In this episode, we boldly plunge into that most terrifying of depths: the critical reception of Ernest. Will Ernest remain an ad forever? Will he ruin Christmas instead of saving it? Is there any redemption for our hero? Join Erin and David as they track the cultural response to Ernest throughout his rollercoaster of an era.

In this episode:

• Pre-order the IOBE documentary!
• Going viral in the ‘80s - The phenomenon of Ad Ernest
  • Ernest coverage on the CBS Evening News Dec 06, 1985
  • Ernest coverage on the CBS Evening News July 25, 1984
• May 1987 article: The Importance of Being Ernest
• What A Feeling! - Archived vintage movie reviews
• Ernest’s transition from commercials to cinema
• Ernest in the pop culture consciousness
  • Ernest Goes to Camp on Parker Lewis Can’t Lose
• The adverse effects of over-exposure
• Once an ad character, always an ad character?
• 1989 Chicago Tribune story about the cancellation of Hey Vern, It’s Ernest
• The many southern characters Ernest can be compared to
• Customer reviews for sugar free gummy bears
• The peculiar rejection of Ernest’s sentimentality
• From hype aversion to nostalgia

But wait, there’s more! In this extra, we’re doubling our offer with additional “Ernest merchandise” discussion—our wish list items, fan-made merch, a rare Ernesto obscurity, and more of that KnoWhutImean News that you’re so jealously fond of. Call now, KnoWhutImean?

In this extra:

• We’re back and in a whole new world!
• David is directing a documentary: The Importance of Being Ernest
  • Stay updated on the film by signing up at beingernestfilm.com
• What counts as merch?
• Ernest P. Worrell: the original Influencer
• Stuff we wish existed
  • David’s LEGO Dimensions Ernest fan art
• Josh Minetree proposes a “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest” line of toys
• Unofficial Ernest merchandise:
  • The Ernest P. Worrell Preservation Society’s t-shirts, featuring unmade Ernest movies
  • Fright Rags “Ernest Scared Stupid” shirt
  • Trantor the Troll aka “Booger Lips” paintable resin figure
  • Ernest paintable resin figure
  • KnowhutIZine by Rick V and Dakota Floyd
    • KnowhutIzine at itsmerickv.storenvy.com/
    • KnowhutIzine and Auntie Nelda Shirt at the sodaprintsatl Etsy store
  • Allenolantern makes Ernest magnets and stickers
  • The Ernest Watch Party hosted by Aaron Cohen and Mo Edwards: a place to watch Ernest while chatting with fellow fans, and Ernest prizes
• Commissioned Ernest fan art:
  • Ernest Perler bead art
  • “Jim Varney is Ernest” by Neil Fraser Graphics
• “Juice Demon” and the naming workarounds for unofficial merch
• Boglins on Kickstarter
• The long-coveted “Talk Stupid to Me” Ernest answering machine messages cassette!
• Even more miraculously unearthed KnoWhutImean? News!
• The ever-expanding Ernest P. World

Be the first one on your block to own "Ernest and Merchandising!" Featuring Erin and David discovering Ernest T-shirts, dishware, cassette tapes, toys, paper goods, and hazardous materials! Buy me, Vern!

In this episode:

• A deep dive into the merchandising of our beloved American icon
• Life-giving souvenirs like:
  • BIG FUN cup!
  • Taco cup!
  • Far-Go Herbicide Cup!
  • Ernest Piggy Bank!
  • “Ernest Goes to Camp” Read-Along Cassette!
  • “Talk Stupid to Me” Answering Machine Cassette!
  • Face Ringer Tees!
  • Mello Yello shirt!
  • Scary Convenient Shirt!
  • Ernest DOLL Shirt?
  • Convenient Hat!
  • Fan Club Merch!
  • Best Fan Club Shirt!
  • Long-Sleeved Fan Club Shirt!
  • Mask!
  • Scary Mask!
  • Ernest Doll!
  • Ernest Gumball Dispenser - with Unboxing!
  • Toxic Chemicals!
• How do you market an Ernest?
• Ernest P. Worrell: A misunderstood man and franchise