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28 June 2009

Billy Mays Has Died
post by: deborah at: 17:08 | 16 comments
Without Wikipedia, I would have no idea who this person is. And I'm still not really sure. I mean...I get that he sold stuff on television, but was he particularly loved for some reason? I mean, is it correct to say that he had "fans?" As in: People who would watch his commercials specifically because he was in them?
posted by ColdChef 28 June | 17:19
Oh, and this isn't an attempt at "Look how cool I am, I don't give a shit that this person you liked is dead." I sincerely am curious why this pitchman was of particular note.
posted by ColdChef 28 June | 17:20
Oh, and this isn't an attempt at "Look how cool I am, I don't give a shit that this person you liked is dead." I sincerely am curious why this pitchman was of particular note.

Ah, on preview, I see that he had his own television show. Is it a popular show?
posted by ColdChef 28 June | 17:21
Didn't take it that way, CC. Just thought it interesting that yet another (semi) celeb had passed. And yes, Billy has his fans. I wasn't exactly one, I found him cute but annoying.

I guess it's like Ron Popeil (RonCo - the father of late night shills) or the Shamwow guy died.
posted by deborah 28 June | 17:32
He was SO loud, and SO annoying, and so relentless and unapologetic, and he pitched such crappy and mediocre products, late at night, that he was awesome in his own right.

I guess he kind of grew on me. :)
posted by disclaimer 28 June | 17:44
He was a pop icon in a sense, CC.
posted by Doohickie 28 June | 18:50
WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN THE SHAM-WOW GUY? I ask you, WHY??

I was a fan.
posted by BoringPostcards 28 June | 19:18
He was a cultural icon. And a guy trying to make a living in his own, inimitable way. For some reason, I feel a great deal more upset at Billy Mays' death than at Michael Jackson's. Consumerist's rather idiosyncratic humor didn't help.
posted by Susurration 28 June | 19:18
I thought of BoringPostcards. I remembered that he liked Billy Mays.

The sad part is that it sounds like he might have had a head injury that could have been treated. I have no idea of course, only speculating.
posted by LoriFLA 28 June | 19:24
Hmm, just learned that the Sham-Wow Guy is an ex-Scientologist. I think I'm gonna buy me some Sham-Wow by the case.
posted by dhartung 28 June | 19:43
I have sham-wow in the house thanks to my hubs who bought it at the gun show.

I will smile as I use it, for reasons stated by dhartung. Whee!

Oh, and . for Billy Mays. He was good at what he did.
posted by bunnyfire 28 June | 19:45
It's funny, I didn't know who this guy was at all until he was a guest on Conan last week. Then my friend who I watched with emailed me that he was dead. I knew who he was for about 3 days I guess before he died.
posted by rmless2 28 June | 21:37
Exactly 4 months older than me.
posted by Ardiril 28 June | 23:28
Does Vince the ShamWow guy have an alibi?
posted by it must be bunnies 29 June | 05:31
WHY COULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN THE SHAM-WOW GUY? I ask you, WHY??

Does Vince the ShamWow guy have an alibi?

We'll never know.
posted by Eideteker 29 June | 05:44
Ahh. I'm sad to hear this, I'm a secret infomercial fan. Oxiclean is an awesome product, there is some whizzing around in my washing machine at this very second.
posted by essexjan 29 June | 12:06
← OMG Poignant Bunny Animation! || I saw 2 new bunnies today →

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