# Reviving Retro Commercials Watching the Crying Number Ad is a Bad Way to Feel Good By Robyn Currie | Published 2009-10-02 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crying-number References: [boingboing.net](http://www.boingboing.net/2009/09/30/early-1990s-tv-comme.html) & [filledwithchocolatepudding](http://www.filledwithchocolatepudding.com/) You know what are great? Phone lines that help. You know what are better? [Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oscar-mayer-brings-back) for [phone lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biosil-hotline) that are obsolete because they were ridiculous. The Crying Number commercial is probably the best thing ever. The premise is that you call the number for $2 a minute to hear a story that will make you cry. Dynamite. Now the truly best part about the Crying Number is the actual accompanying video. Everyone from young mullet haired men, to a man in an office, to a middle age woman, are all crying. Because they are paying $2 a minute to do so. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Humor](https://www.trendhunter.com/humor) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Retro Ad Nostalgia:** Opportunity to tap into consumer's nostalgia for retro ads and utilize them for current marketing campaigns. - **Humorous Advertising:** Opportunity to create humorous and unconventional ads that stand out in a crowded advertising landscape. - **Emotional Advertising:** Opportunity to create emotionally impactful ads that connect with consumers on a deeper level. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Advertising:** Opportunity for advertising agencies to incorporate retro ads into current marketing campaigns. - **Video Production:** Opportunity for video production companies to create humorous and emotional ads that grab attention. - **Cultural Apparel and Accessories:** Opportunity for companies in the cultural apparel and accessories industry to create merchandise that features retro ad designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Grief-Focused Voicemail Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/missed-calls.md) - [80s-Style Telethon Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/telethon-for-hawkins.md) - [Cry-Inducing Onion Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digiorno-cry-pie.md) - [Confessional Snack Hotlines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-secret-hotline.md) - [Nostalgic Mayonnaise Advertisements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meg-ryan-and-billy-crystal.md) - [Heartfelt Message Hotlines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-wish-line.md) - [Emotionally Engaging Holiday Advertisements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-power-of-wishes.md) - [Revived 90s Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruithead.md) - [Nightmarish Mobile Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cellphone-bill.md)