Everything's Coming Up Cherries!

When we get excited about something we look for it in everything - eventually to the point that we're convinced it is looking for us. Mother Proulx never raised such a foolish child - I'm well aware that I'm currently all hopped up on a steady diet of cherry sodas, to the point that my pupils are just little cartoon fruits. What I'm trying to say is I'm immersed in a theme and my brain insists on keeping it going, so for the sake of sanity (or lack thereof, who cares) here are 10 notable cherry-related moments from Pop Culture. 

- Paul

Twin Peaks

Whenever I'm poised to purchase a pie, the option of cherry is never on my radar - except when we're on or approaching Twin Peaks day (February 24), and only then do I seem to find its taste to be damn good. And god knows this isn't just me being weird about food again - on the long list of openly fetishized elements of this show, a powerful lust for pie doesn't feel like that much of a deep cut. And no one can sell cherry like Dale Cooper (except maybe Shelly Johnson). 

Super Mario Bros. 2

My favorite of the Super Mario games (some honor, I've only played like four of them), and the biggest reason it's my favorite is probably because of how colorful it is - from the box it comes in to the gameplay itself. My favorite shade of blue is "Super Mario 2 sky blue" and that sky is beautifully punctuated with little bunches of floating bright red cherries. When you collect 5 of them the game presents you with an invincibility star, but that was entirely immaterial - I just got the cherries because I wanted them. 

"Cherry Pie" Warrant

There are hundreds of songs that involve cherries, but when I reached up into the ether of my mind this was the first one that grazed my fingertips. But it wasn't entirely arbitrary - I would consciously nominate this as the anthem to the suggestive side of the cherry's iconography (though this song speeds right past "suggestive" into "literally" town). It appears on Warrant's album of the same name, and between the album cover and imagery in the music video, no one can argue its cherryfied status. 

Hi-Ho! Cherry-O

I'd never even heard of this board game until my son got it when he was still a toddler. To the unenlightened: you spin the dial to determine how many little plastic cherries you're to pick from the cherry tree and place in your basket - most cherries wins. Its rudimentary innocence is charming, but all the functioning parts of this game are respectively gorgeous; the illustrations on the dial and the board would suggest he received some sorta retro "throwback" anniversary edition based on the enchanting 1970s artwork with which they're adorned. And the tiny bright red cherry pieces make it like Super Mario 2 come to life! (And had I had this game as a child that's exactly what I would've used it for.) 

The Witches of Eastwick

Cherries are generally sexy -- I'm not gonna list all the ways it's just an inherent thing. But Lust is a sin no matter how tangental, and the judgement can be severe (especially if you saw this movie before the age of 5). Clearly the attraction to cherries and all that they signify isn't lost on me, but neither are the effects of this 1987 Horror Comedy in which Veronica Cartwright projectile pukes masticated cherry goo all over her living room leaving everything coated in slimy cherry pits. Sing it with me: "Tastes so good make a grown man cry! Sweet Cherry Pie!"

Gambling

Slot machines, scratch tickets, Bingo cards, any kinda game that requires universal symbols has often latched onto the familiar cherry. And I think it's because of that usage of fruit that gambling seemed that much more attractive to me when I was a child. A smoking camel never coerced me into anything, but if you're throwing colorful little cherries at me then I'm sure to bet the house. 

Seinfeld

In a Season 4 episode of the show, Elaine sprays her boyfriend/would-be-attacker Joe Davola in the face with cherry Binaca breath spray. Later in the episode his presence is identified by the smell of cherry. (Just a reminder that when I hear "cherry" this is the stuff I think of, folks.) 

McCartney - Paul McCartney

I openly celebrate this album all the time - partly because of its content, but equally because it's my favorite album cover of all time: and this is my chance to explicitly point out that it's entirely due to the cherries. Photographed by Linda, it added fuel to the fire of the infamous Death Hoax - depicting an empty bowl as an inverse to "life is a bowl of cherries". So it's got spooky subtext too!

Big

There are actually a handful of great food moments in this movie, but this bizarre, probably-ad libbed scene between Josh and Billy is less about appetizing ice cream and more about laughs. I can't imagine it on paper or even Penny finding the words to "direct it" but it was strong enough to make an appearance in most of the trailers and TV spots, just about solidifying it as an Iconic Cherry Moment. 

