Gonna blog this in real time.
One of my favorite commercial personalities right now is Vince Offer from most notably the ShamWOW spots above. I’ve never really been a fan of the hockers themselves, your Mayes or Popeils, but from the first time I saw the ShamWOW ads I could get behind Vince. Because he’s not by trade a salesman, he’s an entertainer. I didn’t realize this, but he was the guy behind the Underground Comedy Movie. I’ve never seen the movie, but damned if I don’t remember the ads for it. I’m not very surprised I took to this guy when his commercials were already so ingrained in my thinks. Similarly, apparently he’s an ex-sciencetologist. I’ll spare the judgment call on what mental images that drags up, but I will say being in with that crowd, you probably become well-versed in the process of sucking people in to your rhetoric, being it fighting Xenu or fighting stains.
But to roll from these experiences, take those skills and apply them to the world of infomercials is genius-level crazy. He’s hip and cool so he can connect with the young disposable income without being too non-conformist to frighten the norms. He has the fast-talking grift of a 30s carnie, the committment to make you believe that he in turn really believes in the product, and the slightly-squinting eye that shows just how intense he is. And it’s clearly not the product he’s selling that fuels his pathos, he can bring this same vigor to any piece of crap they put in front of him.
See, I know I have no need for that product whatsoever and I’m sitting here, considering buying it. My disposition is to not trust any product being pushed on me and I still think the ShamWOW might actually work well enough to warrant a purchase. Its because he cracks my stone heart and makes me believe again.
Just for fun, here’s a video showing the camera trick they use in the ShamWOW commercial. Real time indeed, Mr. Offer.
Tags: As Seen On TV, personalities, salesmen
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January 27, 2009 at 2:55 am
when the other chopper hits the sink, they dubbed in the sound of glass breaking.
February 3, 2009 at 10:58 pm
@Kevin You have to admit though, that was a nice throw.
“You’re gonna love my nuts.” Yes Vince, yes I will.
Also: I own one of those chopper things (not the same brand, but the same idea) and everything just gets stuck up in the blades. Maybe I need to be slapping it instead of just pushing down? Hmm. Though I have to admit, the “butterfly” point is true – you can’t clean those other ones worth a damn.
And actually, I’d get this thing just for the Graty! Holy shredded bliss! And to be honest, I’m a little bit upset I didn’t think of a foldable cutting board.
In conclusion: If my grandpa saw this commercial, he would be ordering one for every member of my family.