Here's a pretty unlikely retrospective: The Cinefamily is holding a screening featuring Shadoe Stevens' work in the 1980s as the wacky spokesperson for The Federated Group. The event will also screen Stevens' cable special "Shadoevision."
The one-time "American Top 40" host and "Hollywood Squares" announcer will be on hand as well.
Here's the description:
Who knew that commercials could be this much fun?! One of the most berserk, outrageous and unforgettable TV comedies of the 1980s, doled out thirty seconds at a time, was the unending series of wacky, ultra-fast-paced commercial spots for the So Cal electronics chain The Federated Group that starred "Fred Rated", the half-insane "Bass-O-Matic"-style spokesman with a smooth baritone and a suave smile (played by broadcasting legend Shadoe Stevens). Before he was the voice of "Hollywood Squares", Stevens and his round-the-clock gung-ho skeleton crew tirelessly cranked out highly memorable, frenetic nuggets of dadaist Monty Python-esque video art disguised in the form of VCR and car stereo ads -- amassing the astounding figure of over 1000 genius commercials in the span of just a few years, and leaving an indelible mark on the psyche of every L.A. TV-watcher.
Event takes place at the Cinefamily (611 N. Fairfax-- the old Silent Movie Theatre) on Tuesday, June 15th at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tickets are $12.
Here are a few "Fred Rated" spots to whet your appetite:
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