In my head, Nad's tastes sweet, almost like honey. I don't know where my fascination with this product is coming from. It's not like I ate paste or crayons or something when I was younger. For some reason though, I really want to believe that they were telling the truth on the infomercial. It would really burst my bubble if I find out it tastes horrible.

Okay, this is the note on which I will take my leave for the workday. :-)

(And still trying to reconcile myself to the consensus that it's going to frickin snow tomorrow. Boo I say.)

Oh Lord, I can't believe I didn't even realize what I wrote. Can I ever show my face around here again?

I don't know - is it smooth and hair-free?

Had I known you then, gilbertblythe , I'd have sent the unused portion to your House O' Dreams.

What I found the most astonishing is that the real Nad -- the inventor's daughter -- actually allowed the world to see her incredibly hairy forearms while Mum explained that she created the goo to defuzz her cub. I think Jimmy Hoffa was hiding in those furry limbs.

Since this is a shamefaced confession moment, let me also cop to purchasing some kind of weird cellulite cream (this was back in the late '80s) developed by this spooky dame named Annushka & shilled by that star of the small screen Erin Gray. It didn't work but it was my first infomercial purchase & I was too intimidated to return it. It sat under the sink for 2 years.

I taste-tested some Nad's -- I'm not afraid to admit that. I bought it at Walgreens or CVS or something back in 2001 and was sorely disappointed with the results. Hurt just as much as waxing - was more sticky and took more time. It did taste pretty good - not enough to make it a meal, but it was nice.

I miss Nancy Nelson too - I assumed she retired because Kathy took over her favorite male co-hosts. I'm kind of over Kathy though - the guy I love is the Red Devil Grill (the one that got recalled by the FTC or something) guy - the faux-Australian or whatever. He's awesome.

Didn't the Friends eat some hair-removal goo while listening to Ross and Rachel fight in the other room?

I don't remember that one, but I do remember Joey getting a job as an actor on an infomercial demonstrating some type of pour spout for milk cartons.

Yes, they did. In the show, it was called Waxine. Or as Phoebe called it, "Painzine: now with a little wax."

My boyfriend wanted to try out Nads on the nape of his neck. The poor thing was in pain! I tried reusing the strip without reapplying more wax (like on TV) but it didn't work. I had to apply the wax again to a new area and use a clean section of the strip. Pretty messy stuff. I don't know if he'll let me do that ever again.

I haven't seen this informercial the whole way through, but Connie Sellecca is selling the Sellecca Solution. All I really remember is that she tells a story about trying to track down this Egyptian man to find out what was in this miracle cream.

This product is a real mess. It claims to have no perfumes or oils, but the ingredients are frankinsense, myrhh and sandalwood, all heavily scented and/or oily ingredients that would probably cause allergic reactions in a lot of people. (But nicely ancient-sounding.) There's also jojoba oil, for good measure. But they brag about not having any alpha hydroxy or retinol, anti-aging ingredients actually known to be effective.

I couldn't watch the infomercial. Connie's near-Michael Jackson nosejob is too distracting.

Magic Bullet gift-giving update: After telling me for months how neat it looks and being so excited to get it, it turns out my parents... have hardly used it! Apparently it functions, however. So it's got that going for it, which is nice.

If you're gonna buy it, definitely look online. Don't do the $99 plus S&H deal, that'd be a little nuts.

The Magic Bullet is $99!?!?!? Wow. So glad I didn't get sucked in by that infomercial.

You need to get your parents a recipe book, Rex. Maybe they ran out of ideas after iced coffee, smoothies, and salsa.

It's worse than you think. I checked the deal on the Magic Bullet website, and you get two entire sets for $99. But there's no way to order only one set. (The second set is ostensibly "free" with the purchase of one.) Here's the kicker: the s&h is $39.98 for EACH magic bullet set, and you have to get two. So you end up spending $180.

But wait! This is an $800 value!

However, you can buy one Magic Bullet at Target (or order it online , and the shipping is only $16 to my zip code) for $59.99. Unfortunately, the Target version doesn't have the blender and juicer attachments, though.

