The John Clay Wolfe Show – Archive Episode: "World War Sale"

Date: October 18, 2025
Host: John Clay Wolfe
Featured Crew: Tony, DJ Pre K, and others

Episode Overview

This archive episode takes listeners on a nostalgic ride through some of the John Clay Wolfe Show’s edgiest and most controversial moments in radio advertising. The crew reminisces about their bold marketing experiments, including an infamous Obama-era soundboard prank and a World War II-themed car sale, reflecting on the risks and repercussions that came with pushing boundaries on terrestrial radio.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Growing Pains and Risky Humor of Early Broadcasts

• Reminiscing About Early Days:
  The team discusses how the show's style and internal boundaries have evolved. John recalls, “There’s a time, you know, six or eight years ago when you would have just said what you were thinking” (01:15), highlighting their once reckless on-air spontaneity.

• Tony Confirms:
  Tony reflects on how he used to leave John to “explain for you” after something outrageous was said, emphasizing the unpredictability and shared responsibility during live shows.

2. The Obama Soundboard Incident

• Memorable On-air Gaffe:
  John describes a time involving an online Obama soundboard:
  • “One time, J.D. found this Obama... soundboard... and ran about three times the most obscene thing you’ve ever heard on public airwaves” (01:40).
  • Tony recalls how John would go red, stand up, and leave him to deal with the aftermath (01:49), with John quipping, “I blacked out for a minute” (01:54).

3. The "Obama Sale" Car Commercial

• Aggressive Advertising:
  Tony and DJ Pre K recall the bold Obama-themed car sale ad:
  • John: “Tony, you were talking about 'we’re going to get your trucks and give your best deal thousands of dollars off.' And every once in a while he would play a clip of me saying Obama.” (02:10)
  • The ad drew rapid attention but also attracted a warning from the station’s parent company, Cumulus: “But then Cumulus called me and said, don't do that.” (02:22)

4. The Infamous World War II Sale

• World War II Theme Gone Wrong:
  Tony explains a notorious marketing stunt involving Japanese import cars:
  • “I did a World War II sale, and I took red stickers, the circular stickers, and put them on the doors of all these Mitsubishis and Nissans...” (02:25)
  • “All the cars with Japanese zeros on the side windows were on sale for the World War II sale.” (02:34)
• Consequences of the Stunt:
  • John deadpans: “Didn't it look like Yokohama in 1943?” (02:48)
  • The stunt resulted in serious backlash:
    • Tony: “Man, they did not think that was funny.” (02:50)
    • Tony recounts a call from Lindy Park, a supportive colleague: “I always cover you, but I can’t do this one.” (02:56), showing even strong allies had limits.
    • John humorously details the fallout: “The Veterans Administration called us up. Nine of those old fellers had heart attacks. They heard the commercial.” (03:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wild Early Days:
  • John Clay Wolfe: “There’s a time, you know, six or eight years ago when you would have just said what you were thinking.” (01:15)
• On the Obama Soundboard:
  • John: “Ran about three times the most obscene thing you’ve ever heard on public airwaves.” (01:46)
• On Getting Shut Down:
  • Tony: “But then Cumulus called me and said, don’t do that.” (02:22)
• On Crossing the Line:
  • Tony: “I always cover you, but I can't do this one, man.” (02:56)
• On the Fallout:
  • John: “The Veterans Administration called us up. Nine of those old fellers had heart attacks. They heard the commercial.” (03:26)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:15] – Discussion of the show's earlier, unfiltered humor
• [01:40] – The Obama soundboard story
• [02:05] – Recollection of the “Obama Sale” ad
• [02:25] – The World War II sale concept and execution
• [02:56] – Backlash from colleagues and consequences
• [03:26] – John jokes about the reaction from Veterans Administration

Tone and Style

The episode is candid, irreverent, and self-deprecating. The crew looks back with a mix of pride and sheepishness, poking fun at their missteps while recognizing how much radio sensibilities—and their own—have changed.

Conclusion

This “World War Sale” archive episode provides classic John Clay Wolfe Show humor: brash, boundary-testing, and willing to call out its own misadventures. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories of marketing schemes gone awry, it’s a testament to the show’s enduring ability to entertain—always skirting the edge of what the radio world will tolerate.