Max Cherry

Some of you may find this one to be a stretch. There's the door, pal. The rest of you can appreciate the fact that when I hear "Cherry" it sometimes reminds me of one of the great characters of contemporary storytelling. And this isn't a rationalization either: Cherry Bail Bonds does indeed use the red fruit as part of its business logo - because who's wouldn't? 

Life is a Bottle (or Can) of Cherry Cola

C-O-L-A Cola. What is it about the cherry and the cola that goes so well together? No other fruit, vegetable, or mineral has paired as perfectly with pop than the almighty cherry; from Grape Nehi to Lime Rickey, from Apple Slice to Baja Blast, no mainstay has crossed as many borders and touched as many brands as the cherry flavor. I'd agree that once you change the DNA of a cola that it ceases to be one; orange soda is orange soda, but cherry soda is a harmonious collaboration of two great things that go even better together!

I recently chanced upon a few cherry options with which I'd been previously unfamiliar and so I instinctually purchased them without hesitation, and while that's just business as usual for me, for some reason it triggered a predatory lust for all things "cherry"; I suddenly found I couldn't go anywhere without tracking down whatever cherry beverage options there were to be had: supermarkets, drug stores, liquor stores, gas stations, auto dealerships, funeral parlors - everywhere I went I was like "I know they got that cherry somewhere." And they usually did, and I wasn't gonna be happy until I achieved at least Type 1 Diabetes. The other goal was to find as many possible iterations that were new to me. Here are eight from my journey that are worth mentioning. 

- Paul

Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream

This one I specifically searched for, and it was mostly to get my hands on that sweet can - to the point that I was prepared to write a whole article just on that design alone! Someone wiser than me once noted that cherries really bring out the best in graphic designers, and if you look at the lineage, the bottles and cans were always aces. (I've included three of the same here so you can absorb the entire Pop Art mural). But it ain't just a pretty picture -- dare I say it possibly surpasses the standard Wild Cherry in texture and flavor. The subtle "Cream" addition softens the standard sticky aftertaste, leaving very little room for anything to complain about. Supposedly this is here to stay, so between the artwork and the smoothness, World Peace is surely upon us. 

Ring Pop Soda Cherry

Everything about this screams "bootleg" - from the ridiculous concept to the sparse, fakey-looking label that resembles a product you'd spot in a sitcom. But no, same as the lollipop jewelry from which it derives, it's manufactured by Bazooka Candy Company. The idea of "candy flavored soda" had me fully braced for impact as I said a silent prayer for my teeth, but the flavor is actually best described as a melted cherry popsicle; it's sweet but not in an aggressively syrupy way, more like a polite "excuse me" way. So instead of being upsetting it was kinda dull. Pick your poison. 

Canada Dry Fruit Splash Cherry Ginger Ale

I've actually been knocking this back since last year but I had to include it in my binge - mostly because it's damn good. I actually like just about any flavored ginger ale except ginger ale-flavored ginger ale (it reminds me too much of being nauseous in front of a big plastic bowl) but I don't even see how they can call this "ginger ale" - this is through and through a fruit punch soda that's heavy on the cherry, and it nails both of those elements exquisitely. 

Polar Black Cherry

I always thought tacking "black" onto the front of "cherry" was some bullshit attempt at sounding cool, and for a lotta candies and bubblegums I've found that's typically been the case. But Polar takes it a lot more seriously - instead of your straightforward maraschino approach, this one leans into the sourness of a fruit that came right off the tree. If you're into that then this one is for you. 

Caruso's Maraschino Cherry Cola

This one outright promises the maraschino experience (which is generally just assumed unless otherwise noted). This one could end up as a mistrial because I didn't find it particularly fizzy, which obviously could mean I just ended up with a flat bottle. Whatever, it happens - it was still just bubbly and sweet enough to finish the whole thing, even if the predominant taste was "glass". 

Mountain Dew Game Fuel Circus Cherry

I didn't know the brand well enough to not just assume that this was their Code Red flavor, but apparently it's not - this is actually a rerelease of a Limited Edition flavor from 2014, brought back to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of World of Warcraft. I don't really know much about anything I just wrote, but I will say it's notable that Mountain Dew finally acknowledged that their target audience is not surfer Michelangelo-types who dive off cliffs, but is, in fact, gamers. And remember my fears in regards to the Ring Pop soda? Game Fuel makes them a reality!

