![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-175610-100x100.png\")
\"But wait, there's more!?\"
Oh, SNAP!
![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
@BeefSupreme: @MyPetFly: I found that comment to be in extremely bad taste, and regret coming to Consumerist today. I've been a member of this site for over three years, since you had to get an invitation to be able to post, and this is the first time I've ever considered not visiting anymore.
I lost two of my heroes this week. MJ and now Billy.
R.I.P
@TheObserver: See, I'm probably in the large minority here, but I find Billy Mays a greater loss than Michael Jackson. Guess it is all about time and place in our lives.
@Righteous: I couldn't agree more. Mays actualy worked his ass off to a good life while MJ (though he may have been a good pop artist) sexually abused little children and who knows what else.
I, too, oddly find the loss of Billy Mays more shocking then Michael Jackson. Can't really explain why.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-581631-100x100.png\")
@bhowie4: I felt the same way. Maybe because I actually respected Billy Mays and thought he was a genuinely nice human being (or at least did a REALLY good job of fooling everyone into thinking that). Michael Jackson was surprising, but Billy Mays was way out of left field.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-6536-100x100.png\")
@bhowie4: Maybe because it came out of nowhere.
Billy wasn't ill and, to our knowledge, wasn't using drugs. Hell, he doesn't even look 50.
@Righteous: In many respects I agree because Billy Mays demise was in the prime of his career if not life. Unlike all the other deceased over the last few weeks Mays was the only one who's time in the sun was cut short for what ever reason .
All the others had their 15 minutes,had or had a fortune and numerous chances at comebacks . Jackson & Carridine blew their chances with eccentric behavior . McMahon lost his fortune but at least had family and friends as did Faucet . But Billy Mays was in prime time he wasn't an up and comer or a has been he was in PRIME TIME with his star still rising . That's the truely sad thing .
Is it urban myth that celeberty deaths happen in cluster of at least 3 . This is one of the longest streaks of celeberty or pop culture deaths I can remember.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-116542-100x100.png\")
@u1itn0w2day: Ya, he's even on Discovery channel...people are finally realizing the cult power people like Billy Mays carry. Sad day.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-226755-100x100.png\")
I always thought Billy Mays was one of the more tolerable TV pitchmen. Sure, he was loud, rather annoying, and looks sort of like that one guy from Home Improvement, but, lets face it, he had a FANTASTIC beard.
And he's never told me that \"THOUSANDS OF MEN AVOID SEXUAL INTIMACY BECAUSE OF THEIR SIZE IN BED\" at least once a night.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-70159-100x100.png\")
@Sheogorath: It would have been great if he was Smilin Bob, Well Yellin Bob. I loved Billy Mays because of Pitchman because the show made him human. Most the contact anyone has from him is the commercials.
But I would have loved to hear:
Hi Billy Mays Here with a great new product. You penis not big enough? Are you like most my products and are quick to use? Well have I got something for you...
@Sheogorath: I'm of the same opinion - one of the more tolerable personalities .
Alot of people can't stand him but I hate the informercials withOUT him especially . He did his job and drew attention to the products he pitched . He seemed like a more sincere pitchman .
And unlike recent celeberty deaths (not taking anything away from them) but here's a guy with a family who was taken out of life at THE PRIME of his active career which was still going higher . I just saw him on the Tonight show last week and have seen his show Pitchmen .
Rest In Peace Billy Mays
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-449511-100x100.png\")
Billy Mays' last twitter:
\"Just had a close call landing in Tampa. The tires blew out upon landing. Stuck in the plane on the runway. You can always count on US Air.\"
@IfThenElvis: Ah, oops. I was just reading the Wikipedia entry on Ed McMahon and he died on the 23rd.
=\\
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-16563-100x100.png\")
I've so far managed to live my life without seeing a Billie Mays infomercial.
I'm quite pleased to report that odds favor this winning streak to continue unabated.
Yay, ME!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-297061-100x100.png\")
@Trai_Dep: it's not a matter of respect that I hold issue with on this comment but the fact that this person is clearly lying. EVERYONE has seen a Billy Mays infomercial whether or not they are willing to admit it!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1079284-100x100.png\")
@Trai_Dep: You're one lucky guy. I wish I had never seen any of his ridiculous commercials, but alas, I'm not as fortunate as you. If he was a huckster for Just For Men, then I might have found him bearable. Instead, I was exposed to the wonderful world of Mighty Putty. 'Oh look, the handle on my 99 cent coffee mug broke. I better replace the handle with cancerous playdough!'
On a side note, with all the action this week, I can't wait to see if South Park makes a sequel to Satan's Luau!
