Apparently the first joint commercial for the TriCon restaurants aired today and it's as frightening as some expected. :) Here's a description from reader Lee Weinberg:
I just saw the first of the KFC/Taco Bell/Pizza Hut commercials. Starts out with a statue of Col. Sanders in a museum with a voice over of Amidala saying "The Planet of Naboo has been taken over." The Colonel comes alive to SW music and jumps in his car (a Cadillac convertible?). Cut to a Pizza Hut where a woman hears the same voice over. She runs down the street, and does a flip off the bridge to land shotgun in Colonel's car. The two of them drive to some club and wait for a second, then in the back seat, the Taco Bell dog appears and says "Lets Do This!". The car takes off into hyperspace as the SW theme plays and "The Saga Begins" appears on screen.

We also got a detailed report with more information about the TriCon group's marketing efforts. Take a look.

Today marks the launch of an unprecedented promotional tie-in. Taco Bell, along with KFC and Pizza Hut have combined forces to Defeat the Darkside in conjunction with the new Star Wars: Episode 1 Phantom Menace movie. Consumers will have the chance to play the themed game at all three restaurants with prizes including a Lincoln Navigator, a Star Wars Hovercraft Speeder and even a million dollars.

The advertising campaign created by TBWA/Chiat/Day kicks off with a teaser spot entitled "Come Together" which shows our three heroes - the Taco Bell Chihuahua, KFC's Colonel Sanders and a new character, Pizza Hut Girl - responding to a cry for help from the queen of a remote Star Wars planet, Naboo. Watch for the spot on such shows as:
- Friends (Tuesday and Thursday)
- 3rd Rock >From the Sun
- Felicity
- Dawsons Creek
- 20/20 Friday
- David Letterman
- Beverly Hills 90210


Sunday 5/16, the first of three game spots will begin airing which feature our heroes in their quest to defeat the menace of the Dark Side. The campaign will also be supported by radio, print and a website which goes live next week - www.defeatthedarkside.com

I think it was artist Ed Bain who wrote sarcastically, "Let us feast on the food of the Force, and may the collectibles be with us!".