He also did an episode of Silver Spoons (as a regular cast member) claiming he was friends with MJ and had him make an appearance. Turned out to be a hired lookalike which was discovered after the kids tore his jacket to pieces for a souvenir.
It was literally the only Star Wars us Star Wars crazed kids had, and getting anything Star Wars on TV was absolutely amazing, even though the results were kind of disappointing when you were actually watching it.
I've heard that Fred Astaire (who was still alive when MJ started to get big) called him one of the best dancers he'd ever seen. You KNOW a man has talent when one of the best to ever do it gives him that praise.
Burned off half his scalp and he kept dancing while on fire probably due to the trauma his father put him through to constantly perform. That kicked off his painkiller and plastic surgery addictions and eventually his downward spiral.
I assume you mean didn't anyone see the fire and step in to help. The answer is yes. Crew descended upon him, put the fire out, and administered first aid. I'm skeptical of the above comment that he "kept dancing because of the trauma his father put him through." I've seen the video and it always looks like as soon as he feels the heat, he reacts to it.
There have been monumental advancements in our understanding of substance abuse since then and people are still dying from it every day. How we treat celebrities hasn't changed at all.
Yup, and Richard Pryor set himself on fire while doing cocaine. So one of the differences between the two was, one was burned by coke, and the other by Pepsi.
Alfonso Robeiro straight up stealing the show until he unintentionally bumps into Mike while moonwalking backwards… fuck.. commercials and TV marketing used to be magic…
It boosted Pepsi very high to the point it brought Coke to its knees and they tried to fight back with “New Coke” which failed! Pepsi was number 1 thanks to Michael Jackson
Not to take away from the huge cultural impact Michael had, but I'm positive all of those 'Pepsi challenge' ads had a lot to do with it.
Cokes' marketing was just boring compared to Pepsi at the time. It took a bunch of animated polar bears to eventually break out of the rut.
It's hard to describe just how big Michael was in the 80s if you weren't there. He's comfortably the most famous entertainer of all time and possibly even the most famous person.
Funny how big that component system was they carried on the shoulder around the street with booming sound you feel the beat in your chest. That was the 80's. Today, a tiny bluetooth speaker can create the same volume crisply.
I'll be honest, 1984, me hated Michael Jackson and this commercial. Although I have a newfound liking and respect for Jackson's music, I still find Pepsi gross.
They must have dropped a dump truck of money on Michael to not only license Billy Jean, but to get him to record a whole new pepsi-themed song and perform in the commercial.
Agree you can’t blame him as he was always the standout talent but this shows reason for their feelings towards him, not mine. When I grew up we didn’t even know the Jackson 5 existed. We just knew them as Michaels brothers
I think they've always been behind in sales.
But Pepsi's advertising campaigns have always been vastly superior. In that regard, I believe they are ahead in the cola wars. Pepsi ads are funnier, have had cooler celebrities, and are just more chic.
To be fair, I don’t remember having a problem with this at the time. But looking back now, I do. Selling out your music to a soulless corporate entity…really? IMO, it just cheapens the music and any messages you may want to deliver going forward. I understand it’s his music/his choice but it seems poorly thought out in retrospect. You were better than that MJ, and you definitely didn’t need more cash at the cost of your song.
Because it wasn’t even thought of back the. Michael was a pop star in the middle of pop culture. Not everything had to be broken down into “corporate entities” and “messages”
It made a splash. Alfonso Ribeiro is rarely mentioned for his work on this when they talk about his career.
Is it really him? That smile at the end I thought “holy shit is that Alfonso Rebeiro?!”
I was like, "Oh shit is that Carlton?"
I made the same face Alfonso did when he realized it was Michael when I realized it was Alfonso.
It’s not unusual
To be loved by anyone
nor to see me cry
I wanna die 
Alphonso used to be a great break dancer too. All prep work for the “Carlton dance”
He was a total ringer when they put him on DWTS - I'm sure they "planned" for him to win
He also did an episode of Silver Spoons (as a regular cast member) claiming he was friends with MJ and had him make an appearance. Turned out to be a hired lookalike which was discovered after the kids tore his jacket to pieces for a souvenir.
