Is #ThrowbackThursday Falling Behind On Chip Technology?

According to 1988 Jay Leno, I don’t think so.

However, it doesn’t take much to get chip technology and computers very excited…over Cool Ranch Doritos!

Herbs, spices, tomato, and onions combine with a Secret All-American Ingredient that is enough to turn technology on its head in today’s commercial, from 1988.

Don’t believe me? Watch the commercial!

Who knew Doritos (more specifically, that Secret All American Ingredient) could wreak such havoc…and that Jay Leno would lead the charge?

In his days before hosting The Tonight Show, Leno served as a guest host (beginning in 1986), filling in for Johnny Carson), During that time, he was doing standup comedy, acting (remember Collision Course? I do!), and yes, he was a Doritos pitchman, one of several notable celebrities to do so. Prior to his regular guest hosting duties, Leno had made appearances as a comedian, debuting in 1977 on the show.

As for Cool Ranch Doritos, they made their debut as a Doritos flavor in 1986, and are still sold today, even as other flavors and styles of Doritos have come and gone. Heck, they have even outlived Leno’s tenure with The Tonight Show, which lasted from 1992 until 2009, and again from 2010 until 2014.

I started watching The Tonight Show during summer break from school in 1994, and watched is regularly for the remainder of Leno’s association with the show. At the same time, I was a fan of his late night contemporary, Conan O’Brien, and I started watching his show about the same time. Even as an eleven-year-old, I loved their style of comedy. These days, I love Jimmy Fallon (though we can date that love back to 1998), but admittedly, I don’t watch his show as regularly as I did when I still lived at home.

Apparently, tasting as good as they crunch will earn you a long life with a happy and dedicated fan base.

Just ask Jay Leno.

No crunching involved in his fan base, which included this writer.

Have a great Throwback Thursday!

4 comments

  1. I do remember 3D Doritos, I wish they’d bring those back!! That’s really cool that you got to meet those 2, I’ve never been to a live show taping like that.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. He looks so young!! I love ranch, but I could never get into cool ranch doritos, I really only like the original nacho cheese or spicier nacho cheese. Those are some sweet computers!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know right?! I met him briefly after he did standup in Atlantic City back in 2005. My boyfriend at the time and I were walking past a door that went to a boardwalk attached to Harrah’s Casino and Resort, and a bunch of people were gathered. We went out to see what was going on, plus the weather was so nice. Someone told us Leno would be coming out there to greet people (no autographs, just shake hands and greet). I was perfectly fine with being able to shake his hand and say hello. I saw Conan O’Brien’s talk show in person in early 2000 (when I was 17 years old, with my parents and brother), and I sat on an end seat. Conan shook my hand when he came out to greet the audience. I gave him a nice firm handshake, but I was definitely geeking out over it! My mom said that the smile on my face was huge. I’m so glad my brother sat on the inside seat and I got that chance! My dad was sitting behind me with my mom, so Conan shook his hand too. Then he ran a few rows up and sat on a woman’s lap. Turned out to be sportscaster Mike Lupica’s mother. He made jokes about how he gave Lupica’s mother a lap dance a few times during the show.

      I love Cool Ranch Doritos, probably moreso than actual Ranch. Do you remember the 3D Doritos, those were so good, even if they were only available for a short time.

      Liked by 1 person

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