\"Are we going to the Hukilau?
The Huki Huki Huki Huki Hukilau?
Everybody loves a hukilau!\"
\"Billy Mays here for Satan's Luau!\"
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-79689-100x100.png\")
@Trai_Dep: Unlike most posting here, I don't take offense to your comment, but unlike other pitchmen, Billy Mays was actually somewhat enjoyable in his ridiculousness. I'm sure some of the crap he was slinging was good, but it was kind of a game to see what he would be pitching next (my favorite - life insurance). Anyways, you missed out :) .
(Are people really mad at you because you didn't want to see an infomercials, and figure with the death of the pitchmen the playtime of them will drop to nothing? Or did you say something about tap dancing on his grave that just isn't displaying on my computer?)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-857746-100x100.png\")
@Trai_Dep: I hope your remote breaks right when comes on and you have no choice but to watch it because you have a lap full of stuff. Just for that ass comment.
Stupid jokes THE DAY somebody dies? Not cool.
@Vanilla5:
I'll just toss a quote in here..
\"By the way, if anyone here is in advertising or marketing, kill yourself... No really, there's no rationalization for what you do, and you are Satan's little helpers, OK? Kill yourselves, seriously. You're the ruin-er of all things good. Seriously, no, this is not a joke.\" -- Bill Hicks
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-413503-100x100.png\")
@Trai_Dep: Unfortunately, not seeing a Billy Mays commercial isn't in the \"Life's Achievement\" section.
Although if it was and you saw one of his commercials, you would have to kill yourself and start over. Maybe at the nearest Save Point?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-851357-100x100.png\")
@Trai_Dep: Yes, now that the man has died, I suspect the number of his infomercials running on TV will drop off dramatically and you will have little difficulty keeping your streak going.
This may be the most idiotic comments you have ever made. I hope you have the decency to retract it.
@HiPwr: A consumer blog probably isn't the best place to find fawning eulogies for a pitchman for overpriced, overhyped, orange-colored Windex. Even one paying top dollar to ensure his infomercials are blanketed, wall-to-wall on all those triple-digit cable channels.
Sorry about that.
And guys? He's a paid spokesmodel. He's not your friend. You don't know him. He doesn't even know you exist, beyond receiving your three payments of $19.99 that time before last.
Yeesh - guys with hatchets are breaking up peaceful protesters who simply want their vote counted in Iran. Let's save a bit of sympathy for them?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-188412-100x100.png\")
@Trai_Dep: The indication here appears to be that a death is not deserving of respect because of the job this man did.
No one is putting on a black veil and quietly sobbing, but they're also not doing a Nelson Muntz and pointing at the grave and going \"ha-hah!\" about it, except it seems you.
Believe it or not, some people manage to respect the recently departed's family's feelings even when the person who died is not their friend or someone they know.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-907419-100x100.png\")
@ShariC: @HiPwr: @xkevin: @HiPwr: Man you people (yes I'm lumping you into a category) will take any excuse to be self-righteous won't you? No one deserves to be subjected to your unbearable preaching, even on the internet. Take the pickle/pretzel/lead pipe that is undoubtedly lodged in your ass and calm down.
@EinhornIsAMan!: What makes you so qualified to lecture me and others? There's a saying about two kitchen implements you might want to keep in mind.
@HiPwr: The only thing I'm doing is defending Trai_dep from you jackasses getting all up in a tither over some comment he made. I called you a self-righteous douchebag and told you to stfu and get over yourself. I didn't give you a morality lecture.
And you realize you're refuting nothing by saying it's like the pot calling the kettle black right?
@EinhornIsAMan!: You're free to criticize me and call me names. And you are free to defend poor widdle Trai_Dep, too.
I'm simply pointing out that it is rather despicable to take joy in someone else's demise so that you don't have to risk suffering through one of their infomercials. But if that's what gets Trai_Dep off, then \"Yay, HIM/HER!\"
If you think that is self righteous, then you and I don't understand the term the same way.
I'm right, by the way.
@Trai_Dep: I find your posts quite interesting however I can't help but pick out the underlying sense of jealousy or even resentment. Fact of the matter is Mays was a pitchman who was good at what he did. Since he wasn't in the business of hurting people, you really can't fault him for anything other than being successful. You could argue his commercials are annoying but that's more reflective on the creators (producers, writers, etc.) of the segment.
@xkevin: But I didn't say I'm doing backflips that anyone died. But schlock is schlock. So, yay, avoiding schlock!
Seriously. Squee-gee pads? Orange Windex? That's the baseline these days?
