as seen on tv
October 1st, 2007 @ 10:04 pm | family, food | Post a CommentMy sister called me in a fit of excitement tonight, proudly exclaiming how she and her husband bought a Silver Bullet over the weekend. After a brief moment that left me wondering why she was telling me about their private bedroom-related purchases, she piped up to clarify that it was actually called the Magic Bullet, not the Silver Bullet, and that it is not a sex toy, but some kind of fancy blender gizmo she saw on TV.
Ahhhh, those four magic words, “As seen on TV.” Apparently this sex kitchen toy does all kinds of things like Makes Smoothies! Minces Garlic! Chops Walnuts! Bakes Pies! Washes Dishes for You While You Eat Your Garlic Walnut Smoothie Pies! All in 10 seconds or less! (Perhaps I’ve overpromised it’s true capabilities. But you get my point.)
My sister was super excited about all the smoothies they’ve been making and was telling me about how they are going to use the Bullet to make fettucine alfredo tonight. I honestly have no idea how a blender-type device aids in cooking a meal made solely of noodles, butter, and cheese, but whatever, right?
I was trying to think if I’ve ever bought anything I saw on an infomercial, and don’t think I have. Sure, I’ve been tempted by the BaconWave and the 6 Second Abs. (Perhaps the purchase of one leads to the other?) And who doesn’t deep down really want a Clapper? But my ultra-cheapness must’ve kicked in before I’ve ever dialed a 1-800 number to place an order.
Tell me, have you ever bought anything “As Seen on TV?” Was it worth it? And, most importantly, would you like to know my sister’s recipe for Magic Bullet Fettucine Alfredo?
We actually bought it at the “As seen on Tv” store in the mall, but we are the proud owners of a Flowbee. My husband had a friend who used one, his hair always looked great so we decided to give it a try. My husband and 11 year old son give themselves haircuts with just a bit of assistance.
When my hair was short I used it too. My stylist friends always raved about my haircuts and were astounded when I shared my secret.
written by motomom
October 1st, 2007 @ 10:21 pm
Don’t be fooled by the high price on their website. We bought this cooking gem for only $49.99 at costco. It’s truly awesome!
written by Karlyn
October 1st, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
Yes! I bought a…wait, ummm, shit. I can’t remember!
But I know I bought something once! I’ll remember…
written by whoorl
October 1st, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
Heh, my mother bought my grandpa one of the Magic Bullets. He was all excited about it, but I honestly do not think he’s ever used the dang thing.
I have wanted to buy things off QVC, you know, things that you would later have huge buyers remorse over. “I needed 35 loose gems of no real value! I’ll buy setting one day! Ooh, and like the Irish inspired craftsmanship on this charm? No no, that isn’t tarnish, it’s charm!”
Luckily I’ve never succumbed to actually purchasing anything… yet.
written by Cricket
October 1st, 2007 @ 11:08 pm
The Magic Bullet is actually awesome.
As for stuff that I’ve bought?
Oxyclean. And yes, it worked.
I bought Ginsu knives as a joke gift for my father at KMart, I think, and they worked well for years, and now he still uses the steak knives and I *think* I bought them for him when I was in junior high.
The Aerobed is awesome.
I did buy Nad’s — at CVS though. I bruised. ‘Twas not pretty. ‘Tis worth the $60 a month now.
I’ve use an ab roller at the gym and I like…
Oh, Windsor Pilates. It’s great.
I still want a Ronco Pasta Machine.
written by Nic
October 1st, 2007 @ 11:22 pm
My Mom and I got all excited and ordered a Ronco Food Dehydrator once. We made dried fruit a few times and jerky once. It was mostly a pain in the butt and very hard to find a place for in the kitchen.
Someone told me I should get a Magic Bullet to make homemade baby food. Karlyn, is it work it!???
written by alison
October 1st, 2007 @ 11:28 pm
The Magic Bullet is fantastic! I have one and if it died I’d go straight out and buy another. I grind coffee beans in it and make margaritas, mainly.
I actually wrote about it here:
http://sliceofpink.typepad.com/blog/2005/07/the_ultimate_pa.html
written by Janet
October 1st, 2007 @ 11:44 pm
I bought Turbo Jam off the TV. *hangs head*
And I would have totally thought the Silver Bullet was a sex toy. Ha!
written by alyndabear
October 2nd, 2007 @ 12:54 am
Once, I purchased a home waxing kit (yes, late at night).
My credit card company was so surprised at the purchase, they called me to verify.
I came to my senses and cancelled the purchase.
written by Jenn Bo
October 2nd, 2007 @ 1:12 am
Never. Especially not after seeing Bridget Jones… Remember the mother getting a job doing infomercials with the orange dude? Now I turn them off every time I see one start to play on TV. Eugh.
written by E :)
October 2nd, 2007 @ 3:40 am
Yes, and they NEVER live up to the expectations.
written by Erika
October 2nd, 2007 @ 7:11 am
Yes, but I went to our “As Seen On TV” store to buy it. I got the Scunci steamer cleaner. And man does it work! My shower had never been cleaner!
