As Seen On TV!

Vince Offer and the Schticky

2012-01-19T15:35:00.002-06:00

Well it looks like Vince Offer is back. And things are about to get a little Schticky. Do you think the ShamWow guy only aligns himself with successful products, or do you think they are successful because he teams up with them? ShamWow and the Slap Chop were old, stale versions of shammy towels and food choppers yet he somehow brought them back to life in a HUGE way! The Sticky Wicky came out and was a flop, but with Vince on its side, The Schticky may be a huge success. And this infomercial also succesfully makes light of Vince's infamous mug shot. He looks his best in this one, which if good since his last one wasn't so pretty.

GermBloc

2011-11-14T12:11:00.000-06:00

Whenever I go on a road trip, gas station bathrooms are definitely the worst part. Let’s be honest, all public restrooms can be a little scary. I use paper towels, elbows, feet, everything I can to keep my hands from touching anything in there.

And I’m no germaphobe. I often forget that there are also lots of germs at the grocery store, the mall, or the office.

Basically, I think GermBloc is on to something. Though I may be feeling extra squeamish after seeing all of those invisible germ monsters floating on everything. But seriously, it’s kind of brilliant in a simple way. Now I don’t know that it’s much of a fashion statement, but you’ll look way fashionable when everyone else comes down with the flu this season and you’re as healthy as a horse.

Door Delights

2011-11-07T16:34:00.001-06:00

Here it comes. Only a few have trickled through so far, but the onslaught on Christmas advertising is well on its way. Generally speaking, the holidays are a time of cheer. Less generally and more specifically: shopping is a headache, traveling is a headache, decorating is a headache, and let’s be honest here, family can be a headache. That’s 4 headaches total. But with DoorDelights, you’ll be down to 3.

DoorDelights are magnetic holiday decorations. You can put them on your garage door, your front door, your fridge door, or your car door (okay, you can put them on your whole car, but you get the point). The garage takes up 30% of the average home and yet there has been no good way to decorate it until now. This is something so easy that that anyone can do it. You can hand them over to your little minion elves, aka children, and they’ll be glad you asked. Because DoorDelights are so easy to use and so durable, your kids will have fun finding new ways to arrange the decorations and keep the holiday cheer high.

Glow Buddy - The Best Gift You Will Ever Give Your Child

2011-10-24T14:27:00.000-05:00

A nightlight your child can hug? Personally, I think this is brilliant. For younger kids that have a hard timing falling asleep, this bear will become their new best bedtime friend. And older kids love things that glow in the dark. I'll definitely be ordering one for my niece. Her birthday is coming up, and I know this is something that she will love. You can order them here!

The Amazing Pocket Chair

2011-10-03T13:16:00.001-05:00

Standing is a tough job, but someone has to do it. Though, that someone won’t be you when you have a Pocket Chair. Now, I’ve actually sat my toosh on this little phenom and it is surprisingly comfortable and surprisingly portable. Not that my purse isn’t full enough already with an entire pharmacy and grocery store. But come on, I need a place to sit! Have any of you had a chance to try the Pocket Chair out?

A Tribute to Doing It Wrong

2010-12-10T09:59:00.000-06:00

Infomercial Compilation. How did I miss this YouTube video from 7 months ago? Here's a funny compilation of problem setups from dozens of infomercials:

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DidiSeven - Crazy Stain Remover Demos!

2010-11-22T18:12:00.001-06:00

DidiSeven. DidiSeven was a monster hit in the early 1990's, selling tens of millions of stain remover tubes worldwide long before the introduction of OxiClean that led to its demise. The marketers have brought back the same powerful formula to try it again in 2010...hey, that rhymed! Can they repeat their success? Adding ShamWow as a free giveaway just might put it over the edge...

Check out the latest DidiSeven Infomercial approach:

Vs. one of Didi Seven's original infomercials...they've come a long way!

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Sticky Balls. Not what you're thinking!

2010-11-17T16:40:00.002-06:00

Sticky Balls. What were you thinking? These are simply super-powerful neo-dymium magnets that when used properly can eat up your entire day. Nothing more, nothing less. Some call Sticky Balls the "toy of the century," but we're only 10 years into the century, so that's not saying much. Personally, I prefer to think of them as "endless fun." However, the real reason to love Sticky Balls is because "you'll amaze your friends!" Wait a minute....I think they're using my quotes in the video....see if your magic comments can end up in the ad...

The tricks are unbelievable. I found several "how to" videos as well on the Sticky Balls YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/buystickyballs.

My personal favorite video, however, is the Sticky Balls Rap:

You can post your own Sticky Balls videos at http://www.stickyballs.com/
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Secret Glo Infomercial. Tan in the winter?

2010-10-15T10:41:00.000-05:00

Secret Glo. Pasty is not pretty. I don't care what Lady Gaga says...when I'm pasty in the winter, no one notices me. In this economy, it's hard to afford weekly sessions at the spray on tanning salon. Tanning lotions don't work. And tanning creams leave your skin splotchy. What's a girl to do? Enter Tan Wow (would have been a much cooler name for Secret Glo...and Vince could have done wonders for the product!). Just wipe on the cloth and wipe off your pastiness. Instant self-esteem...even in the dead of winter.

The only question...does it really work? Too early to tell...if you've tried it, please let us know.

Check out the Secret Glo infomercial:

Email readers CLICK HERE!

Pajama Jeans. Look great and feel self-conscious!

2010-09-29T12:58:00.001-05:00

Pajama Jeans. It appears that the Pajama Jeans infomercial is rolling out. That makes me so happy. I lost a few pounds over the summer, so I can now fit back into my skinny jeans, just in time for the holidays. I feel sexy wearing skinny jeans, but I feel comfortable in my Pajama Jeans. Oh, and I also feel like I'm wearing pajamas. You'd think that would be a good thing, but I constantly worry that everyone around me realizes that I'm wearing pajamas. This really bothered my until I realized that I can't wear them 14 days in a row like I do with my normal pajamas. People were starting to talk.

Now that I only wear my Pajama Jeans a few times a week, I'm over my self-conscious worrying. These are so comfortable, sometimes it feels like I'm not wearing anything at all. I try not to dwell on that one, or I'd never venture outside.

What do you think of your Pajama Jeans? Send photos, and I'll upload them to the site...just make sure you don't go outside in your slippers and nighty...I made that mistake the first week...

Check out the newest Pajama Jeans infomercial:

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Pitchmen, Sept 2, 2010: Fridge Locker vs. Rx Locker vs. ShaveMate

2010-08-30T03:05:00.001-05:00

Pitchmen Review, Sept 2, 2010. Check out videos from this week's Pitchmen episode starring Anthony Sullivan.

Update: Pitchmen has been delayed until Q1 2011. This episode will air in January or February.

Fridge Locker Infomercial:

Rx Locker, with Dr. Drew Pinsky, on The View:

ShaveMate Infomercial:

EZ Stringer. Never take off your sweatpants again!

2010-08-25T12:53:00.000-05:00

EZ Stringer. The recession is hitting all of us pretty hard. The one positive I've experienced is that I've been able to wear sweatpants more often. What used to be the norm only for a jog along Lakeshore Drive has now become my most consistent fashion. Taco Bell doesn't care if I'm wearing sweatpants as I go through the drive-thru. Netflix still delivers movies to me....they don't care if I'm wearing pants at all! The more you wear sweatpants, the more comfortable they get. Then one day...the drawstring comes out in the wash, and your perfectly conditioned sweatpants are now useless.

My only solution is to gain 50 pounds so the pants hold themselves up....until now! Introducing EZ Stringer...the easy way to restring your drawstrings. I honestly can't believe no one has thought of this before! So I'm off to dumpster dive for my cherished sweatpants...I miss them....

Check out the infomercial if you haven't seen it already:

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Time Magazine's Top 25 Funniest Infomercials of All Time

2010-08-24T11:37:00.000-05:00

Check out this link to see the entire list. Topping the list are two of my favorites, the Hawaii Chair and the Tiddy Bear. There are some recent spots that show up on the list as well: Cami Secret, Shake Weight for Men, and more. You can see videos of each of the infomercials here.

Pitchmen, August 26, 2010. Clean Sweep vs. Secure Sleeve vs. Select-A-Wrench

2010-08-24T11:02:00.003-05:00

08/26/10 Pitchmen. On this week's Pitchmen episode, we see Anthony Sullivan testing three very different products: OnTel Products' Clean Sweep, the latest successor to the Swivel Sweeper. ID Stronghold's Secure Sleeve, a unique protection device to keep identity thieves away from your credit card numbers. And, a young inventor's Select-A-Wrench.

Clean Sweep. The Swivel Sweeper has been a huge success for OnTel Products and for Anthony Sullivan. To date, they have sold well over 20MM units worldwide. The company has toyed with minor changes to the product in an attempt to keep the marketing campaign alive, but the Clean Sweep is there first real change in years. It combines microfiber with the Swivel Sweeper sweeping action. Look for this to awaken a tired brand, especially with the PR help of the Discover Channel's Pitchmen.

ID Stonghold's Secure Sleeve. Eh? Have you ever heard of someone having their identity stolen from a passerby? If you have to explain the problem, then the infomercial will never convince the consumer to pick up the phone and place an order. They'll wait to hear it on the news or from a friend firsthand. It's starting to look like Sully is accepting any product for Pitchmen as long as the client has money. Can you effectively use Pitchmen as a PR vehicle for your product, even if the infomercial, by itself, has little chance of success? I guess we'll have to wait and see. They claimed a super-successful test market, but I haven't been able to see the spot anywhere...have any of you had any luck? Other than a few small news stories that have already been commented on? On 9/2/10, we'll see two more products that are clearly being marketed via Pitchmen rather than being able to stand on their own, Fridge Locker and RX Locker. I'll discuss them in more detail next week.

Check out the product's website HERE.

Select-A-Wrench. Great tear-jerking story about a young kid with passion and a pretty good idea. Sounds like we'll have to wait a couple of years to see if it's going to work....not sure why....

You can see many of Sully's and Pitchmen's successes and failures HERE:

Sully Store. Buy Pitchmen Anthony Sullivan's products.

2010-08-23T10:59:00.000-05:00

Sully Store. Many of my readers are huge Pitchmen and Anthony Sullivan fans. I receive a constant stream of emails asking where to review Sully's products. He has finall set up a website with all his successful products. Here's a link to the site, "Sully's Store." As of today, the link includes the following products, and he's adding more daily.

Ba'Noodle
Cold Fire (First aired 8/19/10)
Omni DualSaw (First aired during the 2009 Pitchmen season)
EZstringer
Fridge Locker (Airs 9/2/10)
Grill Glove
HexLight (First aired 8/19/10)
Jupiter Jack (First aired during the 2009 Pitchmen season)....9MM units sold to date!
Mighty Thirsty (First aired 8/19/10)
ShaveMate
Smart Mop (An old Sully favorite!)
Tater Tornado
Clean Sweep (The latest Swivel Sweeper introduction, hopefully it will be added soon!)

Generally, you can see the latest Pitchmen winners posted on the day that Pitchmen airs on the Discovery channel. I'll continue to update this post as new products are added.

Pitchmen: ColdFire vs. HexLight

2010-08-14T15:46:00.002-05:00

Cold Fire vs. Hexlight: Pitchmen Prediction. Sadly, Billy Mays is no longer with us as the 2nd season of Pitchmen begins airing on The Discovery Channel August 19, 2010. Anthony Sullivan is back in full force, and begins with his now infamous 2 product pitch-off format. In this season premiere, Cold Fire is pitted against Hexlight.

Fire prevention vs. a new flashlight. Hmmm.....normally prevention products don't sell well on TV, but Cold Fire broke through. Hexlight, on the other hand, is in the midst of clutter on TV with several "unique" flashlights being tested. Jordan Pine wrote a great explanation on why the fourth to market rarely succeeds on TV, especially when flashlights have been tested without success. Can this be the first to really make it this year...unlikely. Even on the Pitchmen TV show, where exaggeration is the norm, they claimed that first year sales are expected to hit $3MM. In the infomercial world, that means it will be relegated to catalogs and web campaigns. Check out Jordan's article HERE.

Cold Fire, on the other hand, is the first to the infomercial market in the fire extinguisher category. Normal fire extinguishers are difficult to operate and they leave behind a toxic residue. Cold Fire is as easy to operate as a can of hairspray (although I've found that hairspray is not nearly as effective at extinguishing fires...). Every home in America should have at least one fire extinguisher, and the alternative to Cold Fire is usually more expensive....so why shouldn't this work?...especially, with the now famous Anthony Sullivan as the Pitchman, Cold Fire should be one of the more successful infomercials of 2010.

Check out the Cold Fire infomercial HERE.

Check out the HexLight infomercial HERE.

Looking for all the Pitchmen winning products? Check out Anthony Sullivan's web store for Cold Fire and many others:

Slim T's. Be fat and look slim!

2010-08-09T17:53:00.002-05:00

Slim T's. Weight loss infomercials have always been a favorite of mine. Diet pills help you burn calories and lose weight without changing your donut-filled diet. Sure, you'll feel jittery all day, but that's better than feeling fat all day, right? Besides, diet pills worked wonders for Anna Nicole Smith! Infomercials for ab exercise devices promise ripped abs in only minutes a day. They don't mention the fact that you probably need to lose the 70 pounds of jelly belly around your midsection before anyone will be able to see a hint of a six pack, no matter how many stomach crunches or ab circles or tummy twists you do. P90X, Insanity, Windsor Pilates, Tai Bo and countless other DVDs probably do work if you can stick to their impossible routines. I tried P90X, but, like all you other fatties out there, I only lasted a couple of weeks. It sounded so simple....90 days to a tight and firm body. I was smart enough to realize that watching the DVDs wasn't enough, but I didn't realize that I would be in so much pain after my first P90X workout that I wouldn't be able to get out of bed the next morning. Then, I read the instructions, and the promised weight loss only seemed to come about if you stuck to their rigid diet of celery and $60 protein powder.

Ugh! Weight loss just isn't as easy as infomercials promise. Until now! Introducing Slim T's...the revolutionary way to not appear sloppy and fat without having to go on any crash diet, killer workout routines or dangerous drug regimens. Simply squeeze into this 11 year old boy sized wife beater Slim T and voila!, you can instantly see your feet...even if you can't feel them anymore as the blood rushes to your heart in full survival mode as your gut is squeezed through to your spine. Sounds painful...but I assume they feel like the ladies' counterpart, the Kymaro Body Shaper...which actually isn't that bad. And, as a side benefit, there is no way to fit a cheeseburger AND a milkshake in your belly wearing one of these tight shirts. Other side benefit...you can still wear your 1976 Nike tank top and no one will see your Slim T hiding securely below.

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PineappleTwist. Like a knife, only better!

2010-07-28T14:31:00.000-05:00

PineappleTwist. A twist on an age old product, the knife. Anthony Sullivan stars in this riveting infomercial touting the benefits of a retrofitted hand drill that can be used to slice pineapples quickly and easily. Like many of you, I love Anthony Sullivan, but I'm not sure he'll be able to turn this product into the next Swivel Sweeper. What are the first food products that come to mind when you think about successful infomercials? Perfect Brownie? Big City Slider? Big Top Cupcake? These are targeted perfectly for infomercial land. Tons of fat, and tons of sugar....but pineapples? Who eats fruit anymore? And when we do buy pineapples, they are already peeled and canned.

Here are some better ideas for the inventor:

Pineapple ice cream maker.
Guide to making canned pineapple taste like fresh pineapple.
Pineapple donut fryer.
Trans fat in a can (nothing to do with pineapple, but it sure would make my Oreos taste better!).

The infomercial? Well, not Sully's best work, but it probably fits the personality of the product. See what you think:

Email readers, see the Pineapple Twist infomercial HERE!

Sticky Wicky. The new Sham Wow?

2010-07-14T18:20:00.000-05:00

Sticky Wicky. "If you've got a cat or a dog, a chicken, a frog, an alligator, a cat or a snake, you know when they started shedding what a mess those varmints make, you need a roller, a sticky roller." I can't get that song out of my head! Masterful job of annoying me to the point that I will never forget this product.

"It uses special...patented...rotation...gription action." The product is so simple, but what a great job of turning it into something special!

"Made out of silicone and rubber...girl's best friend." Somehow, Vince "Sham Wow" Offer pulls off the sexual muses much more successfully. With this ad, I just felt a little dirty. Not good for a cleaning product.

"Pick up...the kids from school." Still not laughing, but also, I still can't get that song out of my head!

Then....magically...we get into the demos. Very nice. Rinses easily. Sticks to a mirror. Very simple, but effective. Not sure I would have chosen this pitch approach or this pitchwoman, but something seems to be clicking. If you can get over the low end production quality, and the annoying song, then this just might be a decent hit. My only question is how this is different from those $2.99 rollers you can buy at Wal-Mart with 3M tape serving the same function. Is it worth it to have one made out of silicone? Maybe.

You have to see the video for any of this to make sense:

Email Readers CLICK HERE!....you must!

Total Pillow. The Last Pillow You'll Ever Need!

2010-06-25T14:58:00.000-05:00

Total Pillow. There is one product in everyone's home they spend more time with than their wife, their children and their hobbies, combined!...It's your pillow. Think about it. How do you feel when your head hits the pillow each night. I know I look forward to it all day. It's hard not to smile as you forget the cares of the day and drift off to sleep in total comfort. BAM! When alarm sounds, you longingly want to continue in your close embrace, but eventually you have to leave it and get back to work.

Well now, you can bring your pillow with you all day! In the car. On a plane. At your desk. Even for an afternoon nap. For me, it's not about the technical features of the Total Pillow. Frankly, it really don't even understand what's inside that thing. I just like that I can take my best friend with me wherever I go. Also, my doctor always told me to get more sleep. Now that I am sleeping two to three hours at the office each day, I feel much better. And when I feel stressed out by my boss that always seems to wake me up at the worst time, I just coil the Total Pillow into a ball, rest it behind my back and happily dream of being in my happy place...my bed!

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Couch Coaster. Never leave the couch again!

2010-06-21T11:51:00.001-05:00

Couch Coaster. Leave me alone. Don't call me. Don't ask me questions. Just let me watch TV! Until now, I could sit and relax on the couch for hours, but eating and drinking were next to impossible. Sure, I could put my soda and chips on the coffee table, but then I had to lean forward every time I wanted to take a drink. Then, one day, I got the crazy idea that I should replace my coffee table with an ottoman. It was great that I could put my feet up in comfort, but now I couldn't eat unless I wanted to juggle the big snack bowl and my cold, sweaty soda can. Ugh! What to do? How could I watch Matlock and eat at the same time?

In comes Couch Coaster, the solution to all my woes. Now, I can hold two drinks, a ton of snacks, my remote and my phone right by my side while I relax and submit myself to my beautiful HDTV for hours on end. Just don't call my phone between the hours of 7pm and 11pm. I'm busy!
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Ms.Taken, the Cubic Zirconia of teh 21st Century

2010-06-18T03:16:00.004-05:00

Ms.Taken. Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Cubic Zironia is a man's best friend...that is until the girl finds out that it's not a diamond. Rewind to 1976. Cubic Zirconia was introduced to the world as an inexpensive alternative to real diamonds. They look real. They feel real. But...you can buy them on TV for only $19.99! Some credit Cubic Zirconia as the original product that really launched the Home Shopping Network and QVC. Without these diamond imitations, where would we be today? We're even seeing a resurgence of similar products now branded as "Absolute" and other more modern and acceptable names.

Now, in 2010, Ms.Taken has taken the marketing of wannabe diamonds in a new direction: fool men into thinking that you are, in fact, "taken." Their marketing language is classic: "Who says being engaged is all that? The biggest upside is being left alone, once people spot a ring on your left hand. Whether you're trying to dodge dodgy dudes at the bar, heading to a reunion or visiting your nagging grandmother, slip on your Ms.Taken ring and act as if. It says committed, without the commitment." Isn't 2010 all about having fun without commitment? Why should be have to be engaged or married to have men stop bothering us?

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Their other videos are a bit less reserved, check them out on their website: http://mstaken.com/video/

Eminem Infomercial with Vince "Sham Wow" Offer

2010-06-16T15:12:00.002-05:00

Eminem + Vince Offer = The Perfect Combination. I'm not sure what that means, but who better to sell CDs for Eminem than Vince Offer. If Vince were a rap artist, "Slim Shady" would be his moniker. If Eminem were to hawk wares on TV, his style would clearly mimic that of Vince "Sham Wow" Offer. Add together their treatment of women, and you start to wonder if they're related. At any rate, it's fun to see infomercials turn mainstream. Weezer was perhaps the first to market their CD release through their Weezer Snuggie infomercial. Eminem follows suit cleverly through Vince Offer to market his new "Recovery" CD. It hasn't quite gone viral yet, but who knows, maybe you'll be the one to start the trend...

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TV Hat - Never be bothered by humans again!

2010-05-03T14:05:00.000-05:00

TV Hat. Do you ever get annoyed by the hundreds or even thousands of people that you see around you every day? Crowded airports. Loud subway cars. Bustling restauants...even your family can be annoying sometimes. Introducting TV Hat! The solution to all your human interaction problems.

Simply drop your iPhone into the privacy shield, put on the hair, insert your earphones and watch as the world around you instantly disappears! No more annoying kids. No more mind-bending conversations with someone you just met. Turn off the world with the TV Hat, and you won't even notice the teenagers making fun of how silly you look at the beach with your TV Hat.

All kidding aside, if I can get over the embarrassment of wearing this in public, I just might buy one. The TV Hat is a great concept in a dorky package. But aren't we all great concepts in dorky packages?

How many of you would wear the TV Hat in public?

Cami Secret. Custom cleavage.

2010-02-26T13:24:00.003-06:00

Cami Secret. "You love that low cut top for going out at night. But in the office, it's just not right." This ad had me cracking up for the first 30 seconds. There are a ton of great one-liners. "You can decide just how much cleavage you'll show." Then, I realized, it's actually a pretty cool idea. Also, through countless posts, I've come to realize that the products I'm most tempted to poke fun at turn out to be the biggest hits.

Am I too tainted by my love for infomercial products, or is this a pretty cool idea? Let me know what you think.

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Sleep Toasty. My dream come true.

2010-02-19T17:03:00.001-06:00

Sleep Toasty. Ever since I was a child, I have cherished climbing into bed and fending off the chilly night air as I cuddled up and fell asleep. When I was 6, I cuddled with a teddy bear. Now that I'm a bit older, I cuddle up with my body pillow. Most nights are absolute bliss. You know the feeling: cold toes and fingers gradually warming up as you drift off to sleep...there's nothing better.

Unfortunately, some nights it seems impossible to warm up. Wool socks. Sweat pants. Fleece shirt. These solutions certainly warm you up, but it's just not the same. I've looked for years for a solution, and Telebrands has found the answer -- Sleep Toasty. The technology is simple: combine tinfoil with a fleece blanket.

They claim the technology comes from NASA, which I guess is true, but it's still really just tinfoil. At any rate, anyone that has completed a marathon and wrapped up with a thin foil blanket at the finish line realizes that this material can do wonders for maintainig your body temperature, even when tiny drips of perspiration are quickly evaporating from your entire body.

Ingenious! Combine thin foil warming properties with comfy fleece. I get it. If I get it, then you probably do too. I'm concerned this product, although a needed and believable concept, won't sell. With it's 1970's light tan color, it looks too much like my grandma's blankets...or maybe too sterile. If they were too launch stylish colors, this could be a real winner. On the other hand, the need for the product could outweigh its weaknesses. For now, we'll just have to wait and see if this one will stick around.

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Tomato Juice Slushie

2010-02-12T17:20:00.001-06:00

The Original Slush Mug. Not that you would, but you could enjoy a tomato juice slushie if you wanted to. The proposition is simple: 1. freeze mug liner, 2. pour in your favorite beverage, 3. wait....wait....wait...and voila! a delicious slushie from any drink in your cupboard. FUN!

Just think of the slushies you could make....

Mylanta...not sure what this does, but anyone for chalky frozen goodness?
Slim Fast...but head freeze even faster!
Metamucil...might as well enjoy it both ways...there's a funny line from a movie here....any help?
Root beer...sounds boring now, doesn't it!
Water...that would be cool!
Acai...may then I could swallow that garbage.
Hot Chocolate...how would that work?

Email me your funniest slushie idea and win $10...

Email Readers CLICK HERE!

Best Super Bowl Ad...Ever!

