Too long but still an engaging list if you are in the target age group

By the time we are 35 we have seen 150,000 adverts on television. That's 75000 minutes or more or less two whole months of your life. Some of these will have featured a hungry Graham Norton, still seeking a vehicle that is suitable for this "style" so perhaps it is only fitting that he presents this marathon countdown of the most popular (greatest, if you will) commercials of the 21st century.

Those who have seen more than one of the list programmes will pretty much know the score with this; it is a long list programme with lots of contributions from those involved in the adverts as well as the usual array of celebs who may or may not have once seen or heard about the advert. However, having said that, the list mainly has good contributions from the people involved in the adverts and often where nobody involved was available (or had anything of value to say) they will just play the ad and let it speak for itself. Of course there are some people who drew a raised eyebrow from me  Gail Porter was terribly unnatural and stiff while the occasional celeb was pointless. I'm not sure how one gets a job as a "cultural commentator" but some of his contributions were interesting even if others were a bit pompous. Norton presents in his usual fashion  I don't see the appeal but I understand that others do.

The adverts themselves are mostly interesting. It helps to be aged 30 or there about because then you will know most of them. Some are "classics" but actually not that good apart from the fact that they are part of the public conciseness. Some though are really good and very memorable  funnily enough many of the middle numbers in the countdown are fairly ho-hum while the bottom end and, obviously, the top end are mostly pretty interesting or will spark some degree of nostalgia. Tony Kaye's adverts are pretty cool to see again although it is strange to see how, with so many "classic" and "classy" adverts, Melanie Sykes with her gorgeous looks and northern accent is still one of my favourite ads off the list.

Too long by far and probably best watched recorded so you can use the fast-forward button liberally but still an engaging collection of adverts that is worth a look.

The greatest advertisements ever shown in Britain.

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

See who dazzled on the red carpet and took home gold at the 78th Primetime Creative Emmy Awards.

The 100 Greatest TV Ads

Photos

Top Cast89

User reviews3

Storyline

Did you know

Top picks

Details

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed