 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pitchmen
- Discovery Channel
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Secrets of the infomercial exposed; OK for older kids.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this show about how commercials are made for direct-order products might make you think twice the next time you see an infomerical on TV. Not surprisingly, many real-world products are featured, and some of the industry's tricks of the trade are exposed. While the topic may not appeal to many kids, there's not much in the way of age-inappropriate content except for a few bleeped swear words and occasional celebratory drinks. There is a lot of bickering between the hosts, but it's not mean-spirited.
What's the story?
But wait, there's more! In a way, PITCHMEN is, at its core, about how that iconic phrase has become a part of our cultural lexicon. Infomercial hosts Billy Mays and Anthony "Sully" Sullivan work with inventors of various odd products to make ads for the direct-order market. The series documents the process all the way from the inventor's pitch to how some of the products are made to how well they eventually do on the market.
Is it any good?
Pitchmen is suprisingly fun. While watching Mays and Sullivan bicker might get grating after an episode or two, the process is fascinating and the storytelling is clean and even funny at times. And there are lots of engaging interviews with the inventors.
While the hosts clearly relish their role in helping inventors make their dreams come true, they do place a lot of emphasis on products. That said, a lot of those products are designed to make people's lives better, and ultimately, that's what sells -- so it's a win-win situation, with or without a special bonus offer thrown in.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what this show teaches viewers about how products are marketed. What tactics do the hosts use? How does that affect your perception of the product they're demonstrating?
How are the techniques described here similar to and different from
those used in more conventional advertising? Which has a stronger
impact on you? Why?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
RIP Billy Mays
RIP Billy Mays!! Oxy clean rox!!!
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AGE
COPIED PRODUCT!
This show says it features new inventions but what I have seen is it copies other peoples products and features them as there own. Not very good for business... The GATORBLADE is a full blown copy of the Scrublade that has been on the market for 4 years and is patent pending. Sully & Billy have known about this for a long time but have decided that there ratings are more important then there character. Put real inventors on the show not people that steal product and name them something different! How do you sleep at night "So CALLED INVENTOR?!"
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Discovery Channel |
| Cast: | Anthony Sullivan, Billy Mays |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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