We'll Throw in Two More, Just Pay for Shipping and Handling

I once heard someone state that the two greatest American art forms are Jazz and the infomercial. How true, but sorry Coltrane, this post will focus on the latter.

Recently, infomercials have been creating human celebrities: we all know the current infomercial celebs Vince Offer (for ShamWow) and Billy May (for everything), but now I feel the products are becoming celebrities as well.

While much of the world is focusing on the Snuggie, my favorite infomercial (after the Magic Bullet of course) is for the Strap Perfect. This is because I think it sells what a lot of infomercials sell best: ideas.



This little piece of plastic will A) hold your straps in place, B) Hide your straps under those funky straps and sleeves, and C) Give you cleavage Pam Anderson would be jealous of. But wait, all it does is hold your straps together? Why not use a safety pin?

Why not, indeed. Thanks Strap Perfect!

Besides those mentioned above, I can think of several more products: PedEgg, PediPaws, Doggy Steps, OxyClean, Get a Grip, Walk Fit, Save a Blade, Big City Slider, Aqua Globes, and Bender Ball. And this is just off the top of my head.

Is it just me, or are we being slammed with more infomercials than before? Or do I just watch too much late night TV? Also, are the annoyance and catchiness of them actually holding my attention more than traditional TV ads? How would a product such as Pepsi fare if they did an infomercial-like ad, except without the "Get two cases for 19.95, and if you order now, we'll double that!" offer at the end? Are infomercials becoming less of ads and more like forms of entertainment?

Thoughts?