Billy Mays’ show must go on June 29, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: Billy Mays, Fox29, Infomercials, Obituary
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Not surprisingly, TV pitchman Billy Mays continued to work on new commercials until the day he died. He was in Bensalem last week finishing up some commercials for Media Enterprises, Inc., the company that produces Mighty Putty and Mighty Mendit. (The rocky landing on a plane from Philadelphia en route to Tampa had nothing to do with his death, an autopsy report said.)
The fate of those commercials has been announced.
Many Billy Mays commercials will be pulled until July 6, the day of his funeral. After that, they will air once again, including new ones premiering July 11.
Here are a few videos from FOX 29. The first features an interview with Billy Mays from June 2008. The second is consumer reporter Michelle Buckman’s memories of meeting the infomercial king.
- A June 2008 visit by FOX 29 cameras to a Billy Mays commercial shoot
- Consumer reporter Michelle Buckman’s reflections on her interview with Billy Mays
Barker barks at White, gives ultimatum June 1, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: Betty White, Bob Barker, Game Show Awards, GSN
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To think it’s all over an elephant.
Two legends and personal favorites — Bob Barker and Betty White — are apparently in a bitter feud. The bitterness has extended to the upcoming 2009 GSN Game Show Awards, which will air Saturday.
Betty White was supposed to be in attendance, but Barker refused to show and receive his Lifetime Achievement Award (which he will win along with Mark Goodson and Monty Hall) if the two were in the same room. White caved and opted to tape her presentation so Barker would show.
The battle began over Billy, an elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo. Barker wanted to move the elephant to another zoo to give it more roaming room, while White wanted to keep it at its currnet location and upgrade the facilities. Ultimately, White’s side won, causing controversy to ensue.
Alan Ludden would be proud.
Despite worldwide attention, Boyle lost? May 31, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: Adam Lambert, American Idol, Britain's Got Talent, Kris Allen, Susan Boyle
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She became a worldwide phenomenon after her surprising performance on Britain’s Got Talent. Her YouTube video became one of the most popular in the world.
And Britain didn’t vote for her.
From my point of view, Boyle deserved the dropped jaws she received following her initial performance, but frankly, I don’t understand all the hype. But most of the world did — except Britain.
Frankly, I don’t take this personally; I just think it’s incredibly ironic and is a classic example of the media vs. the people. The media blew Boyle’s story incredibly out of proportion, and that may have carried some of her stardom through Britain’s Got Talent.
It’s fairly similar to this season’s American Idol. The media can’t say one negative thing about Adam Lambert, but he didn’t win. Kris Allen just can’t compete, they said. And then, there’s uproar once Allen wins.
Lambert, like Boyle, is a love or hate kind of performer. Either you get him or you don’t. I believe the media misrepresented what many thought about Lambert. I think most of America couldn’t stand him (like me).
Anywho, Boyle didn’t win, yet she’ll have a somewhat successful career if she can find someone who can make her more marketable.
I’m sensing a Boyle-Lambert duet. I’d buy that on iTunes.
ABC stars join forces for a minute May 28, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: ABC, Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Lost, Tom Bergeron
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Your favorite ABC shows are represented for these house promos for the net. Worth checking out. Both start out the same for about :40 but have different endings.
Some shows/personalities featured: Desperate Housewives, Lost, (my idol) Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars judges, Grey’s Anatomy and … is that Wipeout?
That’s what they said: TV’s funniest phrases May 28, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: Catchphrases, Seinfeld, Television
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The Paley Center for Media and NBC had nothing better to do, so they compiled a list of the 50 funniest phrases television has seen.
The funniest phrase TV has ever seen is from Seinfeld, Elaine specifically, with “Yada, yada, yada.” The show also made the list with “No soup for you” (#21) and “Hello, Newman” (#50).
The Office made the list with “That’s what she said” (#12), while Family Matters’ Steve Urkel made the list at No. 19 with “Did I do that?”
My favorite category, the best game show catchphrases, featured “Come on Down” (#3), “Deal or no deal?” (#2) and “Is that your final answer?” (#1).
Not so hard to find Waldo April 4, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: Guiness Book of World Records, Rutgers, Where's Waldo
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Rutgers University had a clever idea. It’s really quite a simple task when you think about it.
Why not gather a world-record number of Waldos in one room?
So… they did.
Rutgers gathered 1,052 Waldo characters, based off the Where’s Waldo book series — good enough for the Guiness Book of World Records. In the end, it was also for a good cause. The lookalikes collected 3,186 children’s books for public libraries in New Brunswick, N.J.
Jimmy Rollins on Letterman, YouTube March 4, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase, Philadelphia.Tags: David Letterman, Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia Phillies
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Jimmy Rollins is taking advantage of his World Series title.
On Thursday, he’ll appear on The Late Show with David Letterman. We’ll see if he makes any predictions on this season while in New York City.
But more importantly, he’s featured in this commercial from Dick’s Sporting Goods. It gives a good laugh.
Time to reminisce about “Come on Down” March 4, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Clips & Videos, Cut to the Chase.Tags: Bob Barker, Spring Break, The Price is Right
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The Temple team who spent Spring Break 2007 sleeping on Fairfax Avenue just to see Bob Barker in 'The Price is Right.' From left, Kaitlyn Kurosky, Courtney Clarahan, Chris Stover, Amanda Laskoskie, Greg Nothstein.
Four years ago today, I experienced a life-altering moment.
I saw Bob Barker live.
So, to reminisce about this experience, my article about the experience which appeared in The Temple News is after the jump.
Letterman: “Sorry you couldn’t be with us.” February 13, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: David Letterman, Joaquin Phoenix
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Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman. Words cannot describe. Only first-hand evidence can.
Blago vs. Letterman. Bets? February 3, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: David Letterman, Rod Blagojevich, YouTube
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Rod Blagojevich can’t get enough of himself.
He made his daytime TV travels last week instead of attending his impeachment trial. A lot of good that did.
And now, according to The Late Show’s Web site, it’ll be Blago vs. Letterman Tuesday night.
We’ve seen Letterman rip O’Reilly (”I have the feeling about 60% of what you say is crap. But I don’t know that for a fact. I’m just spitballing here,” Letterman says to O’Reilly). We’ve seen Letterman praise Obama. So…what’s he gonna do with Blago?
Can’t wait to find out.
In the mean time, here’s a great video from Letterman — the Post Inauguration Roundup.
