Please Don’t’ Squeeze The Charmin

In 1978 Mr. Whipple was named the third-best-known American — just behind former President Nixon and Billy Graham.

From 1964 to 1985, and over the course of more than 500 different TV commercials we saw Mr. Whipple lecture shoppers on squeezing the Charmin. Mr. Whipple was really neurotic with the Charmin.

Dick Wilson was a character actor who got the role as Mr. Whipple and turned “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin” into a national catchphrase as exasperated shopkeeper Mr. Whipple in the Charmin TV commercial campaign that ran for more than two decades

The character of Mr. Whipple was created by an advertising executive, John Chervokas. He is credited with developing the character, his persona, and his most memorable catchphrase, “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin!”

Procter & Gamble eventually replaced the Whipple ads with cartoon bears. When Mr. Whipple returned in 1999, he was shown coming out of retirement against the advice of his buddies for one more chance to peddle Charmin.

Dick Wilson passed away at 91 in 2007.

Unknown's avatar

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

12 thoughts on “Please Don’t’ Squeeze The Charmin”

  1. I never liked those ads much, but they must’ve been excellent since we all remember them decades later. I had an uncle, who when I was a kid, worked in TV advertising. He created several jingles and commercials well known in Canada. My mom once told him she hated one of his commercials, it was annoying and “corny.” He asked her what it was for, she told him. He said it was a good ad then since she recalled what prodcut it was selling.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment