What I think is that we in America are constantly sold a bill of goods. We're told one thing by pitchmen and women who assure us if we'd only buy and use their product we'd be as successful as they are at whatever the product allegedly does.
Jane Fonda made millions and created an industry on the success of VHS tapes that promised women that if they merely did the exercises Jane demonstrated on the tapes, they'd look as fabulous as she. LATER we found out she was also bulimic and had tons of plastic surgery and a boob job.
Billy Mays was held up as an incredibly dynamic pitchman with boundless energy and enthusiasm who was so dedicated to the products he sold and so good at it he could sell ice to an Inuit. A typical "self made man," a recent reality show laid out the legend again and again about his energy and enthusiasm.
Discussing his cocaine use is just as germane to this story as one in which a baseball player with a low batting average suddenly becomes a home run king. THEN we find out he's been using steroids. The late Billy Mays is no less guilty of using performance enhancing drugs than Roger Clemens. Allegedly.
To paraphrase a famous graphic novel, who's watching the pitchmen?
Twitter @NamoInExile
Instagram none
Updated On: 8/7/09 at 08:48 PM