2010-02-08T13:46:00.001-06:00

Super Bowl Ads. Sadly, there were no direct-response spots during the Super Bowl this year (we'll always be grateful for the 2009 CashForGold.com spot, link here), but it was still a fun night, no matter who won the game. Here's my non-scientific breakdown of the 2010 Super Bowl commercials: 83% are male-centric. 26% are selling cars. 31% are selling beer. 22% are selling snack food. 91% are funny. 93% of the funny ads do nothing to truly drive the brands they are trying to sell. This year, Google shook things up. They launched an ad that cost less than $500 to edit (you could do your own on an iMac) and $2,600,000 to air.

2010 | Super Bowl Ads | SPIKE.com

It was captivating. Interesting. Probably not funny, but it still managed to grab your attention. Google understands that everyone recognizes their brand. If someone is using Yahoo! or one of the other "has been" brands to search the Internet, there is likely a specific reason for the shunning of Google, and at this point, Google is not going to overcome the objections of this 1% of the Internet audience. Google's path to growth is not to be gained through gaining market share, but rather by growing the market. To grow, people need to search more. This ad, "How to Impress a French Woman," gets you thinking..."I can solve any problem on the Internet." "I can DO ANYTHING!!!!...with the help of the Internet....and Google." Brilliant! This is a far cry from the year 2000 dot com commercials that were hilarious but did nothing to drive sales.

Snickers somehow figured out how to be funny and stay on message with their advertising with the "Betty White" commercial. You have to love the line, "...that's not what your girlfriend says..." coming from Betty White! Yet the message is clear, "Snickers satisfies your hunger and restores your energy to keep you going." I got it. We all got it. Genius!

2010 | Super Bowl Ads | SPIKE.com

Now I'm not a total bore. Like many of you, I laughed out loud at a few of the ads. Here are a couple of my favorites...

2010 | Super Bowl Ads | SPIKE.com

I just don't see you buying more Doritos or finding a job on careerbuilder.com because of these ads.

What were your favorite spots?

EZ Smoker. It can't really work....can it?

2010-01-11T22:58:00.001-06:00

EZ Smoker. The electronic cigarette. The problem is that smoking kills you and most public places won't let you smoke so you're forced to go outside and kill yourself with all the other smokers in the freezing cold. Some claim that the lung cancer is more likely caused by overexposure to freakishly cold air. I'm not so sure I follow that logic. However, here is a solution that lets you smoke indoors. Smoke in your office. Smoke in a restaurant. Smoke at your kids' school. Heck, you can even smoke in church. This computerized wonder looks and feels just like a real cigarette. It has no nicotine, but it looks like a real cigarette. It doesn't make your clothes stink, but it looks like a real cigarette. Is it too good to be true? Well, I dare you to take a fake cigarette that looks and acts exactly like a real cigarette into a non-smoking restaurant and tell me what happens. You could pen a year's worth of blog entries just on your funny encounters. I dare you.

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TEASEase - Get Big Hair the Health Way!

2010-01-07T14:19:00.001-06:00

TEASEase. TEASE has been sold on HSN for years and has a huge following. I've heard from several readers that the "wave" demo is incredible. Watch when Chelsea Scott creates a HUGE wave in the client's hair and slides the comb through to reveal the amazing lift you get from the TEASEase. I first purchased TEASEase from HSN, and love it! It gives me tremendous volume when I want to show off my hair, and the Trulift products work well in conjunction to make sure the volume lasts all day....now look at me...I sound like the infomercial.

Check out one of the recent HSN airings:

..And the brand new Infomercial:

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BreastMaster.

2010-01-04T22:48:00.001-06:00

I thought that might get your attention. The Bosom Buddy is a great tribute to one of the best infomercials of all time, nominated in at least two categories: most units sold and most hilariousest...as well as an honorable mention for the "I can't believe people actually bought that" category - Suzanne Somers' ThighMaster. In case it's been a while, here's a peak at one of the original Thighmaster ads:

Unlike the ThighMaster, the Bosom Buddy is just not believable. Will squeezing an awkward piece of plastic actually make my breasts appear firmer and younger? Couldn't I just take a pill? If that doesn't work, rather than exercising for 20 minutes a day, I could get on a payment plan for some serious breast enhancement surgery...that's sure to work. Maybe if the Spin Gym had added this particular benefit, it could have been a hit. I think I'll take a pass this time...but I still recommend that you watch the video, purely for entertainment purposes.

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Outback Detergent

2009-12-22T14:31:00.000-06:00

Subaru Outback Detergent Infomercial. This ad is done in the classical Billy Mays pitchman style, but is, according to most of the comments on the YouTube page, intended to be humorous. I must admit...I don't get it. Although the demos are weak, the Detergent looks AWESOME! No other detergent gets mud out of a white shirt that quickly. At any rate, it's another compliment to the infomercial industry that a mainstream brand like Subaru would create an ad like this, even if it is in jest. Also, it is pretty funny...check it out:

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Perfect Fit Buttons. Any pants can be your fat pants.

2009-12-16T06:00:00.001-06:00

Perfect Fit Buttons. Thanksgiving was hard on my body this year. The 4 week lead-up to Christmas and Kwanza is proving even tougher. Luckily, I have sweat pants that match all of my holiday sweaters, as my sexy jeans have turned into my constipation jeans...that is, on the off-chance I can actually get them buttoned. I refuse to buy new pants because I know I will beautifully fit into all my outfits in just a few short months...as soon as the cookies, brownies and festive fried chicken slow down.

But wait, this year, I can have my cake and still fit into my sexy jeans! The Perfect Fit Buttons essentially grow your pants size without actually growing your pants size. Makes sense. I'm pretty intrigued with the idea. I would make fun of the product, but I've discovered that the more I make fun of an infomercial product, the bigger the hit it becomes. So, for this one, I'm going to take early credit in saying that it will be a monster hit!

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OxiNeem - Brown Powder for Your Teeth!

2009-12-14T10:48:00.001-06:00

OxiNeem. Brought to you by the original inventor of OxiClean, Max Appel. OxiNeem is a brown powder that you scoop on to your toothpaste every time you brush your teeth to boost the antioxidant levels in your mouth. As Dr. Fleisher explains in the ad, "the health of your mouth is the gateway to the health of your whole body." I get it. But, couldn't I just eat the antioxidants? Or doesn't my Crest toothpaste already fight gum disease in my mouth?...and Crest has spent over a billion dollars marketing the benefits of their product. I'm a bit skiddish on this one. We're all pulling for Max Appel to have another big success, but I don't think this will be the one.

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That's not Max's funniest product, though. Check out his first product launched after selling OxiClean to Church & Dwight: Aaah Toilet Paper Foam. I like Max. Few people are as warm and friendly as Max, so I won't comment too much on the spot, but I'd love to hear what you think...

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Insta Gone...Say It Ain't So!

2009-12-10T10:18:00.017-06:00

Insta-Gone. It was a HUGE infomercial hit about a decade ago. The demos can be truly amazing....instant obliteration of mold and mildew! Unfortunately, this spot leaves much to be desired. This is at least the second time Insta-Gone has been tested this year, and it doesn't look like it's going to make a comeback anytime soon. Maybe if the marketers were to really wow us with the spot, we might be more apt to buy.

Here's where this spot falls apart:

The cleanest surfaces in the entire spot appear in the "problem" intro!...it's all downhill from there.
"Spray it on...stains are gone" - fantastic tagline! Unfortunately, it accompanies low budget, unbelievable animation. This is the opportunity to really pull the audience with a wow demo...by now, you've lost half of them.
Wait...if the product "works like magic"...if it works instantly, why are 99% of the demos before/afters? Again, you've lost me. The product has no credibility, and we're only 40 seconds in.
Dirty patio furniture? Is it? It doesn't look to bad to me. A paper towel should do the trick.
Testimonials. Ahhh, the tried and true way of convincing consumers that a product really works. The problem is that in a powerful cleaning product spot like this, the testimonials are meaningless until you show me the product working. Wow me first, then build credibility. By now, I'm yawning, but only because I'm too lazy to search out the remote control to change the channel.
I do like the offer. The value is great, but by this point, I've already given up.

I don't mean to be overly negative, but that's why you pay me, right? Let me know what you think. So much potential...just left on the table...

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Weezer Snuggie

2009-12-09T10:13:00.002-06:00

Weezer Snuggie. Funny. Need I say more?

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OK, I'll say more. A few weeks back, Weezer launched their new CD, Raditude, via a new Snuggie commercial. Genius! Weezer is known to be a bit qwerky, and they have been known to launch their CDs in the past in strange ways. However, as a true As Seen On TV Fan, I see nothing strange about teaming up with the most exciting brand of the year. I can't quite figure out the math to see how I'll get a "free" CD when I have to pay $29.99 for the Snuggie, but I don't think that's really the point. Almost a million views of the spot on YouTube in less than a month? I think their goal has been fully accomplished!

New Infomercial Format? - UnReel

2009-12-07T10:04:00.001-06:00

UnReel, the "gardening hose management system." Doesn't sound too exciting. However, what this spot lacks, it makes up for in creativity. The "Product Patrol" is on call to review the product in an infomercial format making it seem to be an objective review. To the host's surprise, the UnReel works just as it promises! Seems a bit shameless, but I like it. One could criticize Vince "Shamwow" Offer for being over the top cheesy in selling his products, but it works. Billy Mays was infamous for his yelling through the television. But, these hosts are memorable because they are different. I applaud the creativity of the UnReel team. They are solving a real, everyday problem, and they are marketing in a new and unique way. I suspect that viewers will easily see through the "shameless" approach, but it just might be enough to break through the clutter.

What do you think?

UnReel Spot:

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Telebrands CEO on "The View"

2009-12-03T14:51:00.002-06:00

The View. I hate the show, but you gotta love AJ Khubani, the CEO of Telebrands that has made millions of dollars for over 25 years selling products on TV. Though he has never starred in his own infomercials, he reached recent stardom as a guest and sponsor of the hit show, Pitchmen. AJ funded several of the hits that came out of Billy Mays' and Anthony Sullivan's show on Discovery channel earlier this year.

Here's a recent interview where AJ "objectively" reviews several of the top as seen on TV products with the cast of The View:

Email Readers CLICK HERE!

Happy Birthday Mr. Infomercial!

2009-12-03T14:25:00.000-06:00

Celebrating the birth of the infomercial. 60 years ago today (December 3, 1949) VitaMix Machines were first sold on TV. We've come a long way since then in video quality, but you still see tenets from the original VitaMix founder that are present in today's infomercials.

Check out their original infomercial at: http://vitamix.cachefly.net/household/Videos/papa_repost/index.html

Infomercial tips

2009-12-01T08:42:00.001-06:00

I've received dozens of emails requesting pointers on launching products on DRTV (i.e. infomercials). My role is to poke fun at spots that are just plain funny, and also to share some of my favorite infomercials with all of you. I'm not sure how helpful my posts are to budding entrepreneurs, but my friends at Harvest Group do a much better job explaining how to be successful on TV.

Harvest Group recently posted some instructional videos to help entrepreneurs considering using DRTV to launch their products. Here are some examples (email readers, CLICK HERE):

What makes a successful infomercial product?

Market Research - Connect to the Consumer:

The Business Side of DRTV / How to Make Money:

Other videos can be found at the Harvest Group YouTube Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/HarvestGroupDRTV

Mitch's Green Flush

2009-11-30T13:37:00.001-06:00

Mitch's Green Flush. "Want a shock?" That's the all too appropriate opening line of this 'soon to be a classic' infomercial. Note that I did not say "classy." Nor did I say "HUGE HIT!" Those are very unlikely outcomes. However, with demonstrations like flushing bananas and oatmeal down the toilet, how could you go wrong. I am shocked to see that as of November 30, 2009, there were only 614 hits to the YouTube page. Maybe we can at least help rectify that problem. No bun, er pun intended.

OK, the banana demo is gross the first time. I'm not sure why they have to go and show it a second time. However, the value of the offer is great. You'll save $19.99 the first month in water savings alone! I don't really believe that claim unless you install the Green Flush in a frat house toilet (you know, because it gets used so much). But...I do believe that you could easily save that much money over the course of a few years. AND...you're doing your part to help the "environment." The real problem, at least as I see it, is that your immediate environment is likely to be much worse while you're out to save the rest of the planet. And besides, even if every American bought the Green Flush, I can guarantee that no one in China or India is going to buy one, so all the green savings will be literally flushed down the drain. I'm not saying that the Chinese don't care about the environment. They did, after all, present a very clean Beijing for the Olympics. I AM saying that they don't eat bananas and oatmeal, if you know what I mean, so the little green flusher just won't work as well.

I like to predict whether a product will work or not. I've been wrong before (see Bottle Tops and Neckline Slimmer), but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Green Flush will not be around after Christmas. So be sure to buy yours today (after all, it is Cyber Monday)...and view the YouTube video before it's pulled down from cyberspace. I must warn you again...the banana demonstration is really disgusting.

Email readers click HERE!

Scratch Ender

2009-11-19T21:02:00.000-06:00

Scratch Ender. Finally, a solution to scratched stainless steel! My sink is a wreck. My stove is filled with scuffs. And my stainless steel fridge door has a knick that bothers me every time I open the door. The Scratch Ender instructions sound easy: squeeze the stuff on to the included tool/pad, rub on the surface and wipe away. Sounds easy enough.

I saw a few "before/after" demos that made me wonder how well the product really worked, but the real time demonstration near the middle of the ad makes it look like there's no camera trickery. I'll be trying this product for sure!

Email readers click HERE!

Max Grip Dash Tray - Billy Mays

2009-10-01T16:23:00.001-05:00

Max Grip Dash Tray, a new spot from the late, great Billy Mays. This must have been one of the final spots he worked on, and it's actually a pretty cool idea. Cell phones, iPods, garage door openers, sunglasses...the list of things I carry in my car is endless. Unfortunately, my iPhone now only works for about 5 minutes at a time before dropping my calls since it has fallen so many times. The Dash Tray could solve that problem...I'm sold!

Unfortunately, the video quality below is poor, but you can also check out their full-res video on the Max Grip website.

Email readers click here!

Where's Billy Mays?

2009-09-28T05:13:00.001-05:00

http://www.wheresbillymays.com/. "Young Billy Mays," as he's known on Twitter and Facebook, or Billy Mays III as he's affectionately known to the rest of us is the son of the late, great Billy Mays. Young Billy has started a blog in honor of his late father - you should really check it out if you were ever a fan of the greatest infomercial pitchman of our lifetime.

The intent of the blog is to post stickers of Billy Mays all over the world and send in pics to Young Billy so his dad's legacy can live on. It's a very heart-warming gesture from the nicest 20-something you would ever be lucky enough to meet. I don't know Young Billy well, but I've met him a few times, and where he lacks in his father's eternal salesmanship, he more than makes up for in his kindness and constant attention to others...just like his dad.

Visit his blog to support Young Billy. Maybe to support the late Billy Mays II. Or even if just for entertainment, but it's definitely worth a visit.

My best to Young Billy and his family, and thanks for the powerful blog. BTW, I just discovered that Young Billy is also quite a musician...check some of his music out here.

Some great links from his blog (scroll down below the big header on each page):

Videos

Sightings

How to get a sticker

In Young Billy's own words: "Almost immediately after my dad's passing, (I won't use the word 'death' because I don't believe in such a thing) the team at Sullivan Productions got these stickers printed of his face. The image was drawn by Jess Saxon, husband of Arwen Saxon. (Producer/Director on Pitchmen)
The stickers were originally handed out at a small gathering at Sully's house for production-crew-friends of my dad.
Later that week at the funeral, the Sullivan Crew brought a huge box full of the stickers and handed them out to EVERYONE.
Shortly after, my followers on Twitter began asking about how to get one.
So, we ordered about 2,000 more and tweeted an address to send a SASE to get them.
Before long, people began taking pictures of all the different (sometimes funny) places they were putting their stickers.
Then, TMZ ran a story about "The sticker craze that's sweeping the nation." It was then that I knew I had to take this opportunity to keep my dad's image alive.
For those of you didn't know him personally, I can tell you right now that you would've loved him. There weren't many people, upon meeting him, who didn't enjoy his company.
My dad was the type of person who would actually listen to your story, whether he was talking to a fan at a crowded airport or a longtime business partner.
His story isn't too boring in itself:
In short, he started with nothing and finished with everything he could ever want.
I hope that when you're placing your sticker, you get a positive feeling knowing that you're continuing the legacy of a good man.
My dad had the kind of sense of humor where he was in on the joke. He knew that his image was funny and he didn't mind poking fun at himself.So, as you participate in this little tribute, do it with a light heart.
As for me, I'm beyond proud of my dad's ENTIRE LIFE. He lived his life with blistering passion and a rare generosity. I had 22 amazing years with him and he taught me a lifetime's worth of lessons in a quarter of the time.
To you, the reader, thanks for helping me honor the most amazing man I've ever known."

UGlu

2009-09-25T06:57:00.001-05:00

UGlu. It's been a good week for good DR spots. I love the demos in this spot. My only fear is that the product will demo very well and deliver poorly, much like Mighty Putty. If the glue tape works as well as it shows on TV, it should be a real winner. I've been so disappointed in the past, however, that I'm reluctant to try this out until it hits retail, and I fear for this company that millions of Americans will feel the same way.

Email readers click here!

Effortless Extensions

2009-09-23T06:44:00.002-05:00

Effortless Extensions. "Transform your look with the ultimate hair accessory!" "Go from ordinary to extraordinary, in seconds!" These are pretty strong claims for an As Seen On TV item, but from the looks of it, they just might deliver on the promise. The before/after shots are beautiful! Like many of my female readers and friends, I've toyed with the idea of hair extensions for years, but never took the plunge. I figured that if I wanted longer hair, I would grow it out. But Effortless Extensions is the first product I've seen that let's you go from long to short to long on a whim. I've seen a few products on HSN and QVC that add buns or ponytails to your hair, but never a true extension that you can style any way you like.

I've ordered my own, and will let you know if they deliver on their promise...

Check out the spot and let me know what you think.

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Snuggie Fashion Show

2009-09-19T01:16:00.002-05:00

Fashion Week in NYC is a HUGE event every year. New brands are launched. Celebrity fashions are formed. Millions of dollars are booked. This year, however, the biggest story (at least for my thousands of readers) was the launch of several new Snuggie models for dogs, kids and trendy adults. Ross "the Intern" Matthews was the emcee, and although he lacked his normal hilarious sarcasm, the event was a monumental success.

Thank you Allstar Marketing for taking As Seen On TV products to this level!

Details from the Allstar Marketing press release:
On Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Snuggie™ held its first-ever fashion show to display its latest colors and styles! Celebrity host Ross "The Intern" Mathews narrated the event.The Snuggie™ Fashion Show featured lights, cameras and glamorous models as they struck a pose in new Snuggie™ blankets. Of course, it wouldn't be a Snuggie™ affair without a few surprises along the way, such as canine models in the new Snuggie™ for Dogs blanket coats and the unveiling of limited edition Snuggie™ designs that will be available online and through television offers this holiday season.

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Mesh One

2009-08-31T11:33:00.001-05:00

Mesh One. "The folding chair you'll want to show off!" I never thought I'd see a 2-minute commercial hawking a folding chair, but the spot is actually pretty entertaining. The chair just sits there, but the demonstrations bring it to life. I must admit that I've actually tried this chair, and it's super comfortable. http://www.meshone.com/

(Email readers click here)

Are these real infomercials?

2009-08-27T22:43:00.005-05:00

Kudos to Jordan Pine, from SciMark. He found some real doozies this week.

A-Spray. Feet stink. Butts stink. Private parts stink. However, that doesn't mean that you should show people spraying these body parts on TV. Honestly, I don't have anything more I can say about this spot, but trust me, you'll enjoy it!

(Email readers click here)

Poop Trap. I'm sorry to share this video, but I can't help myself. Once you see it, you'll feel the same way. Dog lovers love their dogs. I know it sounds obvious, but many will do whatever it takes to make their dogs happy. To help them avoid the embarrassment of pooping on the ground in public, the geniuses at Poop Trap Inc. spent months, maybe years designing a device that enables dogs to poop while standing up. Much better.

In case you can't stand to watch the entire 60 seconds, you at least have to check out the scene at 0:42. I can only pray that the HD networks disallow this spot from airing so I don't have to see a close-up of a dog actually pooping into a clear plastic bag. Oh what a world that would be.

(Email readers click here)

Use a towel to get cool

2009-08-14T10:43:00.001-05:00

New idea? I'm not sure. However, in late July, I saw two products that are virtually the same concept to try and tackle the problem of keeping cool in the summer. Here's the idea: take the product, whichever of the two you choose, soak in water and snap it in the air to instantly make it cooler than the outside air temperature. Which spot is better? Clearly, the first one is going low budget with their test and the second spent more time working on production quality. Does it matter? See for yourself:

Snap-It-Kool

Polar Snap Cooling Towel

Funny videos. Can they sell?

2009-08-12T10:50:00.002-05:00

The last couple of years have turned infomercials into loud fixtures in pop culture. Billy Mays, may he rest in peace, hit true celebrity stardom appearing on all the late-night talk shows and starring in his own hit documentary, Pitchmen, on the Discovery Channel. The Snuggie inspired pub crawls all over the country, and actually made it into prime time in product placements that billion-dollar brand managers only dream of. Vince, "Sham-Wow," Schlomi was everywhere on the airways, and not just his news clips from beating up the Miami hooker. YouTube infomercial spoofs generated MILLIONS of views in weeks. Crazy!

Leave it to these innovative marketers to capitalize on the trend. YouTube spoofs for the ShamWow spot and the Slap Chop spot, now being marketed by different companies despite the shared spokesman, are now hitting the airwaves. In the past two weeks, I've seen these two hilarious spoofs on TV...not on YouTube!...on my real TV! Genius! The verdict is still out whether or not the tactic will work, but in the meantime, I can't get the Slap Chop rap out of my head..."you're gonna slap, slap, slap your troubles away with the Slap Chop..."

Slap Chop Rap

ShamWow! Melody

Snuggie for Dogs

2009-08-10T22:23:00.005-05:00

Snuggie for Dogs. I first heard about this concept about a month ago, and I have to admit that I thought it was a real stretch for the brand. However, the spot was well done and makes the product pretty compelling. "Why would my dog need a Snuggie?" is the question I first asked myself, but now I'm saying, "how did my dog ever survive without a Snuggie!" Dog sweaters are a pain. This looks easy to wear. It's as simple as that. Check out the spot to see what you think:

Some other great products that would be perfect for pets:

ShamWow/UrineGone combo

Proactiv for Dogs

Iron Gym for Cats (Am I the only one that finds cat pictures a bit scary?)

Bottle Tops.

2009-07-31T13:56:00.001-05:00

Bottle Tops. Love it! Not in the "I want to buy you" way, but more like "this product is hilarious!" Imagine yourself, if just for a moment, in the year 1976. You can see the bell-bottom jeans. Smell the fondue. Taste the Tab Cola dripping from the hi-tech aluminum can into your diet soda bloated belly. Can you believe you used to drink from glass bottles? And soda used to be made without saccharin? Not now. May inexpensive and virtually unbreakable aluminum cans live forever!

Before those darn dolphins swallowed all the plastic 6-pack rings, aluminum soda cans were all the rage. They were absolutely perfect!...with the minor problem that they weren't resealable. Enter Bottle Tops. Now you can add a resealable lid to your aluminum can and store opened containers in the fridge...bring it with you on your next bike ride...or turn it into a dry ice bomb.

Now roll forward to the year 2009. Plastic bottles are everywhere. Plastic water bottles in the conference room. Soda bottles at the gas station. Even the vending machine at Wal-Mart dispenses these little technological marvels that can safely be swallowed whole by even the smallest dolphins. If you live in West Virginia (no offense), maybe you haven't seen these plastic bottles yet. You will love Bottle Tops on top of your soda cans. For the rest of us, if we really want to reseal our soda, can't we just buy the bottle instead?

Click here to see the Bottle Tops website.

Potty Patch.

2009-07-29T13:14:00.000-05:00

Potty Patch. Yes, you read correctly. No, this is not at all related to the smokers patch, but that would be pretty funny too. Potty Patch helps your dog poop inside your house. Am I the only one that thinks that dog poop is REALLY stinky? When it gets stuck on your shoe, it takes days of soaking to remove the smell. But if you just can't get enough dog poop in your home, Potty Patch brings it ALL inside. It's basically a kitty litter system for dogs. The only difference is that cats are tiny, and so is their poop. Dogs are totally different, and did I already say that they are totally stinky? Very funny ad though...

