Five 30-Second Radio Ad Script Examples (With Recorded Spots for Comparison)

30-second radio ad script samples, Radio Commercials

Looking for 30-second radio ad script samples? Here are five 30-second scripts from my radio advertising portfolio, along with recorded spots for comparison. Hi. I’m Walt Jaschek, and I’ve been writing radio ad scripts for 40 years, which is amazing, considering I’m only 30 years old.

This site has many radio commercials, often funny, sometimes award-winning. There are 15 of them here: both 60-second and 30-second examples.

Culled from those are the below 30-second spots, so you can see and hear how I, as the writer, communicated to the reader (and producer) how the spot should “sound.” A radio spot is really only as good as the script. And the actors. And the producer. And the director. And clients courageous enough to do something beyond the boring ordinary.

Enjoy.

30-second radio ad script, with recorded spot: “Phosphorus and Magnesium” For “Big Bang Theory.”

“Magnesium and Phosphorus” (AKA “Sheldon’s Burns”)
30-Second Radio Ad Script
For: “The Big Bang Theory”
Writer: Walt Jaschek

ANNOUNCER: Magnesum burns at 2,474 degrees Kelvin.

SOUND FX: CHERMICAL BURNING IN A LAB

ANNOUNCER: Phosphorus burns at 3,333 degrees Kelvin.

SOUND FX: CHERMICAL BURNING IN A LAB

ANNOUNCER: And Sheldon Cooper burns… five nights a week.

SHELDON COOPER: You bowl like your Mama… unless of course she bowls well… in which you bowl nothing like her!

ANNOUNCER: Ouch! On The Big Bang Theory, you draw Sheldon’s fire… you’re gonna get burned!

SHELDON COOPER: That’s what I call a burn on you!

MUSIC: BIg Bang theme, under

ANNOUNCER: The Big Bang Theory. Five nights a week.

[:05 local TV station tag]

30-second radio ad script, with recorded spot: “I’m Shaving My Head!” For “Star: Trek the Next Generation.”

Listen and compare the finished spot to the script.

“I’m Shaving My Head!”
30-Second Radio Ad Script
For: “Star Trek: the Next Generation”
Writer: Walt Jaschek

MUSIC: STAR TREK THEME MUSIC, UNDER

ANNOUNCER: All over Miami, they’re shaving their heads!

YOUNG MAN (enthusiastically): I’m shaving my head!

SOUND FX: ELECTRIC HAIR CLIPPERS, MOVING FROM LEFT STEREO CHANNEL TO RIGHT

ANNOUNCER: Throughout the entire Channel 6 viewing area, they’re shaving their heads!

YOUNG WOMAN (enthusiastically): I’m shaving my head!

SOUND FX: ELECTRIC HAIR CLIPPERS, MOVING FROM LEFT STEREO CHANNEL TO RIGHT

ANNOUNCER: They’re going for… The Jean-Luc Look!

YOUNG COUPLE (simultaneously): We’re shaving our heads!

SOUND FX: ELECTRIC HAIR CLIPPERS, MOVING FROM LEFT STEREO CHANNEL TO RIGHT

ANNOUNCER: Like Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the bold, bald head of “Star Trek: the Next Generation,” weekdays at four on Channell Six. Get the look!

OLD, FUNNY GEEZER GUY (enthusiastically): I’m shavin’ my head!

ANNOUNCER: The Jean-Luc Look! On “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Weekdays at four on Channel 6.

MUSIC: THEME MUSIC CONCLUDES WITH A FLOURISH

30-second radio ad script sample, with recorded spot: “Millions of Americans,” public service announcement for The American Optometric Association

Listen to the spot and compare it to the script.

30-Second Radio Ad Script
“Millions of Americans”
For: American Optometric Association
Writer: Walt Jaschek

ANNOUNCER: We have with us in the studio millions of Americans. Millions, welcome.

HUGE THRONG (multiple layered voices, as if a “million” people were speaking simultaneously): NICE TO BE HERE.

ANNOUNCER: We’re asking millions of Americans to get their children’s eyes examined once a year.

HUGE THRONG: ONCE A YEAR?

ANNOUNCER: Right! All in favor of annual eye exams for children three and up, say “Aye!”

HUGE THRONG: AYE!

ANNOUNCER: Say, “Eye care means you care.”

HUGE THRONG: “EYE CARE MEANS YOU CARE.”

ANNOUNCER: Say, “Sally sells sea shells by the seashore.”

HUGE THRONG: SALLY SHELLS SHE SELLS…

ANNOUNCER: Gotcha!

