With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Radio commercials we HATE!
()
Living in Southern California, the radio dial is fairly crammed with stations at every decimal point up and down the spectrum. Anyone who has ever tried to use one of those iPod FM transmitter devices can attest to that. Chances are you'll be competing with a station coming in loud and clear from Fresno, rendering your $39.95 gadget totally useless.
Because we have to many radio stations, we also have hundreds of radio commericals. Some clever, some trite, and some downright awful. These are the kind that make you want to drive off a bridge, tear your ears off, and scream the Star Spangled Banner at the top of your lungs in order to keep out all outside sound. And that's on a good day.
Topping the list of our least favorites are the godawful "Keyes, Keyes, Keyes, Keyes on Van Nuys" jingle, the "Call Power!" butchering of the Ghostbusters (which was a butchering of Huey Lewis) theme. But nothing, and I mean NOTHING can approach the totally horrific singular awfulness of Sit N Sleep. Whoever dreamt up this commercial needs to be shot. And then whoever had the genius idea to keep running them needs to have Larry Miller sit on them. For a long period of time. We would rather listen to 400 fingernails on a chalkboard than, "Or your mattress is FREEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Nothing makes us slap wildly at the radio buttons, just praying we can shut the damn thing off while we careen down the 101, threatening both life and limb, like this atrocity does.
Support for LAist comes from
Please, radio commercial programmer people of the U.S., spare us.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence.
Best of LAist