Going WKRP On Five Hour Energy Ads

Sleaze Culture

An episode of WKRP In Cincinnati had DJ’s Dr. Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap attempting to drive an advertiser from the station.  The pair found the client objectionable because he sold non-narcotic energy pills over the counter with nifty ad copy that read ‘if you mood is black, these little beauties will pick you right up.’

Program director Andy Travis doesn’t see the harm in the ad and is lectured to by Venus with the memorable line ‘Andy real speed is gone because it killed everybody.  Even the junkies don’t want it back.’  Of course, after much hilarity and general wackiness, the DJ’s prevail and WRKP refuses to help this shopkeeper sell this legal speed.  American morality is once again saved on network television.

That was in the very early 1980’s.  In 2013, television both network and cable have no such scruples.

That was in the very early 1980’s.  In 2013, television both network and cable have no such scruples.

Crystal Methedrine addiction is a massive issue in the country at the moment.  The issue is so bad over the counter medication with Pseudoephedrine, a drug that can be used to cook up a homemade batch of Meth, must be signed for by those ‘adults’ over the age of majority.  Yet, with all this emphasis placed on eliminating amphetamine from the American narcotic diet, we allow synthetic variants to be pushed on anyone with a couple of bucks.

To quote Bunk Moreland: it makes me sick how done far we fell.