If we are going to play the Celebrities Worthy of Shedding a Tear Over game (rolling eyes), there are ones who've recently passed that have shown more personal courage, or others who've left us with a far more real, lasting legacy.
With cats even.
@Trai_Dep: You're right, I've never met Mays. Or Michael Jackson, or Farah Fawcet, or Ed McMahon or any other celebrity that died this week. And I'm not going to light a candle for any of them.
But I'm not going to ridicule those that mourn their deaths (whether they met them, or not). I'll leave that to judgemental people like you.
You appear harbor a bit of resentment for this Mr. Mays. Perhaps you have met him despite never having had to endure one of his informercials?
Or is it because he was a self made man who earned his fortune without the help of the government or unions?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-453211-100x100.png\")
@everyone: Please. If he wasn't dead, you'd all still be making fun of him as usual. This is the internet, not his innermost circle of friends.
Sad and quite the shame, but I doubt he had any significant impact on any of your lives. Stop pretending he did. Almost 10,000 other people will die today -- why aren't you crying over them too?
@supercereal: Not getting in the comment AT ALL, but...
It's actually estimated that 150,000 people die a day.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-135332-100x100.png\")
@supercereal: Maybe we are. But just not in this thread. There are other forums out there if you forgot.
@supercereal: Who's crying? I'm just pointing out that Trai_Dep made a jackass comment. Perhaps you see the Internet as somewhere to lose all of your inhibitions and civility. I don't. I try my best to be respectful of everyone in this forum regardless of how I feel about their views. But, I reserve the right to call out a really dumbass comment when I see it.
Respect? Why? For all we know, he hung himself on a Hurcules Hook. Maybe all those Big Shitty Sliders he ate caused the Mighty Putty like cholesterol to clog his arteries? Or when he was trying to wash down all that food, maybe he got Orange Glo mixed up with Tropicana... That OxiClean stuff releases bubbles of crap into the air, maybe he died from inhalation?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-38607-100x100.png\")
@iambeaker: I had to read Trai_Dip's comment a few times to find out why it deserved calling him dipshit. So Trai_Dip watches PBS in perfectly creased slacks, and a bow tie. What do you care? Sure he is kind of saying that Mr Mays death improved his own culture a bit -- but again, i had to read the comment over and over and may be imaging things
@iambeaker: Being copacetic with not seeing a plethora of late-night overhyped sales pitches is a vile insult directed at some guy who's recently passed? What an odd, misplaced overreaction.
So, being glad at not entering the Publishing Clearinghouse contests is the same as stealing Ed McMahon's corpse and mounting it on my car hood?
One can express not liking a TV pitchman's life's work without wishing him dead while tap-dancing on his grave. You really need to recalibrate your life's priorities.
You might also want to consider removing infomercial spokesmodels from your pantheon of greatest personal heroes. Really, you can do better (no slight against Mays, but c'mon...)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-776577-100x100.png\")
@hedonia: Maybe it's how you interpret his post, but I didn't see anything particularly awful in it.
Unless of course he meant that Billy's death significantly lowers the odds that he'll ever see one of his commercials, in which case, yeah, that's a bit insensitive.
@Cyberxion101: His concern seems to be more with his streak than the death of a decent seeming guy that was in the public spotlight.
Sometimes it's alright to joke about someones death. In case anyone is wondering, the day of is too soon.
Apparently Billy was also going in for a hip replacement tomorrow. He was a great and wonderful man.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-375555-100x100.png\")
Questionable products but great pitchman .. thoughts are with his family
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-570288-100x100.png\")
@blueneon: I heard that all of his products were the real thing. I don't have personal experience with any of them, but I read an article (the American Airlanes in-flight mag) where he really stood behind his products.
@blueneon: see i dont know about questionable. Like Ron Poiel? Billy was one of those guys who typically hawked stuff that worked.
Maybe stuff you didnt NEED, but it did do what he said it would do, even the more strange ones like Mighty Putty (which btw worked great in modeling, which given it was a decent epoxy putty was not surprising)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-513573-100x100.png\")
@blueneon: I like OxyClean. Add some of that powder to a basin of water and soak whatever has a stain on it. Granted, it doesn't work as fast as it does in the commercial, but it will work.
The blurb/first paragraph here is kind of in bad taste.
@Jp McCarthy: It really is a tragedy for the family. Although they plan on going with a lavish funeral, they have asked that, in lieu of flowers, you make three easy payments to a charity of your choice.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-890779-100x100.png\")
@Jp McCarthy: Oh please. Why does the passing of someone (who coincidentally NONE of you know) have to be such a somber, stick up the ass affair. Tear drops and flowers all around, oh GOD we will miss him so much!!!!
