TV & VIDEO - Feb. 27, 1987

The semi-human “chat show” host-thing Max Headroom’s ad campaign for Coca-Cola was found to be the most popular series of commercials run on television in 1986, according to Video Storyboard Tests Inc., a consumer research firm. A survey released Thursday of more than 30,000 viewers found that McDonald’s commercials--including spots with emotional family scenes--placed second, while ads of hip Claymation California raisins singing “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” were third. Miller Lite’s jock parade finished fourth, with ad campaigns by Pepsi-Cola (which ranked first in 1985) and Bartles & Jaymes wine coolers right behind.