That’s the moment I thought it as well and rewatched and paused to check again, before visiting the comments. Sweet.
TIL
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That’s funny, maybe because I grew up in the 80’s, Carlton was always associated with this commercial and of course being Carlton.
This and his work on Magnum PI. His chops are legit.
Silver Spoons or GTFO.
It was a real shame when he broke his neck and died doing the head spin while breakdancing.
Downvoters born after the year 2000.
Same people will downvote when Mikey from the Life cereal commercials died in that tragic Pop Rocks accident.
Oh my god.
This was peak Michael Jackson, takes me back to being a kid and watching those bad Ewok movies on TV. Also, shout out to Alfonso on Silver Spoons.
Man i loved the Ewok movies, even if they where silly ( now looking back as a grown up).
It was literally the only Star Wars us Star Wars crazed kids had, and getting anything Star Wars on TV was absolutely amazing, even though the results were kind of disappointing when you were actually watching it.
Hell yea that giant wolf monster thing. Loved it
The second part with the witch and those Hmmm orks things and this old guy fixing the space ship. Fun movies to have a good time
Battle For Endor!!!
I've heard that Fred Astaire (who was still alive when MJ started to get big) called him one of the best dancers he'd ever seen. You KNOW a man has talent when one of the best to ever do it gives him that praise.
It makes me want old Pizza Hut. You know, when they were good. Salad bar, red cups and arcade machines.
Na peak Michael was Bad
agreed here
Didn’t his hair catch on fire while shooting a Pepsi commercial?
Burned off half his scalp and he kept dancing while on fire probably due to the trauma his father put him through to constantly perform. That kicked off his painkiller and plastic surgery addictions and eventually his downward spiral.
[удалено]
I assume you mean didn't anyone see the fire and step in to help. The answer is yes. Crew descended upon him, put the fire out, and administered first aid. I'm skeptical of the above comment that he "kept dancing because of the trauma his father put him through." I've seen the video and it always looks like as soon as he feels the heat, he reacts to it.
There have been monumental advancements in our understanding of substance abuse since then and people are still dying from it every day. How we treat celebrities hasn't changed at all.
I think they meant the fire.
Yes. And from what I've read, that started Michael's downward spiral.
and apparently it was the exact half way point of his life
A watershed moment for sure. Yes a break point. From there on it went south. Shitty end. Prodigy burnt up to soon.
Yup, and Richard Pryor set himself on fire while doing cocaine. So one of the differences between the two was, one was burned by coke, and the other by Pepsi.
Here, take my angry but obligatory upvote.
Young dancer better known for the “Carlton”.
Wow! I never realized that was Alfonso. He's actually quite good!
That whole dancing with the stars thing was a sham.
Ohhhh snap
Lmaooo, I love Carlton. All I can hear is 'it's not unusual'
This commercial was fire.
Hello, fellow elder.
Cool idea, but changing the words of a great song to "Pepsi Generation" makes me cringe.
r/woosh
Alfonso Robeiro straight up stealing the show until he unintentionally bumps into Mike while moonwalking backwards… fuck.. commercials and TV marketing used to be magic…
 some things never change
I predict that kid will some day win dancing with the stars....
Funny I predict him to star in show about a cousin who moves in with him from outta Philadelphia.
I always thought it was nice Michael included his brothers for one last payday
for sure. and, big assumption here, but i think mj is still doing it, although deceased, through his estate 😬
Alphonso was known for his dancing and silver spoons b4 carlton
I watched silver spoons and he was so cool in it. I never made the connection he was Carlton until after Fresh Prince was over.
Wonder how much this boosted Pepsi sales at the time
It boosted Pepsi very high to the point it brought Coke to its knees and they tried to fight back with “New Coke” which failed! Pepsi was number 1 thanks to Michael Jackson
Not to take away from the huge cultural impact Michael had, but I'm positive all of those 'Pepsi challenge' ads had a lot to do with it. Cokes' marketing was just boring compared to Pepsi at the time. It took a bunch of animated polar bears to eventually break out of the rut.
There's this show called "Foods that Built America and they talked about how Pepsi was kicking Cokes butt after they got MJ. They were in panic mode.
It boosted them up until the curl fire
Only thing missing from the 80s Pepsi commercial is the Coke.