I can't speak for him, but personally I hope my funeral is more like a keg party than.. well.. a funeral. With explicit instructions to kick everyone out that displays \"shock and contempt!\" at the lack of respect for the dead.
@Radi0logy: THANK YOU. This is something I've been saying all week with all these famous people dying. Michael Jackson was kind of one thing because he was an inspiration to so many people, but Billy Mays? Did you know them personally? More than likely not. So say a quick prayer of keep the family in your thoughts if that's your thing, but don't act like you're grieving at the loss of your best friend.
@Benguin: \"Michael Jackson was kind of one thing because he was an inspiration to so many people...\"
Like the dues-paying members of NAMBLA, Gary Glitter, and L. Ron Hubbard.
Because did ya everthing there may be someone whos reading this that actualy DID KNOW HIM personally, as in have family that knows his mother back home McKees Rocks, PA, whent to the same school as him, ect. because guess what shitbird
I DO
@Radi0logy: After watching his demeanor on his commercials, at trade shows, and on the TV show, Mays does not seem like the type of guy that would curse anyone laughing or making jokes if its all in good fun.
Hell, that first line Carey wrote sounds like something Mays would have wrote himself.
@Radi0logy: Absolutely. It's a tragedy for his family, no doubt, but I can't sit here and pretend that he was my best friend or how much I'll miss him.
People die everyday. Quit pretending you feel bad for someone you had no connection to, without giving though to the thousands of other people who will die today that you also had no connection to.
That said, it's a shame for anyone to die that early in life.
@Jp McCarthy: Really bad taste, what the hell is wrong with people. The dude is dead which means no more infomercials (with him in it) to talk about, hate, like whatever. These blog writers need a class on empathy...assholes.
Maybe now Michael Jackson will be relegated to page 2.
TMZ is reporting that he'd hit his head hard during a rough airplane landing the previous day, because he wasn't wearing his seatbelt, and so may have died of a subdural hematoma. If true, I'm sorry, ghost of Billy, but that was just dumb of you.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-129735-100x100.png\")
@Xanaxian: If this is true, I see a brand new market for the Sorbeez.
\"Have you ever been in a situation where you might hit your head and die, and wearing a helmet would have just looked silly? Introducing the Sorbeez Head cushion. Just place it on your head, and secure with the patented hook and loop fastening strip. It allows your head to breathe, while wicking up moisture, and it is machine washable. The Sorbeez Head Cushion provides protection against head impacts up to 0.4Gs. Order Now!\"
@Xanaxian: Wow. Do you all remember Natasha Richardson's death? Do you think this was the same idea?
@Xanaxian: IMO, the greatest probability (assuming he didn't just have an unanticipated heart attack) is that he suffered a pulmonary embolism because of having been on a flight, rather than a random, apparently minor bump on the noggin.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-53958-100x100.png\")
@Shane Elliott: Let's not forget Natasha Richardson - she felt she was fine on that ski slope and the real effects hours later.
Poor Billy will miss him. He shouted a lot but I always chalked that up to enthusiasm.
@Xanaxian: No, TMZ is reporting that the FAA said he wasn't wearing his seat belt. Billy says overhead items were falling and he got hit on the head. The front tires blew out and many passengers had bumps and bruises. They were stuck on the plane for hours before being allowed off. I'm skeptical of the \"not wearing a seat belt\" claim.
@IfThenElvis: Well, see, there was a boy at my school who died after someone caused him trauma to the head. However, the boy came home and insisted he was fine, just that he didn't feel very well. He went to sleep, but went into a coma and didn't wake up. I'm wondering if the same sort of thing happened here...
FAA retracted its statement that he wasn't wearing his seatbelt. Bags fell and hit him. He's basically a victim of US Airways being too cheap to let you check a bag for free. May Doug Parker rot in hell...drunk a.$hole (yes, the CEO of US Airways has a few dui's under his belt)
Here's the plane. It wasn't just a blown tire...the entire landing gear collapsed.
@IfThenElvis: I'm skeptical of that claim as well. It's not like an attendant was standing there watching him during the landing. I imagine they were seated as well - per airline policy.
Thanks for introducing me to OxyClean, Mr. Mays. That stuff is great.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-329214-100x100.png\")
@TheUncleBob: IT SURE IS! OXY CLEAN BABY IS AMAZING- BAD STAIN ON YOUR KIDS CLOTHES COME OUT WITH ONE SPRAY, WIPE, AND YOU'RE DONE!!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-488475-100x100.png\")
I just turned on my browser, and Yahoo came up and there it was. I was like WHAT???
