The Best PSA Commercials of Our Generation

If you were a product of the 80s then chances are you've lived and seen the best PSA commercials to ever grace television. Now don’t get me wrong, most of these commercials looked like a half assed film school project but for some reason they receded permanently into the depths of my mind.

Maybe it was the message or how they told it, but they always found a way to inform us about the dangers of the world. I pity the new generation who has to grow up watching commercial breaks featuring “Real Housewives” throwing fine china at each other. Don’t you miss the good ol’ days when you watch a show and you got a positive message out of it?

 For instance Saved by the Bell did an episode on drug use where after the show the whole cast stood together and said “Remember kids dope is for dopes.”  Every episode of Full House rectified a problem with one of Danny Tanners famous words of wisdom (His words were meant for us, the viewer, not Michelle).

This is what made us so awesome. Do you think we turned out great because of good parenting and school? Get a grip. I'm here to show you six memorable public service announcements that will take you on a trip down memory lane. 

Astar (The War Amp PSA)

“I am Astar, I live on planet Danger” Remember this careless idiot who felt the need to jump through a gauntlet of spinning blades and loose electrical wires? I’m going to be honest here and say that I thought about doing some crazy stuff because I saw Astar do it, but when his arm get sawed off shit got real. Now you might be thinking “Why the hell do you want to live on planet Danger?” Well besides the fact its lovely in the summer time, Astar proudly mentions “I can put my arm back on. You can’t”. That bold statement sucked the invincibility right out of my body and made me look both ways crossing the street ever since.

He’s My Brother (Drug  PSA)

Time to bust out the Kleenex. This powerful drug PSA was so memorable because the acting was surprisingly good for a 90’s ad. It featured someone who hit rock bottom and reminisced about seeing his brother who was always there for him. He decided to take a stroll down the hospital corridor and guess who he runs into? His brother! Keep in mind that they got that song by The Hollies playing in the background which made it even more of a tear jerker. At the end the inevitable depressing voice chimes in “If you try and stop a friend from using drugs, you may not succeed. But at least you tried and that’s what friends are for”. To this day I find this inspiring because they're telling you, even though you think there’s no hope for your friend you owe it to them to try.

Louie the Lightning Bug (Electricity PSA)

We all remember this shiny pest who floated through our T.V. sets during Fresh Prince. His advice was always well received in the form of a catchy jingle. My favorite one was the one about playing it cool around cords. To this day when I watch this commercial and that creepy jazz spider swings by I laugh every time. What was Louie’s advice? Don’t pull cords by the actual cord. What? So to this day you mean to tell me that I've been pulling cords out entirely wrong? My whole life is a lie, how have I made it this far alive?

Peewee Herman (Drug PSA)

I don’t know what’s funnier about this PSA; the fact that Peewee’s sitting in a dark room holding crack or the sheer irony of him teaching us not to do drugs. I mean come on! Have you seen Peewee’s Playhouse? He has a giant talking chair, a floating angry puppet, a dancing robot and a giant sphinx on top of his house with a uni-brow. If that doesn’t scream hallucinogens then I don’t know what does. The actor who played Peewee (Paul Reubens) was charged with indecent exposure at a pornographic theater and later charged with possession of marijuana. He was forced as a condition of his sentence to create a PSA.

Kids Finding a Needle (Finding a Needle PSA)

Well that escalated quickly. These kids had a slight over reaction when they came across a needle. Where I’m from when you spot a needle you walk over it and continue your conversation. They took it upon themselves to dart across the city on foot screaming about the dangers of needles before stopping and sending the guy with a skateboard to guard the HIV infested needle. This is why we need video games people! So your kids aren’t outside defending dirty needles.  

Stranger Danger! (Pedophile PSA)

This was such a funny PSA to me even as a kid because it was so ridiculous. Watching it today, I honestly believe they used a few real pedophiles in this commercial. Skip to 0:25 and witness one for yourself. That guy played the creep a little too well and seemed way too comfortable hitting on a little boy. The message of this PSA is clear. Trust nobody. If someone needs a helping hand, turn around and run the other way really, really fast.

I find it troubling we don’t have more cheesy PSA’s today, maybe if we did then kids wouldn't be out huffing bath salts and eating the faces off their peers. On second thought they probably would but at least they would do it knowing Peewee Herman’s disappointed in them. If you have any commercials you feel deserve an honorable mention please post in the comments below!