This reminds me of the ShedEnder gadget for grooming dogs. It's advertised at $14.95 or so, but when you order it, you end up spending $40-50, for refill blades, a tool that takes doghair off of upholstery and clothes, extra s&h and who knows what. The operator kept offering me more and more crap. But that damn ShedEnder really works great to remove the loose hair from the undercoat. (Just be careful not to cut the dog, especially around elbows and ankles. It's a sharp blade.)

I have just seen the most perfect infomercial of all time. It has all the elements of carnival hucksterism, vaudeville, great salesmanship and great TV. This sets the standard. It's for the Showtime Knife. It is a thing of beauty.

It starts out with the undisputed master, Ron Popeil. He introduces his cousin, Arnold, who demonstrates the knife like a magician, cutting all sorts of food items and even a steel hammerhead. Arnold keeps up a snappy patter the whole time, including how the price is NOT $100 (would you say it's worth it? Audience: YEAH!!!!) Well, it's only 3 easy payments of $13.33.

Then Ron's daughter come on, presenting another knife on a fringed brocade pillow that "Dad wants them to have" which Arnold also demonstrates, and "alone sells for $40", but is also included in the same 3 payments of $13.33.

Then daughter comes out with the pillow holding another knife Dad also wants them to have, which he demonstrates, and it's also worth $40, but it, too is included in the same price of 3 EZ payments of $13.33

And here she comes AGAIN, with the pillow holding a chopper, and again the demonstration, with the patter, and this item is also included for the same EZ payments of $13.33 (and it alone normally sells for $40.)

And now comes a carving set that would cost $150. It is also included in the 3 EZ payments.

But Ron, who now takes over the program, wants you to have steak knives, too, and they are also included, etc.

But WAIT! There's MORE!

Ron reviews all the knives you get. And now you will also get some handy poultry shears that are worth $30. For the same 3 EZ payments of $13.33.


But there's MORE. A saw knife. The audience yells out the "3 EZ payments of $13.33."

A chef's knife. Applause.

A couple of paring knifes. "Gonna throw those in."

Wait. There's more!

A cleaver! He demonstrates on some ribs.

But wait! A cheese knife! "If you'll promise to tell a friend!"

And a fillet knife. Look how easy it is. He fillets a salmon. It's a $70 knife.

And a boning knife. And a sharpener. (But I thought the knives were guaranteed never to get dull.)

Now the host shames Ron because there were only 4 steak knives, so Ron says, OK, I'll throw in 4 more steak knives. This is a grand total of 25 pieces for just 3 EZ payments of $13.33. And we started out with only one knife, remember,which was a bargain at that price.

And now the kicker: We'll give you TWO whole sets of 25 knives for 3 EZ payments of $13.33!!!!!! But you MUST CALL NOW. (A timer is counting down on the screen) And if you help us advertise this deal by telling a friend, we'll send you, absolutely free the Showtime Flavor Injector that we sold 3000 of on another show for $30 each. This is an amazing gadget unto itself, like a big hypodermic, that Ron demonstrates by showing film of whole cloves of garlic being injected into a roast beef, mint and pine nuts into a leg of lamb, and pimentos into a turkey.

This is an $840 value! They will actually sell you the knives individually for that price. They show you a receipt for other knives that they bought elsewhere that cost that much. Now come the testimonials, where people talk about how they have bought expensive German knives that didn't hold up to these, or how they have cut drywall with these knives and then boned a chicken afterward.

Now Ron does some more demonstrating where he cuts shoe leather with a knife and then a tomato with the same knife Then some great razzle-dazzle cutting and filleting and review of the deal. And the timer is counting down on the deal's availibilty.

And the closer: LIFETIME GUARANTEE! If a knife ever gets dull, or if it is ever damaged, even if it is your fault, they'll replace it for free! For everlasting life! They show a knife being run over by a car.

I need a cigarette.

Did you call before the timer ran out?? Inquiring minds NEED to know!

Also, I don't want to think about Ron Popeil or his cousin boning a chicken. Deboning, maybe.

No! Call this oversell. I just couldn't imagine any scenario that these knives could possibly be any good. Fifty knives for 40 bucks is less than a dollar apiece. Even the great Ron Popeil couldn't overcome my skepticism about that.

But he's still the William Jennings Bryan of the Infomercial, from the Veg-o-matic to the Pocket Fisherman and the incredible Showtime Rotisserie.