HUGE THRONG (sheepish): …BY THE SHE-SORE.

ANNOUNCER: A public service message from the American Optometric Association.

30-second radio ad script sample, with recorded spot: “Vibrating Water Bed” for “Jeopardy Tournament of Champions”

Listen to the recorded spot and compare it to the script.

30-Second Radio Ad Script
Title: “Vibrating Water Bed”
For: Jeopardy
Writer: Walt Jaschek

LAVERNE (seductively): Oh, Larry…

LARRY: I’m watching Jeopardy, LaVerne.

LAVERNE: It’s our honeymoon…

LARRY: All this week, it’s the first round of the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions!

LAVERNE: We have this waterbed…

LARRY: This is primo Jeopardy action! The champ wins a hundred grand!

SOUND FX: Vibrating water bed is turned on.

LAVERNE (her voice vibrating, too): It’s a vibrating water bed…

LARRY: Sorry, LaVerne! The Tournament of Champions!

LAVERNE (resigned, but her voice still vibrating): Okay..ay..ay..

MUSIC: END OF “JEOPARDY” THEME, UNDER

ANNOUNCER: Jeopardy. Any questions?

LAVERNE (her voice still vibrating): Yeah! How do you turn this thing off?

JEOPARDY THEME CONCLUDES.

30-second radio ad script sample, with recorded spot: “Put Your Tongue on the Radio” for “Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels”

Listen to the finished spot and compare it to the script.

30-Second Radio Ad Script
Title: “Put Your Tongue On the Radio”
For: Gene Simmons Family Jewels
Writer: Walt Jaschek

ANNOUNCER: Put your tongue on the radio. (beat) Wait, that might be a little tingly. Ahem. Don’t put your tongue on the radio. But do stick your tongue out. That’s right. Keep going. There. Good. Wow, you have a long tongue! Congrats! But it’s all relative, baby, because, sorry, you have a teeny-weenie tongue compared to…

GENE SIMMONS: I’m Gene Simmons. Rock God.

SFX: CROWD CHEERS

MUSIC: ROCK KICKS IN

ANNOUNCER: It’s the rock-meets-reality show that licks ‘em all! Gene Simmons Family Jewels – Season 2 premiere! Starring the man who has more talent than you can shake a tongue at.

GENE SIMMONS: Precisely.

ANNOUNCER: Gene Simmons Family Jewels. A&E Sunday. Oh:

MUSIC: OUT

ANNOUNCER: Please put your tongue back in. The guy is the van is staring.

Did you find these scripts helpful and/or informative? Please leave a comment below! Thanks.

“Beat-Yourself-Up Hotline” | Funny Radio Commercial & Good Copywriting Example

Copywriting Examples, Humor Writing, Radio Commercials

“Beat-Yourself-Up Hotline” is a 60-second, funny radio commercial, written by Walt Jaschek and produced by Paul Fey for Smartship.com. It stars Stewart Sloke as a caller to the hotline; turns out he’s very, very good at beating himself up. This spot also provides a good copywriting example; the script is below the video. Listen and enjoy.

Can you beat yourself up as well as THIS guy?

“Beat-Yourself-Up Hotline” | :60 Radio | Script by Walt Jaschek

HOTLINE WORKER: Beat-Yourself-Up Hotline.

CALLER: Is this Beat-Yourself-Up Hotline?

HOTLINE WORKER: Yes sir, if you’d like to beat yourself up, this is the place to do it.

CALLER: Okay, I’d like to beat myself up now, please.

HOTLINE WORKER: Go right ahead when you’re ready.

CALLER: [Ahem.] I am so stupid. I can’t believe how stupid I am. What an idiot. I left all my holiday shipping until the last minute again. Now it’s a huge hassle. Why do I have to do this to myself every year? When, oh when, will I learn?

HOTLINE WORKER (genuinely impressed): You beat yourself up very well sir.

CALLER: Thanks.

HOTLINE WORKER: But maybe you should just go to smartship.com.

CALLER: Smartship.com?

HOTLINE WORKER: Right. Type in your zip code, and smartship.com tells you the fastest, easiest, most affordable ways to do your holiday shipping, even at the last minute.

CALLER: Wow. Smartship.com

HOTLINE WORKER:Mmm-hmm.

CALLER: Why didn’t I like of that?

HOTLINE WORKER: Well…

CALLER: Why do I have to have somebody else tell me what to do?

HOTLINE WORKER: Sir…

CALLER: When, oh when, will I ever have an original idea?