THEY'RE DROPPING LIKE FLIES!!!!!
@HogwartsAlum: Dave Letterman was right. We have a serious shortage of celebrities in America today.
Man, I actually liked this guy. Now what, I have to buy my as seen on TV products from fugly, hooker beating creeps
@EinhornIsAMan!: Sully didn't beat up any hookers, he has a English accent, AND he's Church of England, which is better than Offer's Scientology.
@SybilDisobedience: But he was. Vince only got in a fight with a hooker once, but do we consider him an Ex-Hooker Puncher?
There is the old wives tale of death coming in three's. My condolence to his family. As stated earlier, he was loud and in your face but he seemed like a good guy.
@lvixen: They don't come in threes. Patterns of threes are just more attractive to the mind. Hence the format of many jokes, etc. You perceive it as three.
@EinhornIsAMan!: Damn.
I was fond of the idea of crazed numerologist hit men called into action whenever just two celebrities passed away closely together. If nothing else, it made me fear my seventh-grade Algebra teacher just a bit more.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-483565-100x100.png\")
@morlo: A bit under 2, by my calculations (based, in good faith, on the 150,000 per day figure upstream).
@lvixen: Yes, I'm sure that in the WHOLE WORLD, there's JUST these three people (actually its four so I don't know why you said that anyways) that just died!! Omg! It must be fate.
Billy Mays was entertaining to watch. Pitchmen was pretty awesome too. This really kinda sucks and I feel for his wife Immensely.
@arthurborko: I do as well. Fifty is incredibly young to be dyingi by today's standards and this kind of thing is hard for any family.
One of my employees died the day AFTER his 50th birthday while jogging with his kid. He'd been given a clean bill of health the week before by the doc. He ate like a vegetarian (that liked tuna fish). Man, he was so great.
Looks like the ShamWow guy just got his big break.
@clicketyclack: I had to stop myself from wishing it were the ShamWow guy instead. I don't wish evil on him, but that guy is the epitome of slimy hustler
@clicketyclack: While I wish people success in their professional (legal) ventures, I sure fucking hope not. He's no Billy Mays.
Sorry the guy died but slightly relieved that my ears won't be assaulted while I dive for the mute button any longer.
I have to wonder if the already existing commercials will be played by those companies or if they will drop them out of some sort of respect.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-665153-100x100.png\")
Wow... just saw him on Conan a few days ago. He looked great.
I'm gonna pour a 40 of Orange Glo on the curb for you, Mr. Mays.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-88249-100x100.png\")
@Kaiser-Homerhead: As a big fan of Billy, I would enjoy doing the same. I think if he could read your comment, he'd laugh.
@Kaiser-Homerhead: See, this is how you make a light-hearted comment that doesn't make people cringe =)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-100023-100x100.png\")
They are saying he was on that US Air flight yesterday that had the rough landing, and he was hit on the head by a piece of luggage.
He was supposedly fine, and then he didn't wake up this morning.
Was one of the few that I noticed and would grab my attention on somethings instead of just flipping the channel right away.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-332258-100x100.png\")
I couldn't stand this guy when he first appearing on TV years ago. But then I mellowed out and would chuckle when bumping into his commercials. He was a good guy.
It's a shame. My condolences to the family
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-255368-100x100.png\")
He was loved in a special unique way. You could tell that he really was having a great time, and believed in what he was doing. Even though it was sometimes irritating, he was damn good at what he did. Everyone should be so lucky.
Now, Billy's going to make a killing selling Oxy-Clean to keep the Angel's robes sparkling white, and Orange-Glo to keep those halos polished to perfection. Going for the big close.
God bless his family, too.
\"But wait, there's more!\" was Ron Popeil's thing, not Billy Mays
Goodbye, Billy Mays. I loved Pitchmen and you always made me laugh. Now, I think I may cry if I see another Oxiclean commerical.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-716547-100x100.png\")
So USAir killed him. Hopefully they will sue them.
Everyone forgets Carradine is in the cadre of recently deceased celebrities -
Carradine
Fawcett
Jackson
McMahon
Mays
Nearly -
Cronkite
@seamer:
Carradine - I still can't believe his family kept his death in the news with their conspiracy stuff: they ended up outing his death as being due to autoerotic hanging, they should have just left that detail stay private.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-363287-100x100.png\")
@seamer: It is a bit weird seeing all these iconic folk passing. I can't say Mays did anything for me but if there were a \"king of barkers\" category, I'd have a hard time coming up with anybody more deserving.
Kung Fu
70's postergirl
Pop
Sidekick
Barker
News
That's a lot of Kings. Enough for now, please.