I also had an Ab Roller, but not until it made it off of TV and into a Bed Bath & Beyond… It works if you use it. If you don’t use it, it doesn’t work so well…
written by Jane
October 2nd, 2007 @ 7:52 am
I bought the Magic Bullet at Bed Bath and Beyond after going to a friends house who had one. They were making watermelon margaritas with fresh watermelon… yummm. This thing is awesome!!!
written by Jane
October 2nd, 2007 @ 9:01 am
I think JG would divorce me if I ever bought something off TV. But, it takes all my resistance to avoid buying any kind of sweeper/cleaner type device. I just hate housekeeping…
written by RA
October 2nd, 2007 @ 9:35 am
I have been tempted, but I’ve never actually called and ordered. I have bought “As Seen on TV” stuff at Bed Bath and Beyond, though! I heart my turby towel!
I think Magic Bullet sounds even more like a sex toy than Silver Bullet!
written by Operation Pink Herring
October 2nd, 2007 @ 9:51 am
I bought Core Secrets (the giant ball for your abs) and I’m sure if I would actually use it, it would work. I tried it for a week or two, but didn’t stick with it.
I’ve also bought the Worx edge trimmer for hubby for his birthday. He loves it! although I went and ordered it online from Amazon.com after seeing it on TV.
written by Marriage-101
October 2nd, 2007 @ 9:58 am
I have blogged about my mom’s love for QVC before. Because of her dedication to “Quality, Value, Convenience” I indirectly own many as-seen-on-TV items!
I also got those corner shelves that were heavily advertised around the time we went to college. You wedged one in a corner, pulled a spring mechanism on the underside of the shelf and it shot tiny blades out into the wall to hold it in place. It was very handy for dorm life!
written by Laurel
October 2nd, 2007 @ 10:54 am
I’ve seen the Bullet at Target and Costco, too. You know it must be okay if Costco is selling it.
written by Janet
October 2nd, 2007 @ 11:00 am
I bought an Ab Lounger, and my wife has bought some good work out videos on tv.
~Jef
written by Edge
October 2nd, 2007 @ 11:21 am
OMG. I actually bought an eyebrow painting kit – COMPLETE WITH STENCILS! – off of QVC. I used it once and looked like a hooker. I couldn’t bring myself to throw it out though. Actually, still can’t.
written by kris
October 2nd, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
A friend of mine bought me one of those things that opens up those stupid plastic packages that like everything comes in.
It’s handy.
written by Julie
October 2nd, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
I’m happy to say I’ve resisted purchasing as seen on TV items, no matter how tempting they seem.
But all this talk about the fabulousness of the Magic Bullet is making me reconsider…
written by Michelle
October 2nd, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
Tim came home once with a RonCo rotisserie. The first thing I asked was “where in the world are we going to store that thing?” But, see, he was clever and already had a chicken rotisserie-ing in it so we obviously wouldn’t be able to return it easily.
It does make a damn good piece of meat, though, I have to admit.
written by Audrey
October 2nd, 2007 @ 2:18 pm
my favorite thing about the magic bullet infomercial is the plot. it is a bunch of random characters who seem to be waking up in a vacation home and all want different things for breakfast. so weird.
written by betsy
October 2nd, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
I bought some of those miracle blade knives for my husband for Christmas because for some strange reason that’s what he wanted. Pretty impressive at first, but not so much after a couple of years. I’ve seen infomercials for the Magic Bullet and I thought the people who named that thing must not have too much experience in the bedroom.
written by Emily
October 2nd, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Up until a month ago I worked for a company that sold products through infomercials. We actually sold the Magic Bullet! The other products we sold were mostly vitamins and supplements. I don’t believe many of them worked so I would advise you to stay away…
written by Allison
October 3rd, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
I married into a Magic Bullet and loooove it. I make a smoothie every morning for breakfast. I’ve seen them make fettucine alfredo in the commercial but we haven’t tried that yet. We also haven’t tried using it as a sex toy and I’m kind of surprised that I had never made the name connection.
(also, hi! I’m Kayla. Found you from Janssen’s blog. I’m a little late for de-lurking day, but let’s pretend the lateness was intentional and fashionable )
written by Kayla
October 5th, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
I am a big magic bullet fan. I got mine at Heichts (I guess it’s Macy’s now) but I’ve seen them at Kohl’s too. I make fresh homemade salsa and smoothies (among other things) with mine.
I also got the ab roller (probably from an “as seen on tv” store or sears or something) a while ago. It hurt my knees so I didn’t use it much.
written by k
October 26th, 2007 @ 8:16 am
[...] WaPo. I reported back on my fancy outfit you all helped put together. We shared our hypothetical last meals. I painted my room a horrible, horrible color and I owe my mother big time for helping me repaint. [...]
written by love is blonde | blog archives | 2007: still pretty darn good
January 16th, 2008 @ 11:00 pm