Turbo Snake

2009-07-28T20:29:00.002-05:00

Turbo Snake. Love it! Drano never seemed to make a dent in the tough clogs in my decades old Chicago apartment. I once hired a plumber for a couple hundred dollars to clear out a stuck drain. The need is real, and people are frustrated with current options. Turbo Snake appears to solve the problems by being an easy solution to remove the toughest clogs. Plus, the demos are powerful. We've seen that combination before, and it usually leads to a successful campaign.

Pitchmen - Grater Plater & Mighty Putty Wood

2009-07-24T12:05:00.000-05:00

Update: a fellow As Seen On TV Fan found the Mighty Putty Wood commercial. Thanks Dino! Check it out at this LINK. He also found the Mighty Tape commercial HERE.

Pitchmen. After a week hiatus from serious infomercial production, the Discovery Channel Pitchmen show finally got back to business with a head to head infomercial competition. This time, they produced virtually the same spot for the Grater Plater - one spot starring Billy Mays and the other starring Anthony Sullivan. I was inclined to believe that Anthony Sullivan would outperform Billy simply because this was a low intensity, non-demo-intensive product. Basically, as the spot states, "it's a cheese grater and a plate." However, as most everyone else in the world would predict, Billy Mays beat out Sully by 40% and delivered a 3 to 1 ratio...a huge hit!

My only question is if Billy's spot did so much better, why is Sully's spot featured at http://www.graterplater.com/? Check out the videos for yourself and see which you think is better...

Billy Mays

Anthony Sullivan

Mighty Putty Wood. Now wait a minute. I could have sworn that they told us on tonight's Pitchmen that the brand new Mighty Putty spot with Billy Mays on the HMS Bounty blew away the results of the previous version...hmmm...I couldn't find the new spot anywhere online...not even on the "official" Mighty Putty website. Strange. It makes me wonder how much of Pitchmen is true and how much is just a pitch...either way, it continues to be the BEST reality show on TV!

EZ Find

2009-07-23T17:20:00.007-05:00

EZ Find. If you're like me, and you know you are, then at least once within the past week you have lost your TV remote and said to yourself, "why can't they make a locator on the remote control? If they can make one for cordless phones, how hard could it be?" Then you go to Google and Amazon to see if the product already exists. Here's what I've found so far...

These is just 1 example from more than 450,000 results on Google and about 20 different versions that you can purchase on Amazon. EZ Find. Yes, it is easy to find several versions of your product! Still, the fact that so many people have asked the question, and most haven't gone to Google to search for their product, they may have something here. I suspect that most viewers will go through the same process I did when I first saw the ad:

Where is my remote so I can change the channel.

Ugh, I can't find it.

Wait a minute, what's this? Are you telling me someone came up with a solution so I never have to lose my remote again? Wow!

And it comes with several unique pieces so I can track my phone, my keys, my remote....

Did I really eat that whole bag of Cheetos during one episode of Jon & Kate?
Will it attach to my 3 year old?

$200? No way.

Wait a minute, they cut the price to $29.99.

Now wait another minute, that's two payments of $29.99.

That's gotta be more than $50!

Do I really lose my remote that often? And what's wrong with always watching the same channel anyways?

What happens if I lose the EZ Find?

And the final question is the killer. I suspect this won't sell very well, but I suppose I've been wrong before. Here's the EZ Find ad for your enjoyment:

Now where are my keys so I can get out of here?...

HairLites.

2009-07-20T07:42:00.001-05:00

Hair Lites. The at-home, easy-to-use hair highlighter. Only $19.95. Love it!

When I go to the Aveda Salon for highlights, I never walk out the door without paying at least $200. This product I'm willing to try out, even though I have low expectations in my own ability to give myself good highlights...can it really be that easy?

Some other "at-home" products I'd like to see on television...

At-Home Tattoo Kit

At-Home Piercing Kit

Just PLEASE...PLEASE...watch the instructional videos in their entirety before using...it's not as easy as it looks!

Twist Away Hair Removal - OUCH!

2009-07-17T08:49:00.001-05:00

Ouch! I have a few painful memories that really stick out.

Losing a toenail in a marathon.
Accidentally spraying sunscreen in my eye.
Waxing.
Watching The View.
Realizing that I'm not in high enough of a tax bracket to be upset with Obama's tax hike.
And...getting my arm hair stuck in a spring...there was nothing I could do to avoid pulling out a couple dozen hairs...Yikes!

I'm happy to announce that if you look for ways to torture yourself, a brand new product gently rolls across your body and pulls all the hair out from its roots. It's a path of pain. With waxing, you get all the pain over in a flash. But if that's not good enough for you, try out the Twist Away Hair Removal system to slowly and methodically pull hairs out one by one.

Value Option. If you really like this product, but can't afford the $15, you can buy a competitive product at Home Depot for $0.79. Don't say I never did anything for you.

Discovery Channel's Pitchmen picked up for 2nd season!

2009-07-16T10:01:00.002-05:00

Breaking News. With the passing of our friend, Billy Mays, many of you have asked me if Pitchmen would be returning for a second season. Disovery Channel has just confirmed that they will in fact be bringing back Anthony Sullivan for a second season, and Billy's son, Billy Mays III will be closely involved in the production. That's great news for As Seen On TV Fans!

Discovery Channel sent out the below press release earlier this week:

[07.14.09 - 04:16 PM]SECOND SEASON OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S PITCHMEN IS A GOReleased by Discovery
[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]
SECOND SEASON OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S PITCHMEN IS A GO
- Encore Presentation of PITCHMAN: A TRIBUTE TO BILLY MAYS to Air July 24 at 10PM ET/PT -
Discovery Channel's PITCHMEN, the 12-part series that featured the late Billy Mays II and his business partner, Anthony 'Sully' Sullivan, will be back for a second season. Because of the success of the series first season, and as a tribute to Mays' legacy, the show will continue. PITCHMEN, which is produced by Original Productions, a division of Freemantle Media, took viewers behind the curtain into the billion dollar infomercial industry, as Mays and Sullivan helped everyday men and women bring their inventions to the masses. Discovery Channel is developing the format of season two with Mays' son, Billy Mays III, Anthony Sullivan and Thom Beers, CEO of Original Productions. More information will be announced as it becomes available. A premiere date for season two of PITCHMEN hasn't yet been set.
PITCHMAN: A TRIBUTE TO BILLY MAYS, which first premiered on Discovery Channel on July 9, will re-air Friday, July 24 at 10PM ET/PT. The special pays tribute to the larger-than-life infomercial pioneer - the products he launched, the numerous inventors he helped, and how this family man from Pittsburgh became a household name, ultimately redefining television ad sales.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 98.1 million viewers in the US, can be seen in over 170 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISAD, DISBD, DISCK) is the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
Original Productions
Founded by Thom Beers in 1997, Original Productions produces authentic non-fiction programming featuring everyday heroes in extraordinary situations, including mega-series Deadliest Catch and new hit phenomenon Pitchmen. Beers' steadfast focus on top-notch storytelling with engaging personalities in high risk circumstances has produced more than 1,000 hours of original programming since the company's inception. In February 2009, a majority stake in the company was purchased by FremantleMedia, one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company.

A Tribute to Billy Mays.

2009-06-29T11:55:00.003-05:00

Billy Mays has been entertaining millions on national television since he first sold OxiClean and Orange Glo on HSN in 1996. Since then, no one has had as great an impact on advertising as Billy Mays. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Billy and to his family and friends. All who knew Billy personally know that he was a great pitchman, perhaps the best we'll ever know, not because he was loud or because of his signature smile but because Billy was a great person. I first met Billy at an OxiClean advertising shoot in 2005. I last saw him at the Response Expo in San Diego in May, 2009. When he was swarmed with friends and fans, he yelled my name to catch my attention and gave me a firm handshake and a smile. Billy was a genuine friend, even to those that came across him only a couple of times each year. Thank you Billy for your inspiration, not only as a pitchman, but as a true friend. Out of the highest respect to Billy, I'd like to share some of the best spots Billy ever did. They portray only a small part of his huge personality. Hopefully, you'll get a glimpse into his energy, his eagerness to help others and his honesty.

TV will never be the same!

Billy Mays dies at age 50

2009-06-28T22:47:00.003-05:00

Shocking and sad news for all of us. Billy Mays has died at the young age of 50. He leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. My condolences to his family and all who knew this iconic figure and great man.

Details of his passing are still sparse, but FOXNews posted what information we do know a few hours ago.

'Infomercial King' Billy Mays Found Dead in Home - Celebrity Gossip Entertainment News Arts And Entertainment - FOXNews.com
'Infomercial King' Billy Mays Found Dead in Home - Celebrity Gossip Entertainment News Arts And Entertainment - FOXNews.comPosted using ShareThis

Interview with an infomercial king

2009-06-26T11:20:00.003-05:00

Telebrands CEO A.J. Khubani gave an extensive interview to USA Today regarding the DRTV industry and how inventors can reap huge rewards by bringing their products to Telebrands or a similar company for nationwide marketing. The interview gives a great behind-the-scenes look into the fast-growing infomercial world. A.J. reveals that his private company spent over $300MM on television advertising last year, more than nearly all major consumer product companies. With that advertising spend, you can estimate Telebrands revenues at $750MM to $1 Billion, including retail and international. Wow!

The great news is that if you have an invention of your own and can't get an audience with TeleBrands, it only costs a few thousand dollars to work with a proven advertising producer and get your product on national television. If it makes money, TeleBrands and their counterparts will be knocking down your doors to license your product. I've had a few friends go this route with great success. The producer I know best is Harvest Group in Colorado (www.harvestgrowth.com), but there are a few others as well.

You can read the full USA Today front-page article HERE.

Or see A.J.'s interview below:

Cozy

2009-06-23T11:49:00.005-05:00

Cozy. Interesting product. Huge offer! ...that makes for a powerful combination. It's certainly not as entertaining of a product as the Snuggie, but I can see myself using the Cozy more frequently. If the Cozy is truly as relaxing as these actors make it appear, I will use one for those office cat-naps I take all too often.

I'm not sure I've ever seen an offer quite this extensive...for $19.99, they somehow give you a stuffed neck pillow, an inflatable travel pillow insert, a Cozy "arm hammock," a fleece blanket, a fleece scarf, an eye mask and a travel case. I recently purchased a neck pillow in the airport for $20 by itself!

Comfort Wipe. Funniest ad of the year?

2009-06-19T06:05:00.000-05:00

Comfort Wipe. Intrigued? One of my all-time favorite lines from any movie is in Adam Sandler's Big Daddy, when the little boy gets all excited and exclaims "I wipe my own A#@, I wipe my own A#@!" That is a monumental achievement in a child's life. The first wipe. For parents, it's an even more monumental occasion since it's the last time they will have to wipe their bums for them. Over the course of several decades, though, wiping your rear gets less and less exciting. I must say that I actually don't even enjoy the experience any longer. However, I do look forward with worry and anxiety for the day that I will no longer be able to wipe myself. For those that are getting closer to that undesireable destination, there's now a product that promises to give you a few extra days of control...a few extra days where you can still wipe yourself without help from the attending nurse. I guess for even a few extra days, I would pay anything. Yes, this is a REAL product...check out their website.

Pitchmen - Green Now

2009-06-18T11:12:00.008-05:00

Pitchmen - Green Now. Love it! Last night on The Discovery Channel's Pitchmen, Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan pitched a new product from Allstar Marketing (from Snuggie fame...) called Green Now! The crux of the idea is that you can spray paint your lawn to look green even though it isn't really green. For those of us born without a green thumb, this product is perfect. And it looks like it actually turns your thumb green when you use it, just as would an aerosol can of spray paint. The secret to Green Now! is that is also includes a fertilizer in its formulation so you not only fix the immediate problem, but you help to grow new, "real" green grass where the brown spots once were. Sign me up!

Upsells. You know when you call in, the companies always try to sell you complementary stuff that you really don't need, but they are at prices so compelling, you can't pass them up, right? Well, with Green Now, everything is different. Take a look at these perfectly completmentary products.

If you like spray on grass, you'll LOVE spray on hair!

If you are still on the phone, then you'll definitely LOVE spray on abs!

Kevin Trudeau - infomercial scam artist or hero?

