Prell

Prell is a viscous, pearl green shampoo and conditioner product manufactured by Prestige Brands that according to its maker "...contains a unique “rinse clean” formula that provides a thick, rich lather for clean, healthy hair."

History

Prell was introduced by Procter & Gamble in 1947. The original formula was a clear green concentrate packaged in a tube. In 1955 Prell was marketed for "women who wanted their hair to have that "radiantly alive" look". A woman held the Prell bottle with her hands on both sides, directly in front of her face. ["It's Here-New Extra-Rich Liquid Prell", Mansfield, Ohio News-Journal, February 17, 1955, Page 32.] Prell and Head & Shoulders, also made by Procter& Gamble, were the two best-selling shampoos in the United States in June 1977. Procter & Gamble had the highest advertising budget in the shampoo industry. ["All About:Combing the Ailes for a Shampoo", New York Times, June 8, 1977, Page 45.] The firm of Wells, Rich, Greene carried out advertising for Prell. ["P&G Moves Gleem To Burnett", April 14, 1976, Page 50.] Prior to December 1, 1973 Prell billings was coordinated by Benton & Bowles. ["Advertising: VW Strays Return", New York Times, August 29, 1973, Page 55.] In advertisements the "quasi-liquid" Prell would induce a pearl to float slowly to the bottom of a container. ["Off The Shelf", New York Times, February 25, 2001, Page CT1.] Procter & Gamble sold the brand to Prestige Brands International in November 1999.

Prell in Pop Culture

Prell was used as a gag in the "Drawn Together" episode "Clum Babies". The Asian pocket monster Ling-Ling describes his new shampoo (Prell) as his worst lingual enemy; he pronounces it "Plerr", providing another instance of Ling-Ling switching L's and R's. He then asks how "Plerr" can give his hair such shine and body yet leave his soul with shame and embarrassment.

In the "Seinfeld", season 5, episode "The Dinner Party", Jerry expresses little confidence in the natural hair products his friend Elaine uses to clean her hair, and declares that he uses "Prell, the hard stuff" [http://seinfeldscripts.com/TheDinnerParty.html] .

In "The Simpsons" episode 3F09, "Two Bad Neighbors", when Marge claimed that Homer didn't vote for anyone, he responded that he "voted for Prell to go back to the old glass bottle".

Prell is mentioned in The Desert Sessions Volume V in the song Letters to Mommy , "Mommy says that daddy's not well, cause he drinks my liquid Prell".

References