Bootleg Betty
Video: Bette Midler, The Thrill Can Kill PSA
By Mister D
July 12, 2025
Bette Midler participated in “The Thrill Can Kill,” an anti-drug campaign by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, running from 1987 to 1990. The campaign featured public service announcements (PSAs) shown in movie theaters, with celebrities like Midler delivering stark warnings about the dangers of drugs, particularly crack cocaine. In her PSA, Midler speaks directly to the audience, urging them to reject drug offers, saying, “If anyone offers you some… tell them where to shove it… Please… Don’t even try it… Because you lose!” The spots, ranging from 38 to 90 seconds, were supported by First Lady Nancy Reagan and funded by the MPAA studios. The campaign debuted with the 1987 release of Jaws: The Revenge.