2009-06-09T12:16:00.004-05:00

Kevin Trudeau. He's good. He's very good. There's just something about the way he pitches a product. I want to believe him. I want to like him. Even though he's been "busted" by the FTC several times for fraudulent advertising claims. In 1995, I purchased a product off of TV for the first time, Kevin Trudeau's Mega Memory. It was a series of cassette tapes that promised to improve your memory...who doesn't need that! Overall, it seemed like a pretty good system. I listened to the entire program. I filled out the entire workbook...and it seemed to work pretty well. It was basically a summary of all the standard memory tricks for remembering people's names, etc., but it worked as well as any other system, I imagine.

Well, after being banned from the air waves - a ruling came down several years ago that Kevin couldn't sell anything on TV with the exception of books (huh?). Rather than being beaten down by this hurdle, he went on to sell millions of copies of "Natural Cures They Don't Want You To Know About." This was followed up by his smashing success, "Debt Cures They Don't Want You To Know About." Next came "The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You To Know About." You get the idea. I've heard from a very reliable source on YouTube that he's ready to launch one of the following as his next big success:

Federal Stimulus Package Cures They Don't Want You To Know About
Global Warming Cures They Don't Want You To Know About
Cures For Infomercial Scams I Don't Want You To Know About

It's easy to judge Kevin Trudeau. I wrote him off years ago when I first heard about his chastisement from the FTC. However, a recent ruling came down against him for $37MM in response to supposed fraudulent claims made in his "Weight Loss Cure"advertising. Read his bio on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Trudeau), and you're sure to come to the same conclusion...BUT, watch this video of a recent "television" interview and you may change your mind...a great example of just how convincing he can be...even when you want to hate him...

There are several more videos in the long interview...I just wanted to give you a small taste here...

Shark Tank - new reality show for entrepreneurs

2009-06-05T11:54:00.005-05:00

Shark Tank. A new reality show is coming our way this fall. If you like the Discovery Channel's Pitchmen, then you'll love Shark Tank! It's not a new concept. Actually, it looks like an exact copy of the BBC's Dragon's Den. However, since we get all of our best shows from the U.K. (The Office, The Office, and a few others...), I have high hopes. Also, with Survivor's and The Apprentice's Mark Burnett as the executive producer, we're sure to have compelling content.

Shark Tank is essentially a forum where inventors pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors in an attempt to convince these millionaire investors to share their own money to launch the entrepreneurs' dreams. The panelist that is sure to capture our attention is Kevin Harrington. As the founder of OmniReliant Holdings, Kevin has been a mainstay in the DRTV industry for years. You may remember it was his brother that funded the Dual Saw on Pitchmen a few weeks back.

Check out the trailer for the show:

...and compare with the U.K. version, Dragon's Den:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/

Pitchmen - iCan Health Insurance + Awesome Auger

2009-06-03T19:13:00.002-05:00

Pitchmen, June 3, 2009. Nothing really new this week. Did Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan run out of new product ideas? We've all seen both of the ads they focused on during Pitchmen today, iCan Health Insurance and Awesome Auger. Both great ads, and the Awesome Auger continues to be a huge DR hit as we roll into the summer months. I'm starting to question the results they claim on Pitchmen...each week, they seem to have one monster hit, but I haven't seen many of them show up on the rankings, or show up often on my television for that matter...So I'll just give you my raw opinion of the ads.
iCan Health Insurance: Pure genius. Getting Billy Mays involved in an insurance ad was a very creative idea. We have so many insurance options, and most of us are hesitant to trust a brand we're not familiar with. iCan smartly linked up with Billy to bring credibility to the company. Also, the positioning of the ad is ideal for our economic times...healthy insurance for everyone. I haven't seen this ad show up in the rankings, but I'm sure it will be a continued success if the business that backs it up is legitimate...or until our U.S. government starts to provide free insurance to everyone...

New Awesome Auger: Seasonal products don't work on DR. Power tools cannot be successful in a 2-minute infomercial. We've heard claims like these before, and, frankly, I'm surprised Billy took on this product in the first place. However, ever since its first airing, the Awesome Auger has been a steady hit each summer, and 2009 appears to be no different. Is it Billy's attention grabbing personality? Is it because of the powerful demos that make it look like your household drill can rip up even the toughest problems in your backyard? I'm not sure, but this is certainly one of those ads you can't turn off when it comes on. Expertly done, and very compelling...not that I'll ever buy an Auger, but I still love the entertainment value of the ad...

Wonder Vase

2009-06-01T13:41:00.002-05:00

Wonder Vase. Cool idea. In a nutshell, Wonder Vase is a moldable plastic flower vase. If you want a beautiful vase to show off in your home for years to come, this is not what you're looking for. However, giving flowers isn't just about beauty. When you're looking for a fun way to display flowers, you've found it in the Wonder Vase. This is the ideal vase for "crafty" moms or kids. You can really have fun with it. I don't think they captured the "fun" aspect enough in their infomercial, so I don't believe it will ever be a hit, but if they tweaked the spot to focus on how Wonder Vase helps you to interact with your flowers and enjoy them more as an "experience" then it could be a real winner. Also, you don't always need 20 uses for every product...the travel idea...I just don't get it...

Spin Gym - Easier than the Hawaii Chair!

2009-05-26T08:43:00.001-05:00

As Seen on PITCHMEN May 27, 2009...
Spin Gym. "It doesn't look like you're doing much..." Yes, that is an actual quote from the spot, and pretty much sums it all up. I love this product. Ingenious. I'm just a bit skeptical that it will do much of anything. I guess it probably works as well as the Health Rider that my grandpa bought from an infomercial in the 80's...and I suppose they are, as usual, targeting the couch workout crowd...

If the pricing in the ad is a bit high for you, I've found a way to make your own for cheap. Just use a button and a string, as shown by this 6-year old girl, and pull the string tight to see the button spin. It's fun AND a workout!Unlike the Spin Gym, the button and string gym does NOT promise results, so don't email me to get your $0.05 back! See one unsatisfied customer below, and be warned.

Mighty Blast

2009-05-25T09:15:00.000-05:00

Mighty Blast. Cool. I know, we're only allowed to have one absolute favorite product, and my favorite is still the OUT Instant Stain Remover, but Mighty Blast is pretty darn cool. "Blast away stains from up to 6 feet away!" The product looks pretty simple. Spill something disgusting on your carpet, then grab this 1970's looking aerosol can and spray the stain until it completely disappears. My only question, stolen from the blockbuster infomercial film, "Envy" is "where does the $*#@ go?" In the hugely entertaining film, Va-POOH-Rize makes $*#@ disappear...literally. Mighty Blast makes any stain, not limited to $*@# vanish. I still may ask where it goes, but I really don't care. This product is cool!
www.mightyblast.com *

*Legal Disclaimer: Madison Keane, and all affiliates of www.AsSeenOnTVFan.com had absolutely nothing to do with the marketing of Mighty Blast. Additionally, Mighty Blast and all affiliates of said company are not paying Madison Keane in any form. However, if they would like to pay Madison Keane for the great exposure from her honest response, she will most likely return their email request favorably. But no matter what, her opinions expressed herein remain her honest opinions. Mighty Blast rules!

Wearable Towel - Snuggie for the shower

2009-05-22T13:22:00.001-05:00

Wearable Towel. Hilarious. Honestly, who could have predicted that the blanket with sleeves would have been the infomercial phenomenon of the decade? With that in mind, I refuse to say that the towel with arm holes won't be a success. However, that won't stop me from saying that the Wearable Towel is a weird idea...and a hilarious ad.
The venerable Snuggie is just a backwards robe. I'm sorry to spoil it for you if that wasn't clear to you before, but it's pretty clear unless you've never danced in a backwards robe before. The Wearable Towel is, however, a 100% new idea. There has never been a mass-marketed towel with arm holes before...but that doesn't mean that it's a good idea. See if you can keep up while I explain the complexities behind why the Snuggie is a HUGE success, and the Wearable Towel....well, not so much. Yes, you could wear a bathrobe backwards if you want to keep warm while sitting on the couch and working the remote control, but you wouldn't wear a robe backwards to keep warm. Whereas, you CAN wear a robe after you towel off in the bathroom, and it will provide all the benefits of the Wearable Towel without looking weird. I own a robe, so I won't buy a Wearable Towel.
Now for my male audience. If you want to be cool, sexy, fun, exciting and hopelessly interesting, then buy a Wearable Towel and wear it as a toga when you go to the beach. Then, please take pictures of yourself at the beach and send to me. I will gladly share with my thousands of readers to show just how cool you are.
http://www.wearabletowel.com/

Pitchmen - Billy Mays' Tool Band-It vs. GrabIt

2009-05-20T23:50:00.003-05:00

Pitchmen. On the 5/20 episode of Pitchmen, Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan pitched two tool products head to head. Although, I'm much more of a PedEgg pedicure kind of woman, these two particular tool products are pretty intriguing. As we've seen and learned time and time again, successful infomercial products solve problems that everyday Americans face. The Tool Band-It is basically a HUGE magnet that wraps around your arm like a blood pressure monitor. The goal is to keep all of your tools, nails, screws, and whatever else you use to hang a picture or fix a toilet, always within reach. Kind of like a tool belt, but with magnets. It's got magnets you see! Just be sure to avoid using the Tool Band-It around anything metal like metal framing, ladders, door handles, sharp knives or jewelry...
Tool Band-It:

Grab-It. Sadly, I am unable to link their video here, but you can check out the Grab-Itinfomercial at http://www.4grabit.com/. Now This is truly a unique idea! Unless you are a professional carpenter, I guarantee that you have stripped quite a few screws in your day...and if you are a professional carpenter, you have certainly stripped even more screws. The GrabIt simply removes stripped screws. Nuff Said. But if you really want to see what else can be said in a -minute infomercial, check out their website.

Blox - Jason Williams

2009-05-19T04:34:00.000-05:00

Blox. OK. I've said it before, I really like Blox. The demos are incredible! I just saw new talent for Blox on HSN. I say, bring back Jason! He was such a good host...I actually miss him. I'll keep my eyes out for him with other products. I've posted two videos, one with Jason, and one with the new "other" talent. I think you'll agree which one is best...see what a difference the host makes? I can say that because I know that I would be a HORRIBLE host! Enjoy...

Jason Williams:

"Other" Talent:

Neckline Slimmer - sit-ups for your neck

2009-05-18T02:48:00.000-05:00

Neckline Slimmer. As we age, our necks start to droop...or so I'm told. The same thing happens to our butts, our stomachs, and pretty much the rest of our bodies. We have purchased millions of exercise products and videos to tighten our rears, flex our fronts and to remove our cream filling from our insides. Some work and some don't, but until today, no one has solved the problem of how to slim down our sagging necks. I suppose we could stand to lose some weight, and that would help, but if I want to have a "ripped" neck, there just isn't a simple solution.

Manual workouts can be painful...

Yoga sounds good...but I'm not sure I'm really into it...

Ahhhh...but now there's an easier way to go from this to that (and apparently, the device will help you lose weight all over your face...)

I suppose they can explain better than I can...

Dot-A-Lot...Train Wreck?

2009-05-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

Dot-A-Lot. Some ads are effective because you just can't turn away when they are aired. I like to call these spots "train wrecks..."

...not an original phrase, I know, but it couldn't be more fitting for the new Dot-A-Lot ad. The music and announcer are non-stop, in-your-face and INCREDIBLY ANNOYING! IN FACT, FOR ME, WATCHING THIS AD IS LIKE READING AN EMAIL WRITTEN IN ALL-CAPS...ANNOYING ISN'T IT?!? With all that said, is this really what kids' products are coming to? I remember when I was growing up that I could entertain myself for hours with just a paper and pencil. Sometimes, we couldn't even afford the pencil. But today, there is an endless supply of tools to help aspiring artists begin their careers as soon as they are old enough to wipe their own behinds. Dot-A-Lot clearly makes a lot of dots, but it should receive more praise for making me so dizzy that I couldn't dial the phone to purchase... I don't think I'm alone. When I went to http://www.getdotalot.com/ to check it out, the site is no longer available. Maybe I mistyped the address...I don't know...I'm still a bit dizzy.

