40 Comments
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Mark Daniel's avatar

I never saw the Atomic Beam infomercial. The dramatization of the strobe self-defense feature was very similar to in Naked Gun when Frank Drebin was foiled by the pillow thrown in his face.

Mr. Niss's avatar

Joe, if your #1 infomercial is anything other than "Santo Gold" from the 1980s, you're doing it wrong.

Mike Schmidtmann's avatar

Great! What about the bacon bowl?

Bill Mc's avatar

Epic infomercials. Brings to mind the great Bass-o-Matic skit on old Saturday Night Live.

Rich Rhoades's avatar

this is some pretty good stuff joe. Great breakdown. Ha.

KHAZAD's avatar

I am pretty sure I bought 2 of the products that Snuggie says you could pay up to $60 for.

They were from Land's End, and it was called a Snuggle Sack. Not a blanket, it was a slightly oversized neck to ankle covering made of really soft fleece. It featured high quality cuffs at the wrists and ankles, and a high quality zipper that went from the neck to approximately the crotch area. They also offered one with a flap in the back so that a lady could allegedly use the toilet without taking it off (I did not opt for that one)

I got one for my Wife and one for my Mom. It was approximately 20 years ago and they are both still around and put to use in the winter. We used to have miniature Dachshund (they are natural burrowers) and she got really excited when the snuggle sack came out. She would burrow her way in and be in there with her head sticking out the top.

They were (still are actually, as they are still around) worth every bit of $60. I wouldn't pay $5 for a Snuggie.

KHAZAD's avatar

Of course I meant ours are still around. Land's End stopped making them years ago.

Invisible Sun's avatar

The essay on the Snuggie is brilliant. Each article stands on its own but the description of the Snuggie infoco is a beautiful snapshot of humanity. The challenge of staying warm is daunting. It is frightening. The Snuggie provides the warmth and by so doing gives life and light to what would otherwise be a cold and dreary house

Glenn Jackson's avatar

I’m a new subscriber and am blown away by the humor in this email. I was laughing to the point of tears. So glad I subscribed.

Tracey's avatar

I had to find out if the Atomic Beam is still available and - it is! Even cheaper now, $16.95 at Amazon.

Ernie Polazzo's avatar

And you can get a second for an additional $16.95.

Tommy's avatar

Best lol ever...."the Atomic Beam USA is a crispy and tough flashlight"......

Michael's avatar

That one made me fall off the chair

Greg T's avatar

Given your love of this phenomena, please tell me you've heard Steve Goodman's "Vegematic."

If not, here it is. Great song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnqtGjHJjs8

Richie's avatar

Somehow I've never heard that song.

Some of the products referenced have overlap with Weird Al's song about Mr. Popeil:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFHqTzeIuKE

Rob Smith's avatar

Snuggies ARE cool! Fight me!

Tom Hitchner's avatar

I'll see your "Whoa, a Twilight reference, I wrote this a long time ago" and raise you "Holy cow, David S. Pumpkins is six years old??"

Sean's avatar

This is gold Jerry, Gold!

Also another David S. Pumpkins reference!