I've never actually bought any of his products, but I just love watching him. He's so damned believable! (Even though I just said that I think those knives are probably crap, I still somehow think Ron is also telling the truth. Obviously, I'm totally nuts. But I didn't part with any money, so I'm not a fool.)



Even Rachael Ray bones chickens.

I checked this out after I picked myself off the floor laughing hysterically at what you said.

But here's Rach's knife set:

QUOTE

Also, I don't want to think about Ron Popeil or his cousin boning a chicken. Deboning, maybe. Even Rachael Ray bones chickens. I checked this out after I picked myself off the floor laughing hysterically at what you said. But here's Rach's knife set: Designed for real cooks like you, Furi® RR Gusto-Grip East/West knives combine super comfort with the performance and control of professional knives. This 10-piece set includes one of each: 3-1/2" paring knife, 5" straight boning knife, 6" serrated utility knife, carving fork, 8" carving knife, 8" bread knife, 7" scalloped east/west knife, poultry and fish shears and a birch "clean store" block. Plus, each knife features a reverse-wedge handle designed to reduce the amount of squeeze needed and keep your hands from getting tired. Item - #10005 Price: $299.95 The Schwa Sound 22nd April 2007 - 05:31 PM Good thing you didn't buy them, Miss E. They are pretty awful. DodgerGirl 23rd April 2007 - 09:43 AM Are you telling Miss Edie and me that Ron Popeil lies, Schwa? He lies? I am shocked, sir. Shocked. Miss Edie 23rd April 2007 - 04:33 PM QUOTE (DodgerGirl+Apr 23 2007, 01:43 PM) Are you telling Miss Edie and me that Ron Popeil lies, Schwa? He lies? I am shocked, sir. Shocked. After reading this New Yorker article by Malcolm Gladwell, I can't for the life of me see why Ron would need to shill inferior goods. I still don't want the knives, but I'm tempted to buy a Showtime Rotisserie now. Can millions of QVC shoppers be wrong? The Schwa Sound 23rd April 2007 - 06:47 PM Yes, Dodge, I know you're shocked (shocked!) that those knives suck. And I don't know from QVC Miss Edie but my best friend's mother bought her a Showtime Rotisserie as a wedding present. And it makes damned tasty chicken shishkabobs. little melly 24th April 2007 - 04:34 AM I guy I work with has the Showtime Rotisserie, and he loves it. He's one of the biggest whiners I know, too, so it must be good. That damn article has me wanting one, too! jcpdiesel21 25th April 2007 - 02:45 PM Y'all, you must buy the Magic Bullet. It is truly magical. My husband and I used to hardly ever have any fruit, and now we are always making fruit smoothies. It is so cool how you can make the smoothie directly in the glass that you later drink it out of, and how there is minimal mess. We also used it to make chocolate mousse, which was very good. We are planning on trying the alfredo sauce recipe from the book as well. The Schwa Sound 26th April 2007 - 11:30 AM Crap. My sister just gave her brand new one to the Sallies. Alice 28th April 2007 - 12:01 PM Ok. This infomercial has been airing like crazy on cable this week. Tater Mitts (video embedded on the main page, FYI) These rubber gloves with what looks like sandpaper or some other rough knobs on them that you wear and rub your taters with and the gloves peel the taters in ONLY 8 SECONDS!!!!11!!1!!!! I both loathe and love the commercial. Miss Edie 28th April 2007 - 12:49 PM Oh, Lord, that's great! Somebody is just waiting to rake in the millions on this invention. jcpdiesel21 12th July 2007 - 12:15 PM Has anyone else seen the infomercial for the Tobi Steamer? I watched it this morning and now I really want one. I hate ironing and always put it off because it's so time-consuming. It would be cool to have a steamer to make the job easier. OffTopic 12th July 2007 - 12:57 PM I can save you from buying that handy little steamer gadget. I've got a steamer and it takes forever to get all the wrinkles out. And if you think ironing is hot work, try standing with a gadget that shoots steam for an hour or two. Downy Wrinkle Reducer is my best friend. And if you spritz with Downy and hang the stuff in the bathroom and turn on the shower to "scalding", by the time you're dried off those clothes are wrinkle free. Joe Don Faker 12th July 2007 - 01:14 PM Yeah I got a steamer (a compact Conair model) and used it for awhile. It was a somewhat worthwhile departure from ironing, but not without its flaws. For one, as OffTopic suggests, it really wasn't much of a timesaver as compared to an iron. They're pretty comparable in