When you're unemployed you watch more TV than you might if you had a job. Non-prime-time TV watching -- especially during the day and late at night -- means that you get to see ridiculous infomercials when they're actually on and remixed on YouTube. Which you forget when you're talking to your employed friends. It's almost embarrassing. I made an Extenze joke the other day out at dinner. Don't know what Extenze is? Neither did anybody there, so I had to explain that Extenze is a pill (and carbonated beverage!) that makes your male parts bigger and "enhances sexual enjoyment." It's such a bummer that I know that ... and that I've memorized it.
Some infomercials are more interesting than network television. (I don't know if that says more about the state of prime-time television or my bad taste in programming.) In fact, I've learned an awful lot from infomercials. For instance ...
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The Snuggie: Yeah, I own a Snuggie. I didn't get it at Bed Bath and Beyond, I ordered it off the TV like a normal person. I have two, actually, and the matching book lights you get when you "call within 20 minutes." Fun fact: You never actually NEED to call the toll-free number within 20 minutes to get the extras. If they'll throw it in for free at 3 a.m., they'll throw it in for free at 4 p.m. the next day on their Web site. Did you know that you can now order designer Snuggies in zebra and leopard print? It's true!
The Slap Chop and ShamWow!: I've seen enough of these that I know the full name of the Slap Chop/ShamWow! dude. (It's Vince Offer, who was actually born Vince Shlomi.) Vince has had his share of problems lately when he was arrested for having an altercation with a prostitute. Which they don't mention in the infomercial, but which I know because I spend way too much time obsessing about Vince and his products.
Life Alert / Extenze: There's an actor who stars as an operator in an "I've fallen and I can't get up" Life Alert infomercial and as a satisfied customer in the "This could be fun!" Extenze ad, which I find absolutely hilarious. This guy and his giant "enhanced" member will call the fire department if your grandma's house is on fire. He's got a little something for all the ladies, if you know what I mean.
But it doesn't end there. I'm also a certified expert at the Ab Rocket, Air Climber, Aqua Globes, Bendaroos, Bumpitz, the Buxton Bag, The Clapper, EZ Combz, GT Express, MagicJack, Thigh Master, Mighty Mendit, PedEgg, Pedi Paws, the Video Professor and soooo many more. Of these, I own -- along with my Snuggies -- a PedEgg, Pedi Paws, Bendaroos, Buxton Bag, Thigh Master and a GT Express.
Go ahead. Ask me anything.
To Do: Watch something else. (Maybe Nancy Grace. Get obsessed with TotMom instead?)












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Friday 08 May
By John Scherer
Got a kick out of your piece on infomercials.
My lessons don't keep you warm, no reports of them making you, uh, bigger and they're absolutely no good at washing up spills.
But for 22 years they've pretty well teaching you computing!
Infomercials, even in this day of E-Commerce continue to work very well. But the demographics really are a broad spectrum of people, young and old.
You'd think in this 500 channel universe you could just switch away from me or Billy Mays. But likely where you switch, we'll be there too!
John Scherer
"The Video Professor"
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Friday 08 May
By John W. Scherer
Got a kick out of your piece on infomercials.
My lessons don't keep you warm, no reports of them making you, uh,
bigger and they're absolutely no good at soaking up spills.
But for 22 years they've done pretty well teaching you computing!
Infomercials, even in this day of E-Commerce continue to work very
well. But the demographics really are a broad spectrum of people,
young and old.
You'd think in this 500 channel universe you could just switch away
from me or Billy Mays. But likely where you switch, we'll be there
too!
John Scherer
"The Video Professor"
Reply
Friday 08 May
By CJ
I'm totally star struck! The Video Professor left me a comment! Thank you so much! I love your infomercials!
Reply
Saturday 09 May
By Megahn
I'm relaxing in my snuggie right now. I got the two for one special for my boyfriend's birthday. Which included two free book lights and then I upgraded to the pockets and extra thickness for 5 more dollars. I'm enjoying it, but I will say I think it best to keep them away from children as they are very low on the "breathe-ability" scale. I'm pretty sure if a kid were to put one of these over their head, that'd be it. Oh, and I'm also keeping mine at least 50 yards from open flame.
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Saturday 09 May
By Geoff
CJ, you never cease to crack me up!
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Saturday 09 May
By lacheraqui
you need to get some sleep.
but, before you do, PLEASE tell me your thoughts on the pedegg. does it really scrape the dead skin off your heels so the tiny flakes end up in a neat little sawdust pile, and you end up with baby-butt-smooth feet just like on TV?
if so, i want one NOW.
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Saturday 09 May
By Edie
You are cracking me up lady. Yes I love infomercials too. Hoping to get a slap chop for mothers day!!!!
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Saturday 09 May
By jeff connor
Do you know anything about that group of white people having, apparently some kind of weekend getaway or sleepover at some couple's home....an Australian man and his blond wife....and everyone wakes up and comes downstairs and the couple is making a banquet with a portable blender? Putting stuff in the microwave etc? I always get sucked into watching that cause it seems like there's some kind of plot. But I never finish. And I never understand how all these people are together in a kitchen somewhere...especially the older woman with the pen in her mouth....??
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Saturday 09 May
By Liz Fagan
My brother is also unemployed and has developed an obession with Vince and Billy Mays. He even created a facebook for Billy Mays. You are not alone, although my brother seems to be a little demented.
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Saturday 09 May
By lalabridget
(sham)Wow! I loved how you brought out your fine tooth comb and nancy drew shoes for this analytical piece! my boyfriend and i have an ongoing dialogue about the ez combs and even had some possible public sightings! i've never bought anything from an infomercial but even with their over the top CHEESY acting and repetitive segments, something about them really sucks me (all of us) in!
i adored reading this, how will you beat this one next month??? oh and PS - i WILL, in this lifetime, own a magic bullet!
xoxo,
bridget
PPS - i know you're walking in the revlon walk/run for cancer right now (i'm watching on the news now keeping an eye out for you) and i just want to say that you rock harder than any woman still on the couch in her pajamas right now (myself included) GO CJ GO!!!
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Saturday 09 May
By Alison
CJ!
Love the article, my obsession is with "Wen" hair products and Cindy Crawford's beauty line, the exact name escapes me now !
Anything Gunthy Renker is pretty well produced so I love those 30 minute splashy infomercials!
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Sunday 10 May
By lisa lampton
clapp ON girl!!!
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Sunday 10 May
By Bre
So, does the PediPaws work? I've been thinking about getting that one...
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Monday 11 May
By Jane Casserly
Once again, you have your pedipaws firmly on the pulse of modern society! Gerard and I watch "Pitchmen" on Discovery. We can't get enough of the stuff! Great work CJ :)
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Monday 11 May
By Bendaroos Mom
Those Snuggie ads are driving me nuts haha!
Love Bendaroos though - or the kids do at least. They play with them for at least 3 hours a day. Talk about a life saver!!
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Monday 29 June
By reesebaby
My boyfriend bought me the Smooth Away hair removal system. I didn't open it until I spoke with my mother who had recently used it and said it was great. So, I tried it and it really works. It's great for the days that the weatherman says it will rain ( so you don't shave that night or morning ) and then its a beautiful beach day. Just rub it on your legs ( it's like really smooth sandpaper ) and you can see the hair and dead skin come off.
I never really thought highly of "seen on tv" products, but smooth away works.
Also, everytime I see the Foodsaver infomercial, I watch it- for some reason it mesmerizes me.
Rest in Peace Billy Mays.
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