Dr. Pepper Cherry

People have always tried to convince me that regular Dr. Pepper was technically a full-time cherry cola. And I'd tell them they were wrong with curse words. Now I simply have proof: while "cherry" is indeed one of the Dr.'s famous 23 ingredients, this is their legitimate Cherry form. Unencumbered by a "cream" or "vanilla" accompaniment, there's only one new flavor to detect, and much to my surprise it's entirely detectable; I've always argued in the past that all flavors or Dr. Pepper basically taste like the original, but this sole addition of cherry flavor actually dulls that rubbery tire tinge that always feels present to me. If they'll allow it, when I want a Dr. Pepper from now on, I'm reaching for this one.

Cherry RC Cola

This is no dream, this is really happening! (That's more about reassuring me than you.) If you're even a casual reader here you could be aware that I've been seeking this flavor for well over a decade; for some of you this beverage may be abundantly available from any local store but in my region of the country it simply doesn't exist. Or so I thought. Let's just say strings were pulled, measures were taken, and various things fell into place to lead me here. So where is "here"? Much in the way Royal Crown Cola is the distinct midpoint between Coke and Pepsi, RC Cherry is noticeably less bitter than Cherry Coke and less syrupy than Wild Cherry Pepsi... making it kinda perfect(?). Or maybe it's just the taste of Victory that's so appealing. Either way it was worth the wait and I'll enjoy it while it lasts. 

All I Want is a WILD CHERRY PEPSI

OMG you guys!! Pepsi finally ditched their wimpy lowercase extra lite typeface after 15(!) years and have officially rebranded back to their dark bold capital letter logo. This change (upgrade) was announced earlier this year and I was hoping for a summer unveiling, but the truth is we need it now more than then. In either case, the 21st Century seems to've just started pulling its weight. 

A little over 5 years ago Pepsi released a "Throwback" label that most closely resembled their late 70s/early 80s graphics and I used that limited time prick tease to profess my love for that particular design. Now I'm back to say that while it may not be an exact duplicate of that artwork that I so adored, it's the best they've done since '91. If you're into the Diet Caffeine Free variety like me (you're not) I'd say that label is the Flux Capacitor in this time machine. 

In the very least, this new Pepsi look could pass for a stunt double of my nostalgic aesthetic. But in one very important area, they've gone above and beyond a simple font glow up and blessed us with something that, while derivative, is a work of art nonetheless - and it was the area that needed the most work. 

For most of this century Pepsi's branding has been laughably subtle and visually boring. And that's fine, I'm a Coke guy, but outside of complacent loyalty, I'd always preferred the taste of Pepsi's Wild Cherry over Coca-Cola Cherry, and even at Coke's blandest low point of labeling (which is where they're at now), their sleek familiarity still had Pepsi beat all to hell when it came to "The Cherry Look."

Granted, throughout the 1990s, Pepsi had a firm grasp on what the idea of a Cherry Cola should look like, as did Coke, as though their competition were continually lifting the other up into greater heights of rainbow bliss. Actual mouth taste was irrelevant at that time, because as I more recently discussed, the mid 90s Cherry Coke label was and is such an unvanquished masterpiece of modern art that they coulda filled those bottles & cans with baby powder and cilantro and I still would've preferred it. But, ladies and gentlemen and other, today I'm here to tell you that Pepsi Wild Cherry has made a bold and viable attempt to follow the path of beauty and distinction previously forged by their competitor. 

It looks pretty good and tastes even better. But beyond the 90s nostalgia and ignoring Coca-Cola's achievement, Pepsi's winning execution here is one of my greatest surprises of 2023. Sure it feels like some sorta sexual release after years of their dreadfully dull composition, but even forgetting that too, it's raining goddamn cherries on the can! It's busy and sexy and colorful and everything that everything else isn't. Burger King destroyed McDonald's this Halloween season as far as I'm concerned, and now Pepsi has spanked Coke's novelty-flavored ass - not with any Limited Edition gimmickry but with what appears to be a fixed status quo. We now live in a world, for however long, where soda cans are pretty again. Act accordingly. 

- Paul

Still Cherryfied (after all these years)

"Art has no end but its own perfection."

- Plato

I'm here to talk about The Can. Well, technically The Label because back in '92 we got our soda out of plastic 2 liter bottles in my household. And while the wrinkled cellophane wrapping paled in comparison to the sturdy lustrous aluminum, the purple zigzagged majesty and polka dotted cherry pattern that made up this modern Pop Art masterpiece could not be contained nor compromised by its own canvas. 

