill fan–I highly encourage you to check out this roundup of promos from the network, featuring those casts and many other teen drama stars. It’s a chillingly [...]
The WB had amazing shows. All of them bring back memories, especially Buffy, Angel, Charmed, and One Tree Hill. The promos were always awesome. I wish the the CW could be this genuine.
OMG this frickin hurts my heart! i miss the wb so bad!! come back to me -wails-