I’m sure I must be missing something with this, so forgive me if I’m being dumb (it’s more than likely).
I was watching an episode of Cybill the other day, and this shot came on the screen.
![](http://www.simondunn.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vlcsnap-2021-02-20-11h07m49s047.png)
And I thought ‘oh look, a little bit of product placement for Sprite around the time it was being aggresively re-branded’.
OBEY YOUR THIRST.
They must have paid quite a bit for the placement, because it’s prominent throughout the scene.
![](http://www.simondunn.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vlcsnap-2021-02-20-11h08m11s056.png)
Except, hang on, that’s not Sprite.
![](http://www.simondunn.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/vlcsnap-2021-02-20-11h08m21s049.png)
It’s Sprito.
That’s odd. It’s clearly not that they’ve altered the ‘e’ at the end of the logo. That’s a can of Sprito. Fully mocked up for the cameras.
And it pops up in other 90s US sitcoms too.
![](http://www.simondunn.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mqdefault-1.jpg)
Like here in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
![](http://www.simondunn.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/B74k9X2IEAE4-us.jpg)
And here in an episode of Friends.
I wondered if it might be the Mexican version of the drink, but it doesn’t appear to be so.
What’s going on? Why is a fake product being given such prominent screen time in 90s US sitcoms? Was there a prop company churning out these pseudo-branded cans?
![](http://www.simondunn.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sprito-1024x576.jpg)