Cherry Coke was officially introduced to the public in the Summer of 1985, right alongside New Coke. Clearly, consumers preferred the former, and once New Coke disappeared, "Coca-Cola Cherry" absorbed all the attention and adoration (and sales). The thing about Coke is that for as many packaging changes they've run through, they've never noticeably rebranded; with transparent intention they've upheld their same cursive logo and solid red color scheme for over a century. And while I've found that Diet Coke remains to be its own thing (again, as intended) Cherry Coke provided a clean slate for fresh graphic design ideas to match the current aesthetic of any given time. (Pepsi took advantage of that from Day One.)

The initial Cherry design acted as a spinoff of the Diet design: serif print typeface employing the "Coke" shorthand over the obligatory Cola pinstripes. Even then those vivid candy apple accents over that stark white would stand out from across any pizza parlor. 

In '89 there were some bizarre regional Cherry Coke cans in the U.S. that foreshadowed the potential that this drink provoked. Coca-Cola (and perhaps all "sodas" or "pops" or "tonics" or "soft drinks") is like the elemental bloodstream of not just popular culture, but culture; it's a complex medicine, a low-key forbidden fruit with a growing stigma perpetrated by puritanical influencers, often disregarding the will of moderation, but much more than that, the pursuit of happiness (however brief). Since 1886 the company has rested on the shoulders of slogans like:

Pure as Sunlight (1927)

Sign of Good Taste (1957)

Have a Coke and a Smile (1979)

When Coca-Cola is a Part of Your Life, You Can't Beat the Feeling (1987)

Life Tastes Good (2001)

And if one were able to muster up the bravery to look beyond the They Live rhetoric of "BUY THIS AND IT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY" and acknowledge that not only is it harmless, but therapeutic, then maybe there would be a greater sense of peace and unity like the advertising promised. 

But when you add Cherry to this magic spell it becomes less wholesome, less commercial. Cherry is flirty, it's suggestive; you share a Coke with a friend, but a Cherry Coke is more than friends and this sorta approach and aesthetic came out in the promotional stuff as well as on the label. 

Then, in 1992, this perceived mood shifted from Summer Fling to Summer Vacation as Cherry Coke officially changed their branding to what I consider to be a pinnacle of contemporary graphic design, but also to something noticeably more playful and pure (and that's not just because I was 9 years old). What was initially introduced as a mid 80s Vaporwave milestone had gracefully transformed into an early 90s cartoon, and it was only incidental that I happened to be at the right age. 

I'm always excited to call attention to the Pop Art revival of this era, but it's rarely recognized as the paradoxical movement that it truly was. The initial midcentury Pop Art period was largely about repurposing familiar and popular imagery into an ironic framework. By the 1990s the flavor and structure of the art was being utilized by the corporations and advertisers who were the original butt of the joke, thereby creating a whole new level of incidental irony: MTV, Nickelodeon, video games, junk food, anything sold to kids was capturing (in a very successful and attractive way) the spirit and tone of Warhol, Renquist, and Lichtenstein. And beyond the commercials and magazine ads, the quality made its way onto tangible items - namely products, specifically Cherry Coke.

There's nothing more poisonous to a point being made than, "Back in my day, things were better (or worse), easier (or harder); considerably different than they are now, ergo more substantial." I was a child when soda cans looked like this, but this is less of a nostalgia trip and more Art Appreciation. (Though I'm sure in the age of Monet there were those who asserted Manet was better.) But I believe Cherry Coke labels peaked from 1992-1995 and I don't care who knows it. 

The aggressively cartoonish logo in '95 was a harsh adaptation that felt like another product entirely - somewhere between a sour hard candy and a failed Fox primetime animated series - but of course now in hindsight it was just creative and outrageous enough to blend in with the art gallery that adorned every aisle of every store. But for the brief black and purple years, we were all blessed with a beauty that transcended even the fruity carbonated nectar within its magnificent vessel; as eye-catching graphic glamour aimed at consumers, it did its job - I've never liked Cherry Coke as much as I did when it was wrapped in this masterpiece, and it certainly doesn't taste as good in its current drabness. 

I discuss this stuff to entertain and inform, but also to create an awareness that could perhaps culminate into an actual throwback gimmick from the Coca-Cola Company - everyone from movies to McDonald's have been recycling the past to middling effect, so why not tackle this seemingly simple contribution to the trend? That's the generous thing about Pop Art: it's disposable but repetitious and easily reproducible.

- Paul