"And then you buy." Said last night by the master pitchman, Billy Mays, and followed with his famous oxy-white teeth and convincing smile.
With the season finale of "Pitchmen" airing, came a no surprise bummer of an ending to great first season on cable tv. Billy passed away this past Sunday morning in his sleep, due to the coroner's preliminary results of heart disease from hypertension and arteriosclerosis.
This last regular episode, entitled, "Revenge of the Pitchmen", put a spotlight on Mays and Tony Sullivan both desiring revenge against two competing products on the market, pitchman Vince Shlomi's (my hooker bit my lip and wouldn't let go so I beat her) Slap Chop and ShamWow. Mays had pitched the original product versions, Zorbeez and Quick Chop, only to have the knock-offs gain more attention (and sales) in the crazy world of Direct Response Television (DRTV).
Filming for the show wrapped awhile ago, but Mays is seen saying after a reshoot of a new Zorbeez infomercial spot, "I never felt better, stronger. I brought it all..." Billy Mays brought it all to every product he pitched. That's what made him the best and most sought out spokesperson for all infomercial products in the new millenium.
Mays was able to brand himself as the most trusted and respected spokesperson to recommend any product to any coach potato within a 50 feet radius of a turned on television. Other pitchmen in the past, including Ron Popeil and the no-name guy (with the patchwork 80's sweater), succeeded with their own respective products, but didn't have the authority to pitch products in other industries, like Mays could do (iCan insurance).
The boisterous but golden-throated Mays definitely went out on top, the year snowballing for him as a to-be reckoned with celebrity. Along with the "Pitchmen" TV series and a multitude of infomercial spots airing on national TV, he made the rounds on Leno, Conan O' Brian, and various radio stations, all the while ingraining his face and persona even more in the public's mind. Tony Sullivan divulged after the untimely passing, that Mays had just signed a deal with Taco Bell for a series of infomercial style advertisements set to be filmed in August of this year. Billy Mays spent the majority of his life selling products, so the Discovery Channel show ended up being a 13 week, one hour spot on the man himself.
"Hi. Billy Mays here, with the most important product I've ever endorsed.."
Billy Mays.
Stay tuned next week for an additional episode put together in celebration of his life, "Pitchmen. A Tribute to Billy Mays." Airs Thursday July 9th, on the Discovery Channel...