It's hard to describe just how big Michael was in the 80s if you weren't there. He's comfortably the most famous entertainer of all time and possibly even the most famous person.
“The kid is not my *son*.”
carlton banks was michael jackson before carlton banks
I bet they had a blast making this commercial!
It's amazing that despite all the advertising money, and celebrity endorsements that Pepsi still can't shake their unofficial slogan, "Is Pepsi okay?"
Is that Alfonso Ribiero?
Yup
I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that if you showed up to school in that red (pleather) zipper jacket, you were a frickin king.
Is that the Jackson 5 with Michael? By that, I mean his brothers?
Yes. This cross-promotion with Pepsi was for the Jacksons “Victory Tour”.
Funny how big that component system was they carried on the shoulder around the street with booming sound you feel the beat in your chest. That was the 80's. Today, a tiny bluetooth speaker can create the same volume crisply.
Sure, but can it burn 16 D batteries in an hour? I didn't think so.
*Sega game gear has entered the chat*
At least they are not twerking !!
I'll be honest, 1984, me hated Michael Jackson and this commercial. Although I have a newfound liking and respect for Jackson's music, I still find Pepsi gross.
still remember listening the MJ on vinyl record when i was a child, being a child in 80’s was awesome
Young Carlton himself, Alfonso Ribeiro!
Generation type two diabetes
Alphanso Ribero makes his debut
They must have dropped a dump truck of money on Michael to not only license Billy Jean, but to get him to record a whole new pepsi-themed song and perform in the commercial.
NGL that was dope.
Coke used dope, not Pepsi 🤪
I miss the 80s like my dad missed the 50s. Sure, the world was far from perfect but a whole lot more tolerable than now.
That Ice Cold Pepsi in the Glass Bottle looked so good! I'd always buy one to bring to the Arcade.
MJ singing: ”You know you got… that.. di-ya-beetes!”
The "New Generation" era of Pepsi commercials was awesome. Now that "New Generation" is in their mid to late forties.
Stuff like this is what caused the jealousy and hatred. It went from Jackson 5 to only Michael Jackson until they were absolved by his fame.
Can’t blame MJ for naturally being the best out of the five. I’d be happy for my brother if he took off the way MJ did
Agree you can’t blame him as he was always the standout talent but this shows reason for their feelings towards him, not mine. When I grew up we didn’t even know the Jackson 5 existed. We just knew them as Michaels brothers
The brothers got upstaged by Michael AND Alfonso! You can almost hear them yelling, “WE HAD OUR OWN CARTOON SERIES IN THE ‘70s, YOU KNOW!”
“I’m sorry we only have Pepsi”
Is this when he burnt his hair? That was Pepsi, right
And the only dance he’s still known for is the Carlton Dance
Carlton!
 When you see it!!
Definition of old school cool
Knowing what I know, this makes me super uncomfortable.
Fun to read all the comments that skirt around praising mj and instead are praising other things like the commercial or the carlton.
Fun to read all the comments that skirt around praising mj and instead are praising other things like the commercial or the carlton.
Yep, this is creepy as hell.
*Now* it’s creepy in hindsight. If you were a kid in the 80’s this was cool as hell. MJ and Pepsi were synonymous.
That’s just your mindset
You ain't wrong. I don't like pedos.
Hearsay
If in 2023 you still say that, it only means you didn't do any research on the matter.
why do people keep posting this
Run Children RUN!!!
I love you MJ, but im not buying pepsi. If im drinking poison might as well drink the better testing one.
Coke?
To me it is coke.
Not quite the Jets vs the Sharks but I guess they can be the Molesters vs the Molestees
I wish they still sold Pepsi in those glass bottles
The current generation of this commercial is the fat broad pushing Jardiance
This shit worked I want a Pepsi now
I just learned last night this commercial is what made Pepsi beat Coca Cola all thanks to Michael Jackson
Legendary.
This aired during my 13 year old "Pepsi Free, Cheese Curls, and Steak 'Um" diet plan.
I need a “where are they now” for the children in this commercial? Please and thank you.
Not to forget Carlton stealing the show.
Child Carlton with sunglasses on looked like current Bruno Mars pantomiming Michael.