HOTLINE WORKER: You are really good at this, sir.

CALLER: I’ve been told it’s a gift.

ANNOUNCER: Smartship.com. The way smart shipping is done.

Listen to our entire playlist of funny radio commercials on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, “Good Copywriting Tips and Examples.”

“Viva La Volvo” | Funny Radio Commercial and Good Copywriting Example (Spot and Script Included)

Humor Writing, Radio Commercials

“Viva La Volvo” is a 60-second radio commercial written by Walt Jaschek and produced by Paul Fey for the Southern California Dealers Association, and amusingly depicts a woman’s love and obsession with her Volvo. The spot won many ad industry awards and serves as a good example of funny radio copywriting. The production technique, energetic music cutting in and out of one-liners, has served Paul and Walt well over the years. Take a listen.

“Viva La Volvo” Script by Walt Jaschek

MUSIC: HORNS AND DRUM UP, SUDDENLY OUT

ELLEN: Friend of mine said he wanted to talk to me about my Volvo. I said, “Thank you — that’s between me and my gynocologist.”

MUSIC: HORNS AND DRUM UP, SUDDENLY OUT

ELLEN: He said, “No, no, your car — your Volvo 850 Turbo Sportswagon.” I said, “Oh, that. No, you can’t drive it.”

MUSIC: HORNS AND DRUM UP, SUDDENLY OUT

ELLEN: Oh, I love my Volvo. Sure, it’s safe, but, gee, just because driving on the freeways of Southern California is the equivalent of playing bumper cars at the speed of light, what kind of reason is that?

MUSIC: HORNS AND DRUM UP, SUDDENLY OUT

ELLEN: Volvos are still ultra-luxury imports. Sleek and gorgeous and loaded to here. Safe and sexy and… (BEAT) pardon me, I have to go hug my car now.

MUSIC: HORNS AND DRUM UP, UNDER

ANNOUNCER: Want safe AND sexy? Viva La Volvo! Test drive a Volvo at your Southern California Volvo dealer.

MUSIC: HORNS AND DRUM UP, SUDDENLY OUT

ELLEN: “Since when is safe sexy?,” another friend asked. “Hey,” I said, “what decade are YOU living in?”

MUSIC: HORNS AND DRUM RESOLVE INTO FINISH

Listen to our entire playlist of funny radio commercials on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, “Great Copywriting Tips and Examples.”

“Robert Goulet” | Funny Radio Commercial for “The Simpsons” | Good Copywriting Example.

Collaborators, Radio Commercials, TV Promotion

The late Robert Goulet, acclaimed American singer and actor, provides his golden voice to this funny radio commercial for “The Simpsons” TV series. The spot, titled after the singer himself, was written by Walt Jaschek, produced and directed by Paul Fey, for Fox Television and when the show was first launched into national syndication. The campaign of which it was part is now considered the most successful launch of a show in syndication history. Ready to hear the spot? Great. And now: Robert Goulet…

This is also a good copywriting example. Here’s the script.

“Robert Goulet” | :60 radio commercial for “The Simpsons” | Script developed by Walt Jaschek

ANNOUNCER: And now, mister Robert Goulet reads from “The Writings of Bart,” the collected, after-school blackboard writings of young Bart Simpson. Mister Goulet.

SFX: CLASSICAL MUSIC, UNDER

ROBERT GOULET: I will not trade pants with others.

I will not do that thing with my tongue.

I will not Xerox my butt.

A burp is not an answer.

I will not pledge allegiance to Bart.

I will not eat things for money.

I will not bring sheep to class.

I will not instigate revolution.

My name is not Doctor Death.

ANNOUNCER: To experience all of Bart’s after-school blackboard writings, watch every classic episode of The Simpsons.

ROBERT GOULET: I will not call the principal, “Spud Head.”

ANNOUNCER: The Simpsons. Now five times a week.

MUSIC UP AND OUT

Listen to our entire playlist of funny radio commercials on YouTube.

Subscribe to Walt’s YouTube channel.

“Missing Persons” | Funny, Clio-Award-Winning Radio Ad for “Matlock” (Good Copywriting Example)

Award-Winning, Copywriting Examples, Humor Writing, Radio Commercials

“Missing Persons” is a funny radio commercial created by Paul & Walt Worldwide for the syndicated run of the TV series “Matlock” starring Andy Griffith. This spot, written by Walt Jaschek, produced and directed by Paul Fey, garnered many ad industry awards, including the Clio Award for “Best Radio Copywriting.” It stars voice talent Tom Poston and Harvey Atkin.

Click and enjoy!

It’s also a good copywriting example. Here’s the script.

“Missing Persons”
:60 Radio
Script by Walt Jaschek

SFX: Telephone ring, followed by phone pick-up

TOUGH-TALKING COP: Missing Persons.

GOOFY GUY (phone filtered:) Missing Persons?

COP: Missing Persons.

GOOFY GUY: My wife is missing.

COP: Your wife is missing?

GOOFY GUY: My wife is missing.

COP: When did you last see her, sir?

GOOFY GUY: Four o’clock.

COP: Four o’clock?

GOOFY GUY: Four o’clock.

COP: Uh, where’s your TV, sir?

GOOFY GUY: The bedroom.

COP: Have you checked IN the bedroom, sir?

GOOFY GUY: No.

COP: She’s probably watching “Matlock!”

GOOFY GUY: “Matlock” is on at four o’clock?

STERN COP: Every weekday at four on Channel Two. Go check your bedroom, sir. I’ll wait.

GOOFY GUY: Okay.

[LONG SOUND FX STRETCH: Goofy guys puts down the phone. He walks down a hallway. He opens the bedroom door. We hear a few seconds of Matlock (“Your honor, I…”) The goofy guy closes the bedroom door. He walks back down the hallway. He picks up the phone.]

GOOFY GUY: Hello?

COP: I’m here.

GOOFY GUY: She’s watching “Matlock!”

COP: I thought so.

GOOFY GUY: I didn’t know “Matlock” was on at four o’clock.

COP: Every weekday at four on Channel Two.

GOOFY GUY: She really likes Andy Griffith!

COP: Of course she does.

GOOFY GUY: She was so busy watching “Matlock” that she forgot to tell me where she was!

COP: Tell her I understand.

GOOFY GUY: Okay.

SFX: The goofy guy puts down phone, walks down hallway again.

COP: Wait! I didn’t mean now! Sir? Sir?

SFX: Goofy guy opens bedroom door. Matlock is still playing.

GOOFY GUY: Hey! My favorite episode!

ANNOUNCER: “Matlock.” Weekdays at four on Channel Two. Because there’s nothing like a good mystery!

COP: I’m hanging up now sir. Sir?

Listen to our entire playlist of funny radio commercials on YouTube.

Subscribe to Walt’s YouTube channel.

“The Ballad of Judge Wapner” | Funny Radio Commercial for “The People’s Court” | Good Copywriting Example

Humor Writing, Music, Radio Commercials

Funny Radio Commercial for King World and “The People’s Court | Writer: Walt Jaschek | Producer and Director: Paul Fey | Music by Mathews Griffith

The late Judge Wapner ruled on “The People’s Court.” This funny radio commercial for the King World syndicated TV show, produced by agency Paul & Walt Worldwide, honored the Judge’s commanding presence in the form of a mock, country-western-style “ballad.” It’s also a good copywriting example; here’s the script.

“The Ballad of Judge Wapner”
Lyrics by Walt Jaschek

MUSIC: COWBOY BALLAD-STYLE, UNDER

COWBOY: He sits in judgment / He stands for the law / Kinda looks like a hero / And sounds like your Pa

BACK-UP SINGERS: WAPNER!

MUSIC: HARMONICA WAILS

COWBOY: He smiles and he laughs / His voice tinged with gravel / But the bad-guys just gasp / When he bangs his big gavel

BACK-UP SINGERS: WAPNER!

COWBOY: Judge Wapner.

BACK-UP SINGERS: JUDGE WAPNER!

MUSIC: HARMONICA WAILS

COWBOY: When neighbors brawl / When lovers refute / When suppliers and buyers and liars dispute / Wapner won’t let those lawbooks get dusty / Got a buddy named Doug / And a sidekick named Rusty

BACK-UP SINGERS: RUSTY!

COWBOY: With Wapner.

BACK-UP SINGERS: JUDGE WAPNER!

MUSIC: HARMONICA WAILS

COWBOY: Doesn’t do it from towers / Doesn’t do it from steeples / He does it in court / A court called “People’s”

BACK-UP SINGERS: WAPNER!

COWBOY: “People’s Court.”

BACK-UP SINGERS: JUDGE WAPNER!

COWBOY: Call him “Your Honor.”

COWBOY: JUDGE WAPNER!

MUSIC: HARMONICA WAILS, UNDER

ANNOUNCER: Judge Wapner RULES… on “The People’s Court.”

COWBOY: Song over.

