The Annals of Advertising: Motel 6 tag line was ad-libbed; Tom Bodett actually does a podcast for the cut-rate motelery

Tom Bodett was building houses in Alaska and contributing humorous pieces to National Public Radio when an ad agency called him about doing commercials for Motel 6.

He ad libbed the line "We'll leave the light on for ya."

Now, 20 years later, the guy still does the ads, but has added a "podcast" for Motel 6 that people actually listen to for "fun."

I'm surprised how much play they get. Either we're very good or there are a lot of people out there in need of lives.

Bodett also says Motel 6 doesn't literally "leave the light on for ya."

Which underscores the basica truism that applies to all advertising -- IT'S A LIE.



[link]