Public Service Announcements

Public Service Announcement (PSA)

Quincy endorses the genuine article!

A **Public Service Announcement** (PSA) is a message created to inform, educate, or promote public welfare. PSAs are typically broadcast or printed free of charge by the media and are designed to address important societal issues, public health concerns, or government initiatives. These announcements often feature community-based messages that raise awareness on various topics such as safety, health, and charitable causes.

PSAs are intended to reach a broad audience and can be aired during commercial breaks or printed in newspapers. Their primary goal is to provide useful information that benefits society, rather than promoting a commercial product or service.

History and Purpose of PSAs

The concept of PSAs began in the early 20th century, when governments and organizations recognized the power of mass media in shaping public behavior. Through radio and television, PSAs became a powerful tool for public outreach. Early examples include health-related messages during wartime and efforts to promote safety standards.

In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has encouraged broadcasters to air PSAs as part of their public service obligations. As a result, television networks, radio stations, and print media have been key players in disseminating these messages to the public.

Quincy, M.E. and U.S. Savings Bonds PSA

In the late 1970s, the Quincy, M.E. television series participated in a Public Service Announcement campaign to promote the purchase of U.S. Savings Bonds. This campaign was part of a larger initiative by the U.S. government to encourage American citizens to invest in government-backed securities as a way to support national economic stability.

Quincy, M.E., known for its socially conscious themes, was a perfect fit for this type of campaign. The series, which aired from 1976 to 1983, had a strong following and was respected for its commitment to addressing important issues of the time. In the late '70s, the U.S. government sought to boost its Savings Bond sales as part of a broader effort to raise funds for various national initiatives, and Quincy, M.E. was one of several television shows to participate in this effort.

The PSA featured Dr. R. Quincy, the series' main character, portrayed by Jack Klugman, delivering a heartfelt message about the importance of U.S. Savings Bonds and their role in supporting the country’s economy. The inclusion of a popular and relatable character like Dr. Quincy, who was trusted by viewers for his intellectual authority and integrity, helped lend credibility to the campaign.

PSAs External of the Quincy, M.E. TV Show and Those Embedded Within the Storyline

While the U.S. Savings Bonds spot is the best-known example, Jack Klugman and the Quincy, M.E. franchise were involved in several other PSA efforts—both externally produced and woven directly into the show’s plotlines.

External Campaigns

Outside of the scripted episodes, Jack Klugman lent his character's moral authority to additional national campaigns:

• **Anti-smoking PSAs** – Klugman addressed the dangers of tobacco, particularly after the Surgeon General reports gained national attention.
• **Organ donation PSAs** – These spots, sometimes co-sponsored by medical associations, helped raise awareness and were often paired with organ donation-themed episodes.
• **Public health service messages** – Quincy appeared in clips promoting preventative care, vaccinations, and youth outreach.

These appearances served to extend the character's influence from television fiction into the real world, leveraging his cultural credibility for public good.

Embedded Messages

Many episodes of Quincy, M.E. were structured like dramatized PSAs. Often, episodes would build toward a climactic speech from Quincy urging social reform, and some even included onscreen contact information or post-episode appeals.

Examples include:

• Let Me Light the Way (Quincy, M.E.) – Addressing drunk driving and featuring a direct appeal to support DUI law reform.
• Give Me Your Weak (Quincy, M.E.) – Focused on nursing home abuses and elder neglect, functioning as a PSA on elder rights.
• Seldom Silent, Never Heard (Quincy, M.E.) – Advocating for fair treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities, an issue rarely depicted in prime time at the time.

Viewing the PSA

The Quincy, M.E. PSA promoting U.S. Savings Bonds can be found on [eBay: Quincy, M.E. A Bet On The Right Team (VHS)](https://www.ebay.com/itm/305854574752). This one-off release, produced for Universal, features Jack Klugman as Dr. Quincy delivering the PSA, which aired in the late 1970s in support of U.S. Savings Bonds. The condition of the VHS is described as very good, with minimal wear and no skipping or damage. It is available for purchase and viewing.

Impact of the Campaign

The success of the U.S. Savings Bond PSA campaign was attributed to the widespread participation of popular television programs like Quincy, M.E.. By enlisting characters from well-known TV shows, the government was able to reach a diverse and large audience. Viewers were more likely to engage with the message, as the characters they trusted and admired were actively encouraging them to make a positive financial decision for both themselves and the nation.

Television studios, including those behind Quincy, M.E., provided the PSA as a community service. The campaign was seen as an important contribution by the entertainment industry to the national good, reflecting a spirit of collaboration between media companies and the government. It also highlighted the role of television as a tool for civic engagement, using its broad appeal to further causes that benefitted the public.

The initiative was considered a success, as it not only raised awareness about U.S. Savings Bonds but also positively influenced their purchase during a time when such investments were encouraged as a means of supporting national growth and stability.

Legacy of the Quincy, M.E. PSA

The Quincy, M.E. PSA for U.S. Savings Bonds is remembered as an example of how television shows can influence real-world outcomes. The campaign helped cement the role of television in promoting public service messages, a tradition that continues today with various modern PSAs focused on health, safety, and social responsibility.

Quincy, M.E.'s participation in this campaign also exemplified the show's broader commitment to addressing social issues and promoting community involvement. The success of the PSA further demonstrated the power of entertainment media to support government and societal initiatives.

Public Service Storylines Within the Series

Beyond external PSAs, Quincy, M.E. pioneered the use of fiction to deliver strong public service messages through its episodes. Rather than merely dramatize crime cases, the show often used its plotlines as vehicles for education and activism.

Notable examples include:

• Next Stop, Nowhere (Quincy, M.E.) – A sharp critique of youth drug culture and lack of parental oversight, accompanied by youth outreach campaigns.
• Dead and Alive (Quincy, M.E.) – Focused on the tragedy of missing children and weaknesses in police procedures.
• No Way to Treat a Body (Quincy, M.E.) – An early episode used to call attention to the unregulated nature of coroner offices and advocate for forensic standards.

These stories were not isolated; many episodes ended with Quincy giving a monologue directly challenging public officials or society at large, blending narrative closure with real-world moral urgency.

The Quincy Examiner and Modern Legacy

In recent years, renewed interest in the cultural and political legacy of Quincy, M.E. has been fostered by fan-led archives such as The Quincy Examiner. This platform has become a critical resource for:

• Collecting and cataloging all public service-related episodes and PSAs.
• Documenting the show's influence on health policy, forensic science, and disability rights.
• Serving as a research base for students, historians, and media scholars.

Through the work of the Quincy Examiner, the show’s impact has been preserved and extended into academic and activist spaces. The Examiner also tracks rare media appearances, including off-air interviews where Klugman spoke about his character’s activism and the show’s influence on public discourse.

Relevant Episode

The Quincy, M.E. episode related to this PSA is titled "A Bet On The Right Team (Quincy, M.E.)". This episode was aired during the late 1970s and is one of several where Quincy, M.E. used its platform to address important societal messages.

See Also

• Public Service Announcement
• Quincy, M.E.
• U.S. Savings Bonds
• Social impact of television
• Television and public service

External Links

• [U.S. Savings Bond Campaign History](https://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/products/prod_ssb.htm)
• [Quincy, M.E. at IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074042/)