Pitchmen - Spot Sucker and Heel Stick

2009-05-14T12:34:00.002-05:00

Pitchmen. Last night on Billy Mays' and Anthony Sullivan's Pitchmen show in The Discovery Channel, we saw a cute story about Kyle Myhra, a 17-year old boy from Colorado, that won the hearts of Billy and Sully. They took him all over the country to help him pitch his products to TeleBrands, Idea Village and Media Enterprises. A very cute story, and clearly, Billy and Sully were sucked in by the story. The product itself may never make it big, but it's great to see young inventors giving everything they have to chase a dream. And, none of us can predict the hits 100% of the time, so if Billy really gets behind this, it just may work. Kyle holds his own, annd may be a future pitchman himself. Check out this local Colorado news story on Kyle:

Heel Stick. I reviewed the Heel Stick ad in March, 2009. I wasn't singing it's praises, primarily because I REALLY don't like looking at feet...especially in HD! However, according to last night's airing of Pitchmen, the media test for Heel Stick was a success - a 2.5 ratio, or $25,000 in revenue for every $10,000 spent on media. I'm surprised to see that their website isn't showing up early on Google...so I'm hoping the product continues to be successful. I'd love to see more of the Pitchmen ads successful, so here's hoping they start to show up. Check out the ad:

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Eye Treatments

2009-05-12T11:11:00.002-05:00

Rapid Lash vs. Hydrolyze Eye Treatment. Once upon a time, there were two infomercials hawking similar products. Similar benefits were promised- "make your eyes prettier...sexier..." Similar pricing was offered. But they couldn't have been more different in the way they were sold to the public. Last week, both products introduced new infomercials. Beautiful eyes, and beautiful women were the intent from both, but the visuals didn't necessarily portray the end result. As I watched the Rapid Lash spot, I couldn't help but focus on the ugly wrinkles on the extreme close-ups. In fact, the wrinkles were so distracting that I didn't manage to see the real difference between the "before" and "after." Their website does a much better job of communicating the benifits.

On the contrary, the Hydrolyze Eye Treatment was expertly executed. Beautiful eyes...beautiful models. If I didn't already have perfect eyes with no wrinkles of my own, which is why I feel so comfortable judging the wrinkles of others, then I would be tempted to buy. When you watch these ads, pay attention to the difference. You can easily predict which will be the hit.

Rapid Lash:

Hydrolyze:

OUT - Gets the Stains Out!

2009-05-09T11:48:00.001-05:00

OUT....Wow! I think we've found the new Oxi Clean. Cleaning products have been boring for the past several years, even Billy May's cleaning product ads are much tamer than they used to be. Finally, I found a product that delivers powerful cleaning demos that seem almost too good to be true. OUT Paste (http://www.outpaste.com/) is a brand new product I found this weekend that showcases truly instantaneous stain removal. The difference is that the demos are shown in real time, unlike the questionable before/afters or fancy camera switches ala ShamWow. OUT Paste looks like the real thing. Can it really work this well? I'm eager to hear about your usage experience. I'll certainly be posting mine as soon as I can get my hands on a tube.

Check out the amazing demos in this infomercial:

Obama Stamps

2009-05-08T12:52:00.007-05:00

Obama Stamps. But not real stamps. "These stamps are for collectible, souvenir and personal usage only. They cannot be used as U.S. postage." This statement is, of course, only in the fine print. This is not a political website, but if it were, I could discuss this new infomercial product in one of two ways...please bear with me:

Liberal website: Today marks a monumental day in the history of this country. 40 years after Martin Luther King and 145 years after the death of Abraham Lincoln, we have an African American man as the leader of the free world. Hope and change. Those are the promises with

which Barack H. Obama inspired our nation during his campaign, and those were the first two promises he kept. In the dire economic situation that our 44th President inherited

from the less capable George W. Bush, Barack gives us hope that things will get better. And hope is exactly what we need to keep us going as we lose our jobs at alarming rates and lose our homes to predatory lenders. Change was announced. Change was discussed. And Change is happening. Finally, we have a House, as Senate and a President that can work together to effect real change. Health Care reform. Equality for all. A change in the way we perceive ourselves and in the way we are perceived in the international community. "Yes, we can" started as a stump speech to inspire us to hope for a better world and to give us the confidence that our government could help us change our individual lives. Today, you can celebrate in pride by purchasing 20 $1 commemorative stamps to be proudly used on packages, post cards, letters and to be saved for future generations. There's no upcharge on this one, you simply pay the face value for the stamps and continue to be inspired for the rest of Barack's 2 terms as President and for the rest of your lives as a proud member of the international community.

Conservative website: After only 100 troublesome days in office, Barack Hussein Obama is already being commemorated with a fitting souvenir. Never before has a sitting President of the United States of America been featured in so many late-night infomercials, unless yo

u count the liberal whacko's selling comedy DVDs of George W. Bush or Bill Clinton's appearance in Girls Gone Wild. Only 4 months into his first (and hopefully last) term in office, Barack is featured on the "Yes We Can" Collectible Self-Sticking Stamp set. For only $19.99, you'll get 20 stamps, featuring images of Barack and his wife Michelle. Each stamp has a face value of $1, so it sounds like a great deal, right? Well...similar to Barack himself, the stamps aren't really worth as much as they claim to be. When you read the fine print, you learn that "these stamps are for collectible, souvenir and personal usage only. They cannot be used as U.S. postage." In other words, they have "$1" printed on them, but no one would actually give you $1 to buy them from you. They have no dollar value. They are stickers...but each sticker costs $1. Personally, I like the idea because they are a symbol of our great leader. They appear to have value, but when you read the fine print, there's nothing there, and when you try to trade them for something of value, you're told that there is no money back guarantee. Luckily, the stamps only cost $20, whereas Barack has already cost $9 Trillion. I'll take the stamps any day of the week!

Speaking non-politically, again, I can't wait to see if these are successful. It's been amazing to see how many different collectible items have already been sold since President Obama first took office. This isn't the best I've seen, but I guess you never know what will work.

www.buymyobamastamps.com

What Odor? - You saw it here first!

2009-05-07T15:13:00.000-05:00

Who needs to watch Pitchmen on the Discovery Channel when you can see all the new DRTV spots on this site? We reviewed Billy Mays' What Odor product way back in March when it first launched...check out what we had to say:

5 good spots this week!
1. What Odor? - brand new from Billy Mays
2. Blox - repels stains, magical demos
3. Dishworx - like a normal brush, but now more expensive
4. Windshield Wonder - if you have short arms, you have to see this one!
5. Finally Fast - #2 product in recent rankings, with new $450 ad

What Odor? - Are you tired of Febreze and other air fresheners that don't have Billy Mays as a spokesman? Introducing Fresh Odor! It's exactly the same, except for the packaging that was designed by Billy's 8 year old niece. There's no need to wash your clothes anymore, even if you're sprayed by a skunk, simply spray it on and you'll be asking, "what odor?" With every purchase, they'll plant a tree (huh???). If they promised to kill a skunk with every purchase, I'd be more tempted...but in case you're still interested, you can buy the product at http://www.whatodor.com/.

Blox. Not a new product, but this is a brand new ad. Now this is one cool product. It reminds me of OxiClean back in the late 90's when they were more edgy. "Blox blocks hundreds of stains!" You have to see some of these demos...the stains literally roll off the shirt. This new spot features a new host, but I like the old one better. Check out Jason Williams on HSN directly below the new ad. He used to be the host for the old ads. What can I say, I'm a sucker for British guys. If you're interested in the product, check out http://www.preventstains.com/. Which host do you prefer?

Dishworx. If you have dirty dishes, then you need Dishworx! Unless of course you already have one of those $1.99 brushes from the grocery store, then you really don't need Dishworx. If you ever wished you had a more complex way to clean your dishes, this is it! I must admit, I like the concept. It's kind of a knock of of the SonicScrubber (http://www.sonicscrubber.com/), one of my all-time favorites. The Dishworx demos are pretty cool, and if you call within 30 seconds of seeing the ad, you'll probably end up buying. However, if you take a few extra seconds to think about this one, you'll realize that it would be easier to clean off your dishes under the faucet with a cheap, but trusty brush. (http://www.mydishworx.com/)

Winshield Wonder. Do you have trouble reaching the inside of your windshield to get it clean? Do you wish you had a gadget that could extend your reach 4 MORE INCHES! Are you looking for one more contraption that you'll forget you have within the first week?...Then the Windshield Wonder is for you! The concept is funnier than the ad, but it's still worth checking out. (http://www.buywindshieldwonder.tv/)

FinallyFast.com. This website has had the #2 ranked ad for the past several weeks. For some reason, they decided to produce a new spot, and it appears that they have a production budget of less than $500 to produce the ad. This one is worth watching just to see that you apparently don't need to make a high quality ad to make millions off of TV. Who wants to loan me $500 so I can finally produce an ad for my invention, a blanket with sleeves?

Billy Mays' Quick Chop, a Slap Chop Parody??

2009-05-07T08:52:00.002-05:00

Quick Chop. Brand new this past week, Billy introduced the Quick Chop. The product is EXACTLY the SAME as Vince Offer/Schlomi's Slap Chop. Can we take a moment to analyze the egos of these pitchmen? First, Billy launches Zorbeez...then Vince copies and blows Billy out of the water with the Sham Wow....then Vince launches the Slap Chop...and is copied within months with Billy's Quick Chop. The winning product? We'll have to wait and see, but my money is the on Slap Chop...Billy followed too soon.

This product has quite a history. A similar device was first launched in the 1960's as the Chop-o-Matic by infomercial legend, and the original TV pitchman, Ron Popeil. This was the first of many products that Ron Popeil sold over TV as the true pioneer of the infomercial. The Chop-o-Matic was a huge success then...why not try it again 50 years later??? Sadly, we're seeing less and less true innovation in infomercial products each year.

Check out the timeline of products through their fascinating videos below...first Ronco's Chop-o-Matic, then the Slap Chop, and finally, Billy May's brand new Quick Chop.

Ronco Chop-O-Matic
Uploaded by DwightFrye

Pitchmen - Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan on Rachel Ray

2009-05-06T08:41:00.000-05:00

Rachel Ray had the ever-increasingly famous infomercial heroes Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan on her show on April 15. I've attached a clip for your enjoyment. She challenges them to pitch coffee cups and insulating sleeves (you know, the ones you get for free at Starbucks...). They do a great job at pulling in a crowd, though I'm sure the Rachel Ray camera crew had something to do with it. If you ever see an expert pitchman in action at a home show, they are equally as successful....Anthony Sullivan sums it up expertly, "Life's a pitch, then you buy."

Remember to catch Pitchmen tonight on the Discovery Channel.

CNBC Special - As Seen On TV - $150 BILLION Industry

2009-05-05T13:30:00.000-05:00

This first aired on 4/22/09, and can be seen on Hulu (http://www.hulu.com/) or at the link below in its entirety. For infomercial fans, like us, this is as good as it gets. The video embedded below is 43 minutes long, but you can watch it in pieces and still enjoy it. Catch interviews with Ron Popeil (the father of all pitchmen), Billy Mays, the inventor of the Clapper and Chia Pet, the CEO of All Star Marketing (Snuggie, Topsy Turvy...) and MORE!

Dryer Fresh - with Joe Fowler

2009-05-04T02:49:00.000-05:00

Dryer Fresh. I've heard of products that supposedly remove wrinkles without ironing, but I've been skeptical since most are more pain then they're worth. The Downy Wrinkle Release requires you to spray each garment and individually pull out each and every wrinkle...ugh! Today, I saw a spot for the first time advertising a brand new product, Dryer Fresh. Spray it on your blouse, throw in the dryer, and wrinkles will disappear. If it works, then it's a brilliant idea! I'm sick of ironing. I'm sick of expensive dry cleaners. I'm tired of pulling a dress out of my closet only to have it covered with wrinkles! Look at me, I'm starting to sound just like the ad. With a $10 BOGO, I guess I can't lose...if you want to check it out, go to http://www.buydryerfresh.com/. This ad is brand new, so I haven't seen the product in any retail stores yet.

You have to love Joe Fowler in this ad. Joe is just as energetic as Billy Mays, but so much more pleasant. Joe was made famous by the NuWave Oven (http://www.mynuwaveoven.com/) which has been a big 30 minute infomercial for years.

Billy Mays cuts Dana Carvey to shreds

2009-05-01T15:37:00.000-05:00

Billy Mays appeared on the Tonight Show after Dana Carvey, usually a very funny character. Watch Billy's unbeatable personality overshadow both Jay Leno and Dana Carvey. Maybe Billy should have his own show??? I guess we'll have to see a head to head with Conan O'Brien to be sure.

