But Wait There's More . . .

There I was, surrounded by all the hostages and news media, a spectacle to behold. Then came my reward for saving all those people and apprehending the potential thieves, the love of my life came up to me and gave me apassionate kiss. She slowly withdrew to appraise the look of surprise and pleasure on my face, then she exclaimed in a excited manly voice, "BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!" Huh? Oh damn, I fell asleep with the tv on again and Ron Popeil's famous phrase came into my dream.

Yes, it's those night owl programs that people love to hate, call them half-hour ads, call them infomercials, but I call them, "Hey, where's the second part of the "Knight Rider" cliffhanger!?" Oh, sure the network airs part one of the cliffhanger and then BAM (sorry Emeril didn't see you there) instead of part 2 the show they air an infomercial (yes, I am curious how K.I.T.T. comes back to life and I hope Michael doesn't get too depressed over his loss). Ahem *nervous cough* uh sorry about that. Yes, infomercials are now part of our television viewing experience (like it or not). Usually one can avoid them by not staying up past 2 a.m., but lets face it we all have sleepless nights ( sleepless nights because your neighbor was found dead and the circumstances of their death could have been Sinister. Hmm that might be another blog) or we fall asleep in front of the t.v. Hey, it happens.

I admit I have seen a few of these and sadly some I have watched the whole time. I swear that they have some form hypnotizing beam embedded in the program (BUY ME!). I think the main thing that grabs my attention to the infomercial is the unique products they showcase. Products ranging from plastic containers that boil food quickly when filled with hot water to vacuum food storage systems to cookware that can help you fold an omelet and the do-it-yourself weapons of mass destruction home kit (whoops I wasn't supposed to mention that). I am not sure if the products being show really work, but the idea behind the product is usually ingenious. Yes, I freely admit it I want a kitchen gadget that helps me fold omelets.

No matter the product's main function the host always exaggerate the usefulness of their product. "This knife can cut a tomato, a tin-can, adamantium and is kryptonite proof, also it's dishwasher safe!" It's not enough that the product is the eighth wonder of the world, but they have to show a dramatization of a person (usually a woman is featured) trying to get by without their wonder product and things usually end up in disaster (OH NO!) then they turn to the camera looking distressed. Also the dramtization is usually presented in black and white or some sort of bland color.

The hosts also might be colorful if not more so than the product they are presenting. Their fast paced way presenting the product grabs the audience's attention and gives no time for the audience to dwell on anything else. Sometimes the host might have another host that represents the average consumer which is funny to me since the co-host is usually an out of work actor. I often feel sorry the actor or actress, but I have to remind myself they have to eat too.

I admit, I kinda admire the way these show are produced. The use of psychological tricks to get the audience (live or at home) engrossed in their presentation makes me smile. I often admire when a product is advertised in a clever way. Infomercials to me are a comical annoyance, I wanna hate them but they are so humorous to me that I can't quite put them on my "bad list". Well, if they preempt that particular "Knight Rider" cliffhanger again I might have to consider it, but hopefully it won't come to that.