terms of the minutes you'll spend working out your wrinkles. Secondly, if you are seeking to avoid the potential for burns, it's still kind of present with the steamer, which can deliver a hot streak to your nerves if you get an errant finger or hand above the nozzle. Whatever, it wakes me up in the morning. Third, mine tended to occasionally spit flecks of water -- which is fine, but then the process requires some waiting time for the garment to dry. Still, while it seemed to me in several ways comparable to ironing, I stuck with it, just because it was a bit more fun, and I could stand with dignity, rather than getting hunched over the ironing board. Eventually, one day it spit out water flecks that carried with them a staining agent -- mineral deposits? -- and I put the unit aside with a mind to clean it. But the next time I needed to rid something of wrinkles, I broke out the old iron once again. (The stains did come out of the stained shirt easily.) Anyway other units' performances vary, eh. I'm sure there are better versions than mine. You may be able to find some customer reviews for your unit online . . . jcpdiesel21 13th July 2007 - 07:52 AM Interesting; it sounds like this steamer is not the answer to my prayers as I originally thought. If it's going to cause possible additional problems, then I'll stick with my iron for now. At least I'm used to the problems that it causes. OffTopic, I agree that Downy Wrinkle Reducer works miracles. Seven 13th July 2007 - 08:52 AM I hope I get to see the whole informercial for this again: Red XL Exerciser. I only saw a few minutes of it one morning, but it's just a twisting stool with handles! dottstar 13th July 2007 - 09:15 PM I was watching some TV channel on Sunday night and all they had were infomercials guess they were a new station and the real products weren't interested in buying air time. My husband and I were laughing at some of them. All of them were cheap, cheesy things. There's one I'll catch on Sunday nights for hip hop abs. That's another that sort of tickles me. They are so dead serious but look rather funny. Miss Edie 2nd August 2007 - 05:47 PM This is just too, too awful. Hugh Downs doing an infomercial! (Warning: clicking on the link starts video.) Downs has so much credibility because of his image as a journalist from being on Today and 20/20, but he spent most of his career as an announcer. He's really a shill at heart, I guess. The lisping author is so nervous, reciting his script. I'd like to see what would happen if he were hooked up to a polygraph. This book looks like the same combination of common sense, hogwash and non-information that Kevin Trudeau is famous for. Joe Don Faker 1st January 2008 - 05:03 PM Anyone check out the commercials for Handy Switch, the switch that sends a radio frequency signal to turn your lights/appliances on and off? Sounds like a good idea -- but what's up with the dude who gets so pissed that his partner has to leave him in bed for two secs to turn the light off? Miss Edie 1st January 2008 - 05:26 PM How's she going to find her way back to bed in the dark? Why don't they put the lamp on a table next to the bed like normal people? The rural juror 1st January 2008 - 07:14 PM Cracked's top ten misleading infomercials. Joe Don Faker 1st January 2008 - 07:37 PM Fun link, rural juror . . . Hey, the disgruntled guy in bed (pictured above) and his wife make an appearance in the Listen Up! Sound Amplifier commercial, part of the Cracked article. This fellow is making a nice living out of his patented head-shaking "can you believe this shit?" look. Apparently some reviewer has it out for him though QUOTE Patrick of New York, USA writes: never go for this shit (the Listen Up Sound Amplifier). total waste of money. even my stethoscope produces better sound than this junk. i feel like murdering all the guys who acted in the advertisement. <br>ETA: That Cracked article is written right -- a bunch of laugh lines there. fofanna1 1st January 2008 - 08:26 PM My favorite part of the Listen Up commercial is when the bitchy wife is listening to the neighbors who are saying, "I met them - he seems nice." Take that, harpy! streetme 1st January 2008 - 08:29 PM That line cracks me up too. um... 8th May 2008 - 03:34 PM Never mind. Joe Don Faker 8th October 2008 - 12:46 PM Cracked's 5 Get-Rich Schemes People Still Fall For You can also read complaints about these schemes on Infomercial Scams. To quit out of "lo-fi" mode and return to the regular forums, please click here. dizayn.de © 2003 - 2009 - "lo-fi" for InvisionPower Board v1.3