Jupiter Jack - Billy Mays' new product featured on Pitchmen

2009-04-30T11:18:00.002-05:00

Jupiter Jack. Last night on The Discovery Channel's Pitchmen show, the Jupiter Jack was declared a winner. The device is simple - plug into your cell phone and every car within 25 feet will be able to listen to your conversation if they turn their radios to 88.7 FM. That is unless the device isn't compatible with your particular radio, as was the case with at least one of the cars tested during the filming of Pitchmen. Still, mark me at my word that this will be a big hit in 2009...it has Billy Mays, Telebrands, a cheap price and a high demand since several states are making it illegal to drive while holding your cell phone. For $10, who's going to return it?

www.buyjupiterjack.com I'm only 4 to 6 weeks away from owning my own Jupiter Jack!

Billy Mays on Nightline

2009-04-29T14:47:00.000-05:00

Billy Mays is no longer just a pitchman. He's a star! Check out the Nightline story from a week or so back to get a behind the scenes look at what it's like to be a pitchman...notice that Billy never turns off his pitch. Billy Mays fans are lucky...we're seeing more and more of him in line with the launch of his new show, Pitchman on the Discovery Channel. Be sure to set your TiVo each Wednesday night.
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7417152

Dual Saw with Billy Mays + Anthony Sullivan

2009-04-27T15:25:00.001-05:00

Dual Saw. This product was featured on last week's Pitchmen on the Discovery Channel. Here's a 6 minute cut from the Dual Saw 30 minute infomercial starrting both Billy Mays AND Anthony Sullivan. The demos are incredible! I am no home improvement expert, but I could barely hold myself back from ordering my own Dual Saw...I'm still not sure what I'll use it for, but doesn't it look like a ton of fun!

Funny products

2009-04-24T11:58:00.000-05:00

I haven't seen any of these on TV, but they are hilarious products. Any one of them would surely have won my free iPod contest...so let me know if you see other funny products out there.

Hair cutting umbrella. So you don't have to take off your Snuggie whilst getting a hair cut.

Lotion Applicator. Personally, I prefer that the man in my life applies lotion to my back, but when he's not available, I'll just live with the tiny dry skin patch that I can't quite reach on my own.

Pants Stretcher. A Thanksgiving dream. Maybe that's why you don't have a significant other in your life that can rub lotion on your back for you!

See more funny As Seen On TV products at http://www.harrietcarter.com/.

CelluScience - "Science Never Looked So Sexy"

2009-04-22T10:24:00.003-05:00

CelluScience. "Science never looked so sexy." Their line, not mine. Although, I will agree that their ad is all about sex. They promise to get rid of Cellulite...I'm a bit young to worry about cellulite...yet. BUT, I know it's a huge problem for everyone. If the product really works, then it's a phenomenal breakthrough. You just need to watch out for a few industry tricks. Diet pill companies are usually the sleaziest of all infomercial companies. They overpromise, and sometimes outright lie. There is one "company" that gets sued every time they introduce a new product. Their strategy is to simply change the name of the company and introduce a similar product with a new name...sleazy. Another strategy of these companies is to trick you into joining a monthly "continuity" program where they send you a new bottle of pills every 30 days and automatically charge your credit card. This can be a very helpful program when it's carried out openly and honestly, as the Proactiv (www.proactiv.com) company does.

However, if you go to http://www.getcelluscience.com/ and check out their shopping cart, the pricing is very deceiving. They promise you one month free, but charge you $67.99 for the first month (I guess month #3 is free???). They also conceal the fact that you will be signed up for a payment of $67.99 every 30 days! You can always cancel, but by that time, they will likely have bilked you out of $130 or more. Be wary. Be very, very wary...but still check out the ad, it's pretty funny, especially when you realize what kind of company they are.

Impact Gel - Winning "Pitchmen" spot

2009-04-21T08:57:00.001-05:00

Impact Gel. Sure to be a classic Billy Mays spot. A similar spot has been on the air for a couple of months, but they just released a new version this past week coinciding with the product being featured on Billy Mays' and Anthony Sullivan's new Discovery Channel show, Pitchmen. Over 200,000 sets have been sold to date, and they don't appear to be slowing down. Two demos are incredible in this spot, and are surely driving the success of the product: Billy smashing his hand with a hammer and Billy's hand getting run over with a car, both with no harm because of the Impact Gel technology. Something I learned watching Pitchmen last week was that Anthony's hand was the hand getting run over...a great sneak peek into how some of these demos are pulled off without harming the talent...truly a masterful spot. http://www.buyimpactgel.com/

Be sure to catch Pitchmen Wednesday night on The Discovery Channel at 10pm EST.

Pedi Pistol - most disturbing new spot

2009-04-20T09:25:00.001-05:00

Pedi Pistol. Dumb and Dumber. I'm not saying this product is dumb or dumber, I just think I've seen it before. Remember the scene in Dumb and Dumber where Lloyd gets a pedicure with a grinder? Hilarious, but disgusting scene. Maybe it's just my objection to feet on my 40 inch TV, but this product gets my vote for most disturbing of the week. Very clearly, it targets the obese that can't bend to touch their toes. Listen for the hidden line, "after I got so big, I couldn't reach my toes anymore..." Honestly, I have no problem with that - I just think that they should use these overly obese women in the ad to be completely honest.

Also, I'm sure the company, TeleBrands, a purveyor of some of the most well-know ASOTV products ever sold, is speaking to those of us suffering in this "new economy" that can no longer afford spa pedicures. For those that fit in this ever-growing category, I have come up with my own kit. You can either buy it from me for $19.99, or head to the nearest Walgreens and buy your own for $0.19.

Classic Infomercials

2009-04-17T07:11:00.001-05:00

I found a video that shows some of the all-time classic infomercials. When you're pressed for time, but still want to have a good laugh, check out this video for a snapshot of some of the funniest spots of all-time. My personal favorite is the Hawaii Chair...what's yours?

The next big thing.

2009-04-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

It Works! Quite a claim. It's a claim we've heard in the past, but this product truly looks miraculous. I debuted on QVC on Monday and sold out in its first airing. I found a very similar product in Germany 6 months ago that has become a huge hit in Germany, and it looks like it will be a hit in the U.S. now. I haven't seen an infomercial for this product yet, but with a performance like at on QVC, you'll certainly see it soon.

The demos are unbelievable! It Works! reminds me of OxiClean back in its heyday. Check out the QVC link and see if you agree...be patient with the video download if it's a bit jumpy...it's worth waiting for the download!

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.CM_SCID.24hr.item.V27160.desc.It-Works-MultiStain-Remover-4pc-Kit Click on the "Videos" tab.

Top 5 spots of the week

2009-04-15T10:09:00.002-05:00

Interesting week. I found five brand new spots that are all pretty good. I must say that I like these products, and I believe that a couple of them will be successes.

1. Instant Alarm, home security system, without all the expense.
2. Lock Fresh, inexpensive vacuum sealed food.
3. Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster, teeth whitening without annoying trays.
4. EZ Bundler, new packaging product from Billy Mays.
5. Arm & Hammer 2 in 1 Dryer Sheets, save money and time...

Instant Alarm. Installs in seconds. Cheap. A pretty good product for when you need a security system by don't want to pay $50 every month for the rest of your life. Anthony Sullivan does a good job of selling the features and benefits...I'm sold! http://www.getinstantalarm.com/

Lock Fresh. "Can't afford an expensive vacuum sealer?" No. I can't. Holy cow, those things are expensive. I don't know if this product works, but it's a much better idea than last week's BananaSeal. "Stock it, lock it and pump it." I love these catch phrases...and this item is sure to be a hit! http://www.getlockfresh.com/

Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster. Great idea, but I'm not sure why this is different from whitening toothpaste, other than the fact that you have to add an extra step with the Arm & Hammer product. Plus there's something more concerning about using "extra strength" whitening chemicals with my toothpaste. Am I a worrier just because I don't really want to swallow any of that stuff? www.buywhiteningbooster.com

EZ Bundler. "Bundle everything, fast, neat and easy." "Just zip, click and go!" Classic Billy Mays spot. I was sold before Billy could say "call now." My Home Smart EZ Bundler is on its way...with the "free" second bundler. Now I just need to figure out what to bundle. Any ideas? www.buythebundler.com

Arm & Hammer 2 in 1 Dryer Sheets. Anthony Sullivan for Arm & Hammer? Seems odd, until you realize that Church & Dwight, the owner of Arm & Hammer (and Trojan!) bought OxiClean in 2006. I've noticed several infomercials coming out of that company over the past year...Now they're even using their pitchmen to sell their tried and true Arm & Hammer brand. This concept is great: combine fabric softener and anti-static into one, easy to use dryer sheet. Am I the only one that believes Bounce does the same thing? www.mylaundrybasket.com

Billy Mays on Discovery Channel "Pitchmen" Series

2009-04-14T21:39:00.003-05:00

Be sure to set your TiVo's for 10pm EST to record the Discovery Channel's new show, Pitchmen, starring infomercial greats Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan. A quick teaser to give you a taste of what you can expect:

Here's a great link to view some of the best infomercials ever produced starring either Billy Mays or Anthony Sullivan. Vote for your favorite and see the tallied results...you might be surprised...I was!
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/pitchmen/infomercial-vote/infomercial-vote.html

Water Works...feminine hygiene

2009-04-13T11:05:00.002-05:00

Water Works. I'm sorry. I feel awkward sharing this video, but I feel the world needs to know that products like this are being hawked in infomercials too. Not all spots are lightheartedly funny. Not all are products that you can't live without. Some are just gross. The spot itself isn't that disgusting, as long as you don't understand what the product actually is...which is a safe bet if you're 7 years old. It's 5 minutes long. You don't need to watch the whole thing to get a chuckle, but you likely won't be able to turn it off once it starts. Pay attention to how low your jaw drops, especially when you see the IV bag the device comes with. Again, I'm sorry. http://www.waterworkshealth.com/

Top 5 spots of the week

2009-04-08T08:36:00.004-05:00

Funny. There's one reason that word is in the header banner on this website: infomercials are funny. This week is no disappointment. I found 5 brand new spots that are real doozies!

1. Heart Start home defibrillator, this isn't scary at all.
2. Sponge Tech, how much tech is there really when making sponges?
3. Nature's Nectar, funny, but not for the reasons you're thinking.
4. Newsmax, funny free product giveaway.
5. BananaSeal, nuff said.

Heart Start. Are you tired of not living on the edge? Frustrated with the lack of dangerous products the government will allow you to have in your own home? Perhaps, you're scared that you could have a heart attack any minute? Well now there's Heart Start, the home defibrillator. If your heart stops, this will get it started. In a society where most of us are scared to administer CPR, even on our own family, now you can send 1,000 volts through your loved ones to bring them back to life just like James Bond had to do to rid his body of deadly poison in Casino Royale...it could happen to you too...http://www.amazon.com/heartstart (you'll never guess how much this thing costs!)

Sponge Tech. "When is a sponge not a sponge?" A sponge is always a sponge. That's why they are called sponges, and why they cost about 10 cents a piece! Count how many times they say, "this is not a sponge..." in the ad. You'll quickly discover that they spend a lot of time trying to convince you this is NOT a sponge, so you won't be shocked when you find out you would have to pay $15 for 4 of them. But wait! These sponges have a patented soap infusion so you won't have to add your own soap...huh? Don't forget that you'll get a free Puddle Pal that you can use to wash your kids. What kind of patented chemical is in the Puddle Pal that I'm going to rub all over my baby??? http://spongetechtv.com

Nature's Nectar. "Does your family enjoy feeding hummingbirds as much as we do?" "Remember how much trouble your old hummingbird feeder was?" If you answered yes to either of these ridiculous questions, then please call 877-772-3642. Otherwise, check out the video for a good laugh. I especially love how "simple" it is to set this product up in only 13 steps...

Newsmax. Liberal bias? Yes. Afraid of scare tactics? No. Whether you agree that this magazine is politically slanted in a leftish direction or not...and I'm not picking sides here...you'll find this ad funny. After watching the first 20 seconds of the spot, I sold everything I owned on eBay and moved into the hills to escape terrorist threats. But then I was scared of forest fires, so I decided to bite the bullet and get my free emergency radio from Newsmax. Now I'm sleeping like a baby and don't have a care in the world...except when I turn on my emergency radio and hear all the scary things that are happening in my neighborhood! www.newsmax.com

BananaSeal. It's a Chip Clip. The only difference is that you have to pay shipping and handling. Oh yeah, and the promise that "your food will never go stale." Also, the pitchman is 10 years old, how could you resist? www.bananaseal.com