Origin
The “Berries and Cream” trend resurrected a 2007 Starburst commercial featuring the “Little Lad” (actor Jack Ferver) performing an eccentric dance while singing about “berries and cream” in Victorian-era clothing. The 14-year-old ad went viral on TikTok in September 2021.
Original Commercial (2007)
The Starburst “Berries and Cream” commercial featured:
- Jack Ferver as the “Little Lad” character
- Victorian/Edwardian costume (knickers, ruffled shirt)
- Whimsical dance and song about berries and cream
- Absurdist humor (surreal for candy advertising)
- Aired briefly in 2007, minimal cultural impact at the time
2021 TikTok Revival
Why it went viral 14 years later:
- Gen Z discovered the bizarre commercial
- Perfect template for duets/recreations
- Absurdist humor aligned with 2021 TikTok trends
- Nostalgic for older millennials, novel for Gen Z
- The dance was recreatable (simple choreography)
The Challenge
Users recreated the Little Lad’s dance:
- Costume attempts (Victorian clothing)
- Exaggerated facial expressions
- “Berries and cream, berries and cream” audio lip-sync
- Increasingly elaborate productions
Viral Moments
- September 2021: Original commercial resurfaces, 50M+ views
- October 2021: @Starburst official account joins trend
- October 2021: Jack Ferver reprises role (now 37) in new Starburst ad
- Halloween 2021: Little Lad becomes popular costume
Starburst’s Response
The brand capitalized on unexpected virality:
- Brought back Jack Ferver for new commercials
- Released limited-edition Berries and Cream Starburst
- Created official TikTok account to engage with trend
- Proof that legacy brands can embrace meme culture
Jack Ferver’s Reaction
The actor/choreographer (now a respected dancer) embraced the attention:
- Reprised the role for new Starburst ads
- Participated in TikTok duets
- Spoke about the role’s unexpected legacy
- Used platform to promote his dance company
Cultural Significance
The trend demonstrated:
- Nostalgia cycles accelerating: 14 years (not 20-30) now triggers “throwback”
- Archive culture: TikTok users mining old commercials for content
- Absurdism peak: Weird humor thriving on TikTok
- Brand opportunities: How companies can ride unexpected viral moments
Legacy
“Berries and Cream” joined the pantheon of resurrected early-2000s media (alongside Hamster Dance, Badger Badger Badger, etc.) that found new life with Gen Z, who discovered them as “vintage internet artifacts.”
Sources: