The "Fried Egg" Story
The Partnership's famous tagline This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs is the most widely-shown TV message of any created by the Partnership for Drug-Free America in its 20-year history. The initial
“Fried Egg’s” sharp message earned the Partnership a great deal of recognition, as well as many honors and awards.
 and lasting response to this message has been incredible, as it delivers a simple yet strong anti-drug message that has been embraced by the public and turned into the slogan for the drug prevention movement.

In the mid-1980s, attitudes regarding drug use evolved from “acceptable and harmless” to “addictive and dangerous.” In 1987, the “Fried Egg” TV message exploded into popular culture to catalyze a developing social perception, and reinforce the new belief that drugs were a growing problem in our country.

“Fried Egg’s” sharp message earned the Partnership a great deal of recognition, as well as many honors and awards. This spot can now be seen in the Museum of Television Broadcasting and the Smithsonian. More than any other single TV message, the “Fried Egg” put the Partnership -- and its mission -- in the public eye.

The “Fried Egg” TV message was so popular that it was satirized and spoofed on T-shirts, records labels, posters, and even on Saturday Night Live. A decade later in 1997, an updated version (this one focusing on the dangers of snorting heroin) was created with actress Rachel Leigh Cook.


*Fun Facts About the “Fried Egg” TV Message*

• While most remember the “Fried Egg” tagline as “This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?” The line that actually aired on television was, “This is your brain. This is drugs. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”

• On the hit TV show “Beverly Hills, 90210” an entire episode was created around a character’s problem with drugs, ending with Brandon (Jason Priestly) and his sister Brenda (Shannon Dougherty) acting out the Partnership’s commercial with their friends in their favorite diner. After the show, the actual 30-second commercial aired, and Jason Priestly delivered his own anti-drug message on air.

• The television show “Roseanne” also aired an episode where Roseanne reenacts the “Fried Egg” message while having a conversation with one of her children about drugs.

• The Egg Association had an issue with the “Fried Egg” TV message because they didn’t want their product associated with the unhealthiness of drug use. They worried that young children might misinterpret the TV message and think that eggs were “bad.”

• When the original idea for the “Fried Egg” spot was presented to the Partnership’s Creative Review Committee, it received mix reviews. It wasn’t until the voiceover and “sizzle” sound effects were added that it came to life and was truly appreciated!


If you know of any other spoofs, parodies or references to our famous “Fried Egg” message, please email us.

The Partnership for Drug-Free America strives to inspire parents and other family influencers to connect with their kids in ways that persuade them not to use drugs. Our research has shown that teens who report learning a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to half as likely to use drugs as those who don’t. The Partnership provides necessar information and resources to help generate greater parent-child connection and communication about the risks of drugs and the benefits of healthy, drug-free living. We also offer help for problems with teen substance abuse. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a substance abuse problem please visit the Partnership’s award-winning site www.InterveneNow.org.