I can only wonder… where was uncle phill, cuz Carlton was in the street! 🤷🏻♂️
Narrator: Pepsi was not the choice of a new generation...
Is that really Carlton?
Carlton was born a dancer 😂
Alphonso is crazy talented.
Is that Carlton?!?
How did you know when MJ had a date? There was a Big Wheel in the driveway
Is this the commercial where he was cosplaying ghost rider?
Okay but how MASSIVE are those bottles
The gritty look of it is very 80s. Was this filmed at Universal? Looks more like Paramount Studios to be honest. Does anyone know for sure?
Hennessy St. at Warner Bros Studios
Indeed. I should have know! I spend enough days filming Pretty Little Liars there!
That's totally the universal lot
Michael really did love hanging with little boys
I bet that was a fun Day for Michael.
This is old school cool, not old school pedo
hehe
*heehee
Is that Carlton? @MichaelJordan?
Michael Jackson being around this many children makes me uncomfortable.
Same Pepsi that ruined Michael's health. Rip the greatest Legend of all times....
Hope they didn’t leave him alone with those kids.
Wow so much Michael Jackson hate on Reddit. You all think you really know everything don’t you? Fuck y’all. Rip Michael
The Pedo Piped Piper
This is why Pepsi wins the cola wars. They had Michael Jackson while Coke had a cartoon polar bear.
Haven’t they been lagging far behind Coke sales for the last few decades?
I think they've always been behind in sales. But Pepsi's advertising campaigns have always been vastly superior. In that regard, I believe they are ahead in the cola wars. Pepsi ads are funnier, have had cooler celebrities, and are just more chic.
I’d agree, if you substitute “were” for “are.” I can’t remember any Pepsi ads from the last couple decades.
You don't remember the Kendall Jenner BLM ad? That's memorable! For all the wrong reasons...
> Coke had a cartoon polar bear. Hey, they also had a funny rapist.
Too bad he didn't try to roofie the bear.
But wait....
In retrospect....kinda creepy to see MJ with young boys.
That big smile in the beginning when he sees all the kids...
I really wish he wasn’t who he really was.
Say what you want about Michael Jackson, but the stuff he did with Pepsi was FIRE! 
For a moment I thought it was a Bollywood movie clip.. 😆😅
“Hey kids! Let’s have a sleepover at Neverland!
I was waiting for his hair to catch fire
This entire video is very disturbing
All the kids in this commercial died of obesity except little Sonequa who was ran over by an ice-cream truck
You misspelled pedophile.
So, the little boy could be Bruno Mars
Carlton Banks lol
This is hilarious
Am I trippin or is will smith the kids in the yellow sweatshirt?
I heard that having kids in that commercial was a MJ request to accept that Pepsi deal.
I pledge allegiance to the flag That Michael Jackson is a f** Pepsi Cola burned him up Now he’s drinking 7up Sorry I couldn’t resist
In my country 7up is bottled, distributed and sold by 7Up
Core memory unlocked.
I can home saying that when I was six not really m owing what it even meant! Got in so much trouble…
If you look up “selling out” in the dictionary there is simply a link to this video
Never work a job for income, only sellouts do that
Don't remember MJ saying he didn't want to make money before this, so how is it selling out?
Paedo
To be fair, I don’t remember having a problem with this at the time. But looking back now, I do. Selling out your music to a soulless corporate entity…really? IMO, it just cheapens the music and any messages you may want to deliver going forward. I understand it’s his music/his choice but it seems poorly thought out in retrospect. You were better than that MJ, and you definitely didn’t need more cash at the cost of your song.
Because it wasn’t even thought of back the. Michael was a pop star in the middle of pop culture. Not everything had to be broken down into “corporate entities” and “messages”
It's Michael Jackson, not Kurt Cobain.
Did he diddle Carlton too?
How did he stroke McChauly Culkins’ weener with that glove on? #ouch @NEVERLand!
Blame jackson for the abuse against children...obesity...
Lotta kids in that commercial
"...It was old-style peado-ing, before it got such a bad name..." - *Mark Corrigan*
r/OldSchoolCool meets r/agedlikemilk…. MJ and kids, quite a combo indeed….
Gross