Skip to main content

REVEALED: The truth behind the iconic ‘Not Happy Jan’ advert - and how a twist of fate made it even more hilarious

The iconic Yellow Pages ad that coined the phrase 'Not Happy Jan' has celebrated its 20-year- anniversary.

The advert first aired on Australian television in September 2000 and featured actress Deborah Kennedy playing an office boss.

In the ad, Kennedy asks her employee 'Jan' why an ad for their business had not been placed in the Yellow Pages. 

The employee begins to run away from the office building before Kennedy sticks her head out of a partially opened window and screamed the famous line.   

Kennedy said the 30-second clip had become even more comedic thanks to a 'lucky accident' that wasn't part of the script, The Daily Telegraph reported. 

The iconic Yellow Pages ad that coined the phrase 'Not Happy Jan' has celebrated its 20-year- anniversary

The iconic Yellow Pages ad that coined the phrase 'Not Happy Jan' has celebrated its 20-year- anniversary 

The advert first aired on Australian television in September 2000 and featured actress Deborah Kennedy (pictured) playing an office boss

The advert first aired on Australian television in September 2000 and featured actress Deborah Kennedy playing an office boss 

The Australian actress explained the window was actually jammed.    

'It was a very old building in Surry Hills and it just happened that this window was this horrible thing that only opened a few inches. 

'But it certainly added to the humour and the frustration of the moment,' Kennedy said.    

She also explained how the advertisement became a cultural saying for Australians. 

'Like swearing at your kids without swearing. It just took on a life of its own … it was everywhere.'  

Kennedy said she was often wrongly credited for coining the line but it was actually created by art director Tony Greenwood

The ad itself was developed by agency Clemenger BBDO and was overseen by creative director Ant Shannon.

Kennedy (pictured in Sydney in 2018) revealed the jammed window was a 'lucky accident' that wasn't part of the script

Kennedy (pictured in Sydney in 2018) revealed the jammed window was a 'lucky accident' that wasn't part of the script 

Mr Shannon said Yellow Pages were known as a 'creative client' and their goal was to develop an 'emotional connection' between Australians and the directory. 

He explained how Mr Greenwood, from England, proposed the line in his thick Yorkshire accent and the production team thought it was hilarious.   

Early audiences said the ad was only 'mildly amusing' and the team had 'no idea' the clip would become so famous.   

Mr Shannon also attributed the cult success of 'Not Happy Jan' to its release at the end of the golden age of TV advertising.

He said ads before the interned 'had to be talked about' and would be discussed within families and groups of friends. 

The production crew had 'no idea' the ad (pictured) would become a cultural sensation

The production crew had 'no idea' the ad would become a cultural sensation 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o