Jacob Van Gundy | Published
Vintage TV promos are a treasure trove of weird pop culture moments, and one of the funniest is when Gilbert Gottfried meets Pinhead from the Hellraiser series. USA’s promo for their “Up All Night” block pokes fun at the interaction between the two, highlighting the starry contrast between the horror movie star and the comedian, and even throwing in a few jokes at the Hellraiser series.
In the promo, Pinhead stares menacingly in the foreground as a chained-up Gilbert Gottfried attempts to solve a Rubik’s Cube. As the comedian cracks jokes, the monk delivers a pseudo-sexual monologue. Naturally, the pair are also spending their time promoting the USA screening. Hellraiser III: The Depths of Hell In the same way.
Pinhead’s promotional partner, Gilbert Gottfried, was a legendary stand-up comedian and comic actor who rose to fame in the ’80s and was a fixture in the comedy world until his death in 2022.
Pinhead became the face of the Hellraiser series. The character appeared in the original film as the leader of the Cenobites, a group of extra-dimensional beings summoned by people seeking sadomasochistic pleasure in an otherworldly world. Pairing the embodiment of taboo-breaking with Gilbert Gottfried is a great comedy premise, and the promo delivers.
Gilbert Gottfried and Pinhead in a movie Hellraiser III: The Depths of Hell, One of the most highly acclaimed installments of the franchise.
His partner in Pinhead’s promotion, Gilbert Gottfried, was a legendary stand-up comedian and comic actor who rose to fame in the ’80s and was a fixture in the comedy world until his death in 2022. He was known for his distinctive high-pitched voice and comedy based on controversial topics and insults. In addition to comedy, he was also well known for his role as Iago in Disney’s Pinhead. Aladdin.
Featuring Doug Bradley as Pinhead and a few little homages to the franchise, this promo is sure to please. Hellraiser Fans have noted that Gilbert Gottfried being chained is a reference to Frank’s fate in the original. Hellraiser The inability to solve a Rubik’s Cube is a comedic nod to the series’ signature “Lament Configuration” puzzle box, and the monk’s poetic, implicitly sadomasochistic dialogue is perfect.
This promotion is especially Hellraiser For fans, Gilbert Gottfried’s comedic interactions with horror characters are funny enough to appeal to those who are completely unfamiliar with Pinhead. It’s a great use of his comedic style that the comedian is completely unfazed by the scary scenes he’s dealing with. The moment he casually calls the monk “Zippy” perfectly illustrates why this promo is so funny.
YouTube videos of old advertisements are full of fun surprises, including a promotional team-up between Gilbert Gottfried and Pinhead.
Gilbert Gottfried and Pinhead in a movie Hellraiser III: The Depths of Hell, One of the most critically acclaimed films in the franchise, the 1992 film veers towards more traditional horror themes and style and is generally considered to be more watchable than its predecessors. Its traditional style and high quality make it a perfect fit for a US release with its quirky celebrity promotion.
YouTube videos of old ads are full of fun surprises, like a promotional team-up between Gilbert Gottfried and Pinhead. As pop culture relics made to be forgotten, they’re a great way to get a glimpse into the media of the time. In this case, the promo is also genuinely funny and entertaining, working as a standalone sketch featuring a popular comedian and a horror movie icon.