I never quite understood this thing we have about those that have past on and our feelings towards them, meaning the whole respect for the dead/family thing. I've always thought & said the same about someone when dead as alive, not that anyone should go out of their way to take a particular opportunity in the death to bash the departed unecessarily. I'm not really a fan of anyone who makes their living hawking products to generally less savy consumers that would otherwise not buy the product if more fully informed of costs (S&H, additional seperate S&H, etc.), alternatives, and drawbacks (to me a lack of full disclosure & twisted stats/statements are lies). I guess I'm just not enough of a capitalist to appreciate this sort of marketing.
@wvFrugan: Atleast from what was on Pitchmen, it seems that every product that they pitched was on the up and up. Mays seemed to really put his rep behind the products, and did what he needed to make sure the products lived up to that rep.
Funny, I was up most of the night last night with my back & neck killing me & saw a bit of \"The Pitchmen\" (they were having trouble with getting some wiper blade (\"the gator\" I think they called it?) thing to work properly for filming) and a bit later the infomercial for the dual saw with him. It didn't change my opinion, but I didn't see it all and am a rather jaded person when it come to capitalism's commercial/marketing aspects, and generaly \"mean & surly\".
That was done up for the show. Notice that on many of the \"good\" products, they still gave it numerous tries to make it work (i.e. the shower cleaner stuff). On the mighty putty example with the boat, they admitted that the also used rivets on the boat paddles... Also, the Awesome Auger one is VERY deceptive - they aug loose potting soil/wood chips! Try using that pos in real dirt...
@silver-bolt: I agree. He and Sully seemed to take pride in the inventors they discovered and took it upon themselves to make sure the product worked before endorsing it. The show completely changed my opinion of him.
@wvFrugan: Informed of costs? His infomercials stated the S&H, there was no bait and switch tactics or anything like that. Secondly, what kind of commercial or advertisement for a product lists its drawbacks? None, with the exception of pharmaceuticals.
The guy was a salesmen, plain and simple. He was also a great person to independent inventors.
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How awful for his family. I'm surprised by how bummed out I am. The fact that he pitched Oxyclean, and Oxyclean is awesome, made me a bit less skeptical of other products that he pitched. RIP Billy.
I don't wish anyone dead but I certainly won't miss this guy. His loud in your face voice honestly just pissed me off and was more likely to make me NOT purchase the product he was pitching.
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Some of these threads just reinforce my desire for a \"hide user's comments\" button across all threads. Or a report button. No decency.
And while we're on the topic of decency, that intro was just inappropriate.
But now I'm just being anal retentive. *sigh* What a crummy week.
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I've always said that I wish this guy would stop YELLING AT ME all the time. But this is not quite the way I expected it. Sorry to see him go.
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What's become apparent to me and frankly extremely depressing is the fact that if I live to at least 70 every celebrity I've ever been a fan of will have died. Every single one of them in my lifetime. I can't get over how much life sucks sometimes.
This actually saddens me a bit. I never really paid attention to the infomercials, and did what I could to tune them out. But I watched a few episodes of Pitchmen, and I got to like the guy.
Before I would find him annoying, but ever since i started watching his \"Pitchmen\" on the discovery channel i really started to like him.
Wether you like him or not he was good at what he did and if you ever saw the show Pitchmen you'll see how professional he was giving his all for any product he sold . I never saw him preach politics or get melicious with anyone . He was of those people that seemingly went through life doing their legal thing without messing with anyone else .
I'd rather have Billy Mays sell me something rather than a pimply faced kid at Best Buy or 1000 dollar suit wearing used car salesman . Selling is part of capitalism which helps enable stuff like free speech because you have choices to ponder .
I wouldn't buy most stuff from an informercial period . Nor would I buy a car to the get the girl in the slinky dress or bikini that they will supposedly attract . You are sold all the time in a capitalist economy . And especially with a TV infomercial you have that choice to change the channel,turn it off or turn the page in a magazine .
This isn't about who was more important,famous or infamous it's about Billy Mays . At least Billy Mays wasn't sleeping with strange children or going into foreclosure AFTER making MILLIONS . Nor did Billy Mays walk away from an obvious meal ticket early in his career . Yeah there are crooks and liars in capitalism but you were not asked to sign away your life for a house or to apply for a credit card just for a bottle of soda .
What's really going on?! All this is freakin me out a little bit...especially after just watching angels and demons....
After an ad of his ended the news reported his death. I don't think they realized that ad just played. It was kind of weird like seeing a ghost.
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...and said to himself one last time, \"but wait, there's more!\"
OK...now that I've finished laughing I have to say just how wrong that is.....funny as hell....but wrong.
