We already know that I absolutely HATE infomercials. They drive me nuts. I hate that on a day like today, I flick on the TV and 50% of the stations I surf through are airing a paid programming segment trying to sell me "the world's most amazing can opener!" It bugs me even more that people actually order this stuff. I love when I go to someone's house for the first time and I see one of those "As Seen on TV" items sitting in their kitchen. Makes me giggle. Do they actually find a lot of use for their solar-powered meat thermometer? 'Cause I can think of a couple.
So imagine my excitement when I stumbled on to this blog. Writer Matt Dinniman has taken my sentiments a step further and listed the ten most ridiculous items ever offered to consumers through the magic of television. Who could forget The Flowbee? Or that electroshock ab belt? I think it's a great list but I can't believe he left off that machine that re-seals bags of potato chips or the Oreck vacuum strong enough to pick up bowling balls. What could you possibly be doing to your rugs to require a vacuum with that much suction power? Anyone?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-27-2006 @ 12:58PM
superbagman said...
Oh that Abtronic was fantastic. I worked at a place called West Corp back when that was big. West is the place that handles all of those infomercial callers. Someone sued the Abtronic or something and all the callers were calling in to complain. I would have relished the chaos if I didn't have to answer their damn calls.
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8-30-2006 @ 11:42AM
utteputte said...
without comments,just silly
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8-27-2006 @ 1:15PM
Taylor said...
How could he forget about the Pasta Express? It's basically a tube with a cap at the top of it with a bunch of holes in it (used as a strainer). You put the raw pasta in the tube, boil water, wait until the water boils, wait, wait, and then wait some more. Then you pour the boiling water in the tube (which, technically speaking, is no longer boiling since you've taken it off the stove), close it, wait, wait, wait until the pasta cooks, and then strain it. It's as easy as 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8!!
You cans see what this think looks like here: http://www.davidsteele.com/assets/p29452_500.jpg
...and read some glowing reviews here: http://www.infomercialratings.com/product/pasta_express_review
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8-27-2006 @ 1:24PM
Taylor said...
Please ignore the spelling mistakes. I wish you can edit on these things.
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8-27-2006 @ 2:25PM
BobbyBuz said...
The pasta express works great for cooking hot dogs.
Also good for making tea. I think the correct word is steeping.
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8-27-2006 @ 3:09PM
Lory said...
Oooooooooh, my favorite informercial was for the "Spray On" hair. I mean......how could anyone believe that could look "natural"?? I just wonder how many poor old balding men were sooooooo desperate to buy that product? LOL
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8-27-2006 @ 5:19PM
Matt Dinniman said...
Hey, now. Don't knock the Eurosealer. It's one of the greatest inventions of our times.
Thanks for the link.
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8-27-2006 @ 3:52PM
Taylor said...
That's still not pasta, BobbyBuz.
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8-27-2006 @ 4:59PM
BobbyBuz said...
Taylor: I know it's not pasta, but it's an improvised use for it. Actually the infomercial also shows them preparing veggies. I recall them doing asparagus. So hot dogs are not too far fetched.
My other favorites are the Ron Popeil products.
Anyone remember the RonCo things from years ago?
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9-04-2006 @ 5:44PM
sassy said...
I just recently bought that can opener i saw on TV in walmart and it is the best item I have ever used!!!!
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9-06-2006 @ 10:46AM
sassy said...
I just bought the can opener that i saw on TV at walmart. It is the best thing I have ever used!!!
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