Best Old TV Commercials » PSA

Don’t Litter PSA – Crying Indian

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:37:19 +0000

American consumers have often stereotyped Native Americans as being in tune with a bold, quiet strength, mysticism, and being “in tune’ with nature.

So, this leads us to the crying Indian. The crying Indian wasn’t actually Native American at all, in fact, he was an Italian actor that went by the name “Iron Eyes Cody”. In the 1970’s he appeared in a few anti-littering advertisements, some of the first ones as American consumers started to feel guilty about over-consumption and wastefulness. In hindsight, perhaps this is an example of how advertising doesn’t work, hm?

This public service announcement begins as Iron Eyes rows his classic canoe onto the beach shore to find it littered by a bunch of dirty, parasitic Americans. It’s filled with burger wrappers, drink containers, and the like. He steps over the rubble and somehow ends up at the side of the highway. Why he rowed to the side of the highway really isn’t our business, I mean, this is Iron Eyes Cody after all.

American consumers, however, not only lack respect for the land, but they also lack respect for people dressed in full costume on the side of the road. A sloppy, indifferent driver chucks their leftover fast food at him, ruining his moccasins. Shamed and hurt, Iron Eyes sheds a single tear.

“People start pollution, people can stop it.”

Don’t Litter PSA – Crying Indian Returns

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:25:48 +0000

The crying Indian returns in this commercial, showing that our American cities are “x” percentage cleaner than they were before. “X” percentage “cleaner”. Hmmm. How do you measure cleanliness?

Did we pick up all the litter on the side of the road? Did we pull all those shoes dangling from the power lines? Maybe we were driving less. Were we planting more trees? Perhaps more kids were using Hand Sanitizer.

We’re not told how they’re measuring cleanliness, or how this percentage means much of anything at all. I suppose you had to order the pamphlet for the explanation.

For the past 20 – 30 years, we rested well in the comfort that every city is exponentially cleaner, America. So, where did our Indian guide go? Is he finally smiling? We can only assume with the global warming concerns and guilt for over-consumption that he must have bawled himself to death at some point during the past 20 years.

Don’t Do Drugs – Snake Drug Dealer

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:15:38 +0000

Hey kids, it’s your friend Snake. He wants to get you something good, some good drugs, you feel me? You’ll steal from your momma, lie, and cheat on your homeboys.

This commercial is completely absurd. I still guffaw every time it ends. What exactly is the message here? Drug dealers are reptilians in disguise as humans?

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Don’t Do Drugs – African American Heritage

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:08:53 +0000

A bold, strong, and to-the-point message of shame aimed squarely at African American males, this anti-drug Public Service Announcement is one of a kind. “Drug Abuse is the new slavery” – It’s likely one of the only anti-drug commercials you’ll find with this message in mind and shows the extent of costly advertising for the “War of Drugs” in the United States.

Don’t Smoke Pot – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles PSA

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:58:39 +0000

Our 11 year old friend Joey is assaulted from behind with peer pressure. His ignorant and tactless friend walks up to invite Joey to smoke up with him in the middle of the school hallway. He pulls out 3 joints right from his pocket to show them off. “Marijuana” he says.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles disapprove – Joey shouldn’t give in to such shameless peer pressure. Emblazened with bravery, Joey triumphs this time over the evil big kid drug dealing dork.

“Don’t even talk to them.” Turkeys, they are.

I suppose when you’re a kid these kinds of messages help curb drug use, but I won’t even bother to point out the numerous absurdities in this commerical. 11 year olds? Seriously?

Pee-Wee Herman says “Don’t Do Crack”

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:45:49 +0000

Pee Wee Herman does a little show-and-tell with a crack rock and tells us crack kills.

Who could take him seriously with that voice and bow-tie? Well, we did as kids. I did at least. I didn’t do crack, so maybe it worked.

Don’t Smoke – Star Wars PSA

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:40:39 +0000

One thing I’ve found about Star Wars commercials is that u get to peer into new behaviors of Star Wars characters that you don’t know from the movies. For instance, did you know that R2D2 was a dirty shameless smoker? And that C3P0 is a real buzzkill?

C3P0 explains to R2D2 that smoking does dreadful things to your lungs and is very bad for your health. Who woulda thought?

Don’t Drink and Drive – A Star Wars Special

Best Old TV Commercials — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:29:35 +0000

Through the 80’s at the height of Star Wars popularity, George Lucas not only touted his trademarks through every marketable venue possible, stamping C3P0 and the Millenium Falcon on every childrens toy and food product, but also to provide lessons on a moral, responsible life. For instance, drinking and driving.

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.