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Seat beats are great! Great yours today! Oh, Billie, guess you didn't think they were so great or you were incapable of being harmed. Vince must be laughing his ass off.
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Hate to see this. 50 is way to young to die. BM seemed like a guy that when the lights of the studio were flipped off ,would be a great guy to have a beer (or 2) with. Even though he was usually yelling at you louder than your ex-wife , he would happily loan you his new lawn mower if you were a friend or neighbor.
Too bad he didn't shill for one of those fraud Acai Berry juice thingies. We could raise a glass of that (sweetened with a little vodka) to his memory...
My question is how much will the shipping and handling be to send Billy's body home? Using the fact that shipping and handling of the Awesome Auger is over $70, I would guess shipping his body would cost in the thousands.
Good riddance Billy. The world will be much better off without you and the companies you represent ripping off the public.
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I am so sad. RIP Billy :(
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Ok, the woman with the highest sold poster in history dies, the man with the most records sold dies, the pitchman who sold the mostcleaning, home-based, and maintenance products dies. What the HELL is going on???
@BeFrugalNotCheap:
But seriously, I feel bad for his family. He seemed like a cool dude and was a fine TV pitch-man. Now as for Kevin Trudeau and my question as to why any God would take Billy away yet allow Kevin to walk the earth, that I'll keep to myself. :)
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It looks like we will have a double trifecta this month. Just one more celebrity needs to die...
Never like this BM much. But it sucks to die that way - getting hit in the head - if that turns out to be the case.
DOWn, baby, DOWn!
@parrotuya: In that case, are we looking at a trifecta of trifectas? Is this a sign of the Apocalypse?
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Yeah, this is a real shame. His son randomly started following me on Twitter one day, so I did the same, and then started following Billy shortly there after. I've always loved his infomercials and, for the most part, Billy sells good products that work.. not crap or scam products.
It's a real loss, especially because he was so young and recently he and his wife had a young daughter. It's a shame.
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Who's next, the Sham-Wow guy?
Damm - he Was a fun guy to watch , RIP
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I'm amazed the guy would fly US Air.
I wouldn't fly US Air.
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Annoying or not, his commercials were MEMORABLE which is the goal of marketing. They want you to remember that commercial you saw, consciously or subconsciously. You say Billy Mays.. I say Oxiclean. You say Billy Mays.. I say OrangeGlo. In that respect, eveyone one of his pitches was a complete success and he made serious money for the people who sell the products.
so 50 is the key number of interest here....I've to make sure to do all things I haven't done before I reach 50 yrs old.
does any1 else see the trend here?
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Tasteless joke. What is this, Gawker? Absolutely disgusting on a site I generally find to be very good.
KABOOM ... Hit it with the POWER of Oxygen .. Shabam!.. RIP billy...
He put the Orange glow in my day.
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I wasn't a fan and won't be crying on my pillow over Billy's loss, but it does seem disrespectful to make posts making fun of him because we won't have to see his commercials anymore, now that he's dead and all.
I noticed this same thing when Steve Irwin died. People on various message boards I visit were making fun of his death because they thought he was stupid and it just wasn't cool.
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Not like I want anything to happen, but Patrick Swayze is back in the hospital. God is picking them off rather quickly, and going with well-known celebrities...
I'm afraid to refresh my browser!
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I loved watching Pitchmen and I have no clue what Discovery is going to do now. I was never a fan of Billy Mays till I started watching the show. I always thought he was pitching junk but he was not. He was pitching things that actually work.
Until Pitchmen came along I thought he was an annoying asshole. I was proven wrong. He was a very kind and loving person and it took him twenty years to reach the level he was at. I'll miss him shouting from my speakers and I wish his family the best.
@HiPwr: You're right, are you? Quite impossible as there are no objective moral principles. But I sympathize, impacted bowels suck. Perhaps someone got sick of your preaching and stuck their foot up your ass?
@EinhornIsAMan!: Your intellect is staggering. I guess insults is the best you can do? The Internet makes people so brave.
@HiPwr: Wha... What?!
Unions? Government?!
Ye gods, everything is a Crossfire moment for you, isn't it?
Aren't you slandering the hallowed ghost of St Mays by dragging his corpse out, propping him up and moving his rigor mortissed jaw up and down so that you can launch yet another tired political argument that's so totally inappropriate in this time of national - nay, g-l-o-b-a-l grieving? AREN'T YOU?!!
@MustyBuckets, EinhornIsAMan!, FlyersFan, Julius_Seizure: Thanks, guys, appreciated!
