The Crazy Bastards From 1980s Advertising
Ever wondered how the classic ‘Solo Man’ commercial of the 1980s came to be?
Justin Heazlewood, aka The Bedroom Philosopher, has the inside story.
As part of ABC’s Fresh Blood initiative, Heazlewood has produced a three part series called Crazy Bastards, a parody of Mad Men. The five minute episodes are set in fictitious Sydney advertising agency Nailer & Brown in the mid ’80s and tell the story of how some of Australia’s most iconic ad campaigns were devised, from ‘Solo Man‘ to the ‘AIDS Grim Reaper.’ The Crazy Bastards also take on the popular ’80s lunchbox treat, the Snack Pack.
Heazlewood says: “It has all the style and sexiness of the popular television series with none of the budget.”
Heazlewood stars as Nigel Nailer, the mysterious head of creative at ‘Nailer & Brown’ agency. He is a slick yet unhinged rogue, prone to elaborate ‘role playing’ and Vietnam flashbacks. His partner is Percy Brown (David McLaughlin) a goofy kiwi in double denim. He offers a cool-head to Nigel’s wilder ideas. Suzie (Sabrina D’Angelo) is their faithful and bombastic Chinese-Italian assistant. Suzie is Nigel’s muse, often providing the missing puzzle piece, and enough politically-incorrect innuendo to poke a stick at.
The episodes are available on ABC iView until August 14.
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