the funny part about this show was they tried to pass it off as fully CG originally. I think they knew it was just a matter of time till Freuer let the cat out of the bag but it was good PR.
Actually, the UK talk show came before the New Coke commercials.
I also have to respect Max Headroom for shilling New Coke. The commercials made Max Headroom more popular than New Coke, but at least New Coke managed to launch something other than its own obsolescence.