BACK-UP SINGERS: SONG OVER!

MUSIC: HARMONICA WAILS AND FADES OUT

Walt Jaschek home | Walt Jaschek contact
YouTube playlist of our other funny, award-winning radio commercials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list…

“Star-In-Your-Own Radio Commercial” | Funny Spot for Budweiser Long-Necks

Concepting and Copywriting, Humor Writing, Radio Commercials

Here’s the version of the spot we did for men. We also did a version for women. Will find that and post soon!.

Guys! Have you ever wanted to star in your own beer commercial? Well, now you can, thanks to this Budweiser radio spot that will “cue” you to say *YOUR NAME* during a very romantic scenario. So open a couple of long-necks and enjoy your “date” with a woman who is, evidently, “both a neurosurgeon AND a swimwear model.” We think you’ll do very well in your first commercial! Let us know how it goes.

Writer: Walt Jaschek | Producer/Director: Paul Fey | Agency: Paul & Walt Worldwide

Listen to our full playlist of funny radio commercials on You Tube.
Subscribe to Walt’s YouTube channel.

“Laugh Catalog” | Funny Radio Spot | Clio-Winner and Good Copywriting Example

Award-Winning, Humor Writing, Radio Commercials

Try not to laugh at this funny radio commercial, especially the final few seconds.

One of the first radio collaborations between Walt Jaschek and Paul Fey was this Clio-award-winning (“Best Use of Sound”) spot for George Schlatter’s Comedy Club, a King World TV series showcasing stand-up comics. When tasked with promoting the upcoming premiere, the duo had no access to clips. “Got no options, got no problems,” they said. No existing content freed them from using clips, and pushed their thinking. “What’s the real, human benefit of this kind of show?,” they asked, and came up with an answer: laughing out loud. The idea for “cataloging” types of laughter was born during a brainstorm on Walt’s front porch, but turning it into great audio fell to producer/director Paul, engineer Bill Schulenburg, and some very funny laughers from the L.A. talent pool. Tip: listen ’til the end.

Enjoy our entire playlist of funny radio commercials on YouTube.

Check out Walt’s Laugh Your Ads Off merchandise!

This commercial is also a good copywriting example. Here’s the script by Walt Jaschek.

“Robert Goulet” | :60 Radio for the Simpsons.

ANNOUNCER: And now, mister Robert Goulet reads from “The Writings of Bart,” the collected, after-school blackboard writings of young Bart Simpson. Mister Goulet.

SFX: CLASSICAL MUSIC, UNDER

ROBERT GOULET: I will not trade pants with others.

I will not do that thing with my tongue.

I will not Xerox my butt.

A burp is not an answer.

I will not pledge allegiance to Bart.

I will not eat things for money. I will not bring sheep to class. I will not instigate revolution. My name is not Doctor Death.

ANNOUNCER: To experience all of Bart’s after-school blackboard writings, watch every classic episode of The Simpsons.

ROBERT GOULET: I will not call the principal, “Spud Head.”

ANNOUNCER: The Simpsons. Now five times a week.

MUSIC UP AND OUT

“I’m Shaving My Head!” Jean-Luc Picard Featured in Funny TV and Radio Spots for Star Trek: The Next Generation

Radio Commercials, Television Commercials, TV Promotion

Get the look! The Jean-Luc look! Named for Jean-Luc Picard, the bold, bald head of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Here’s are a funny, 1990s-era TV spot and radio spot for the syndicated run of the beloved TV series, part of a promotion campaign commissioned by and aired on WCIX-TV, Channel 6 in Miami. Writer: Walt Jaschek. Producer: Paul Fey.

“I’m Shaving My Head”: TV spot.

“I’m Shaving My Head” radio spot.

Enjoy our full list of funny radio commercials on YouTube!

30-second radio ad script, with recorded spot: “Phosphorus and Magnesium” For “Big Bang Theory.”

30-second radio ad script, with recorded spot: “I’m Shaving My Head!” For “Star: Trek the Next Generation.”

30-second radio ad script sample, with recorded spot: “Millions of Americans,” public service announcement for The American Optometric Association

30-second radio ad script sample, with recorded spot: “Vibrating Water Bed” for “Jeopardy Tournament of Champions”

30-second radio ad script sample, with recorded spot: “Put Your Tongue on the Radio” for “Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels”

Did you find these scripts helpful and/or informative? Please leave a comment below! Thanks.

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“Missing Persons”:60 RadioScript by Walt Jaschek

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“Missing Persons”
:60 Radio
Script by Walt Jaschek