@Trai_Dep: I was just trying to determine the motivation for you contempt. From your posts, you hold unions and government dear and entrepreneurism and industry in disdain.
I'll stop. Your nightmare is over and MustyBuckets, EinhornIsAMan!, FlyersFan, Julius_Seizure can stop rending their clothes and gnashing their teeth over your horrible mistreatment.
@HiPwr: Regardless of your issue with Trai_Dep, my dislike of Billy Mays was the fact that he was a screaming, carnie huckster for dollar store goods. His ridiculous rhyme-time commercials were nearly impossible to avoid no matter what channel was on and I would go so far as to mute the TV during commercials just so I wouldn't have to hear his voice. It's not like changing the channel would have accomplished anything other than running into another Mays commercial. Am I really supposed to feel bad that there's a likely chance I won't have to hear another one of his commercials?
My tax dollars funding illegal wars is much more of a pressing issue to me than the death of some shmohawk who schlubbed the Awesome Auger.
@Julius_Seizure: Yeah, that's the thing, and my point.
If a loan shark croaked, I'd be sad for the individual but would still heap scorn on his profession. Even if he plastered the neighborhood with fliers hyping his services to the point that the rubes felt they knew him or that they weren't anything other than a walking dollar sign in his eyes.
Same thing with this guy. Slightly more respectable profession. Depressingly, the same degree of deluded customers.
In the end, his epitaph will read: Here lies a man who sold a lot of orange Windex at a high markup. But by paying a small fortune to get his face on TV a lot, he'll be missed by some that confuse repeated exposure with familiarity or accomplishment. The end.
Sad to see a human pass this coil, don't get me wrong. But it doesn't mean anyone's life work gets a pass. Saint Peter doesn't do so, why should we?
will his grave read \"Billy Mays Here\"?
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Between Billy Mays and Natasha Richardson, I think none of us should ever again get hit in the head with a heavy object and just brush it off.
Of course I don't know if that was the cause of Mays' death, but there does seem to be some sort of connection.
@Kitteridge: I don't know how long he was sitting on the plane but perhaps he developed deep vein thrombosis I think which is caused by the lack of movement and tight quarters allowing blood clots to form ?
Now I'm seeing where he didn't feel good before he went to bed ?
Might have something there .
That Pitchmen show on Discovery is great and did make me sad to see him go in the prime of his career. He was good at his job, loved his job, and made a lot of money doing it. Nothing not to like there!
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Seriously? I wanted to watch pitchmen so much, this is really sad! Poor guy!
I liked Billy Mays. His voice was a little loud, but he really seemed to enjoy what he was doing. And infomercials usually amuse me.
All these incidents with younger people not feeling well before bed and dying in their sleep are frightening. The Levi Yitzchak Wolowik case in Cedarhurst a few months ago; it was like SIDS except in a 9-year-old. Truly awful for the families. The human head is deceptively fragile.
But wait, there's mort.
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HI BILLY MAYS GHOST HERE...
I'm sadder over his death than anyone else who recently died.
People at \"Oh No They Didn't\" spent the next 24 hours typing in all caps in his honor.
I WOULD HAVE TYPED THIS ENTIRE COMMENT IN ALL CAPS IF I THOUGHT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT.
@Rectilinear Propagation: CAPS ALL DAY 4 BILLY MAYS!
I watched \"Pitchmen\" in his honor last night. Crazy thick beard, but he seemed like a genuinely nice person.
WHYYYY MR BILLY MAYS, WHYYYYY
TAKE THE SHAMWOW GUY, HE CAN CLEAN YOUR SPILLS
...At least billy didn't get caught with a sadomasacist hooker..
My day was ruined when I heard that he died. I'm already tired of all of the MJ stuff.
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After watching this season's Pitchmen, I grew to like Billy for what he is.
He's got an infectious enthusiasm, a great sense of humor, and a talent to win people over with his charm.
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I think if anything, there will now be MORE Billy Mays commercials out there. His dying creates a new fanbase of people interested in seeing what he was all about. Plus, those commercials are already made and they need to get the maximum amount of $$ off of them before they are made obsolete for some reason other than Mays dying. I bet there is a TON of footage with him hocking products that we've never even seen. I expect to see that coming up soon and fast. There is no such thing as bad publicity right? Even death...
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HI BILLY MAYS HERE WITH ANOTHER FANTASTIC PRODUCT..
I'm gonna miss that =/
@Wolzard:
I've never been a fan of his commercials, or even hated most of them, but for some reason, find myself quite saddened by his passing. RIP Billy Mays.
@Wolzard:
Now who's going to pitch the shamwow2, the cloth for your teabag?
@Wolzard:
I don't miss any commercials