The worst part of being a soldier stationed overseas

[jmowreader]

The American Forces Radio and Television System owns TV stations and radio stations for the edification of Our Troops. They can't play real commercials, so they make their own...and they're fucking hideous.

Examples:

The "Hercules Power of Attorney";;;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mghxZzWVO7A

"Don't Pass Gas Grandpa"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=connRUHZ8r4&NR=1 (this is an antismoking commercial, not an antifarting one)

"Communicate with your Spouse while Deployed"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LemcePDZSxk&feature=related

"Take a Shower Instead of a Bath"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txXBYF6Hlj0&feature=related

"Wear Your Seat Belt"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrPMOyAhG0M&feature=related

"Keep Your Virginity"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2X3Le2uWIg&NR=1

"Unauthorized Software on Government Computers"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjJ6-3AeV5M&feature=related

I can't find the most hideous one, the Energy Rapper, but it's probably around here somewhere...

[Aristus]

1. I remember the PSA's on AFTV when I was stationed in Germany being pretty laughable.

OTOH, some of the military-produced original programming was kinda fun. Like "Gasthaus", an American program (nightly, I think, for a whole ten minutes) that spotlighted areas of interest in Germany and German culture that might appeal to American service personnel.

For a while, the hostess of Gasthaus was the daughter of an old family friend. That was kind of cool.

I'll never forget Air Force Sergeant Debbie Dubickie, who was a USAREUR AFTV news anchor. She was cute... B-)