Program Notes
I’ve always found infomercials to be such a fascinating cultural phenomenon. From the wide range of products featured on these advertisements, the sometimes laughable acting, and the celebrity status of infomercial presenters such as Billy Mays, it’s a unique piece of American culture, for better or worse. I often wonder what was going through the marketing executives’ minds as they were tasked with putting together a commercial for what most people see as a ridiculous product. Do people really have that hard of a time folding their laundry that they need a plastic gadget to help them? Is a blanket not enough to stay warm during a chilly evening? Are these commercials purposefully bad to make a lasting impression, possibly leading to more sales as a result? This fascination resulted in this surreal musical journey through these various commercials.