OBSERVATIONS ON A SATURDAY MORNING CRUISE THROUGH CABLE TV WHILE WAITING FOR NEWS PROGRAMS TO ACTUALLY SHOW THE NEWS
1) Someone thought it would be a good idea to create an entire tv program on The Potato? Really?
2a) On Miami Vice, Sonny drove out of the parking garage at the Miami airport, directly onto the streets of South Beach. Crossover from Bewitched?
2b) Parking garage car chases are the rotary phones of the car chase world. Here in 2011, cars going faster than 20 MPH would be airborne every 30 yards.
3) Thundercats HO!
4) Who on earth would purchase a product called "Snap-on Smile"? (Note to self: See if The Blog wants to purchase one for the Gift Guide.)
I agree completely, judi. However, I'm more baffled by the infomercial people who cannot crack an egg without getting it all over the kitchen, scoop kitty litter without getting it in their hair, or answer a phone while wearing a blanket without sleeves. I'm an early riser and have learned to just turn the TV to BBC America. Their news is very good and they don't have all the fluff you find on the other stations.
Posted by: nursecindy | July 23, 2011 at 12:29 PM
nurscindy, you'll love this tribute video to infomercial incompetence -- starring the Beatles.
Posted by: Will (the other one) | July 23, 2011 at 12:56 PM
*snork at Will's youtube link*
But wait, if you call within the next 30 minutes, we'll DOUBLE your order........
Posted by: Coconuts | July 23, 2011 at 01:07 PM
I loved that video Will! I forgot about the man that couldn't put his own shoes on and if I remember correctly Gilbert Gottfried was the announcer for that product. His voice, imho, is more irritating than fingernails on a blackboard. I really liked it when the woman, who obviously cannot operate a garden hose, squirted herself in the face.
Posted by: nursecindy | July 23, 2011 at 01:13 PM
I HATE, yes HATE that commerical from Bose where the kid is yelling about thermo energy.
He would be in his room until September if he ever yelled at me the way that brat is yelling.
Now I feel better!
Posted by: MikeyVA | July 23, 2011 at 01:39 PM
Judi, I'd never` heard of "Snap On smile." I live in Kansas City, and apparently not everything is up to date here.
I can't believe it! Fake teeth made to look like your real teeth, so presumably you snap on the fakes and can smile better. The cost? Only $4000 a set and they last only four years, based on my research.
So for a $1000 a year (4 years' contract) you can have Snap On Smiles. And don't be fooled, for $49 is the sign up cost, not the total cost.
I think a better solution, certainly cheaper, is
here
and just for equal time, if you want your teeth to look worse, try this...
Posted by: funny man | July 23, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Judi, I love watching movies and TV shows that defy the laws of nature like that Miami Vice. The general idea is, most people don't live in Miami so won't know the difference.
Like the Blues Brothers movie where they jumped off the freeway ramp in Chicago and landed in Milwaukee (or something like that). Or Jack Bauer driving around a traffic-less Manhattan.
Posted by: Jeff Meyerson | July 23, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Coconuts, I believe it is a law that all infomercials must include this line:
"But wait, there's MORE!"
Posted by: Jeff Meyerson | July 23, 2011 at 02:50 PM
"Give us your first born child and we'll TRIPLE your order. Just pay the outrageous processing charge."
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard that or something like that...
Posted by: funny man | July 23, 2011 at 02:55 PM
If you wait a few weeks after the infomercial it usually shows up at Walgreen's. Not that I've ever bought any of that stuff. Except for the Slap Chop. And a Snuggie. Also the Pedi-Paws. And maybe some Oxy-Clean and Sham Wows. But other than that I do not buy that junk. I would like to add that after buying the Slap Chop I still didn't love Vince's nuts.
Posted by: nursecindy | July 23, 2011 at 04:22 PM
I guess it's not really Snuggie weather now, is it cindy? But did you get a PedEgg?
Posted by: Jeff Meyerson | July 23, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Yes I did, Jeff. I have got to stop watching so much TV.
Posted by: nursecindy | July 23, 2011 at 04:46 PM
On the rare occasions when I watch television and flip by an infomercial, I always wonder, "What did they GIVE those people before the host showed up?"
Whatever it is, I want some. Of the pills, not the products.
Posted by: Steve | July 23, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Pretty much the only tv I watch is Turner Classic Movies and occasionally a repeat of "Spiderman" on HBO. I can't deal with commercials of any kind. It was an epiphany to get XM satellite radio in my new car - no commercials in the car anymore either!
Posted by: Guin the Overheated | July 23, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Few people realize how fascinating potatoes really are.
Posted by: Paddie O'Brien | July 23, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Wasn't She-ra the Thundercats' Ho?
Posted by: Punkin | July 23, 2011 at 09:02 PM
I have never bought an infomercial product. The closest we've ever gotten is a Total Gym bought for $20 at a yard sale (does it count if a seen on TV product really works, 99% are crap). For jollies, if I can't sleep, I do like watching the overnight knife sales.
Posted by: Loudmouth | July 23, 2011 at 09:35 PM
...you changed the channel from Miami Vice?!!
Posted by: sandy | July 24, 2011 at 02:06 AM
snork @ sandy (i did, but i came right back after the commercial was over) ;)
Posted by: judi the barberho | July 24, 2011 at 09:50 AM
LOL-funny, Judi!
Posted by: Just Some Guy | July 24, 2011 at 06:02 PM
I have the entire run of Miami Vice on DVD, ripped to my hard drive with HandBrake.
But the only time I went to Miami, about 4 years ago, I got out of the airport and immediately drove to Ft. Lauderdale. On 95. You people are lunatics on the freeway, BTW.
Posted by: wiredog | July 25, 2011 at 07:12 AM