TBO.com reports on a new informercial filmed yesterday for Mighty Thirsty, the newest product from Mighty Brands. Anthony Sullivan inherited the role of Mighty spokesperson from the late Billy Mays. In this new spot, Sully is covered with Mighty Thirsty sponges, hooked to a parasail, then towed by a boat and dunked into the Gulf of Mexico to determine how absorbent the Mighty Thirsty sponges really are. We’re looking forward to seeing the footage, especially the behind the scenes action sure to show up in the new season of Pitchmen.
On June 29, 2009, Billy Mays died suddenly from cardiac arrest. Six months after his passing, Billy’s pitchman career is finally nearing its inevitable end. If you surf late night TV or dedicated infomercial channels, you might see him alongside his Pitchmen partner Anthony “Sully” Sullivan as they cut up everything in sight with the Dual Saw. But his short-form spots are running less and less. Some products that Billy used to pitch, like the Jupiter Jack, are now pitched by Sully in re-shot and re-edited spots.
The last infomercial shot by Billy Mays was for Mighty Tape, a flexible non-adhesive tape that seals leaks. He completed shooting this spot the day before he died. The product has now been renamed Mighty Fixit, with Sully again replacing Billy as pitchman. This new lower-budget spot omits the dramatic underwater scene where Billy repairs a scuba diver’s hose with Mighty Tape. I’ve always wondered if underwater filming somehow contributed to Billy’s death. Is it possible an air bubble got into his bloodstream and stopped his heart? I’m not a doctor, but just sayin’. It’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.
Nothing wrong with Sully taking over from his old friend and partner. That’s business, and Mr. Sullivan is very good at what he does both in front of and behind the camera. Just noting with sadness the end of an era. Direct response TV will never be the same without the booming voice, blue shirt, khaki slacks and jet-black beard of Billy Mays, Jr. While some advertisements remain in the public consciousness for decades, most are forgotten and don’t outlive their usefulness as tools to generate sales. Future generations aren’t likely to know or appreciate the greatest pitchman who ever pitched a product.
Great article and video from tampabay.com profiling Pitchmen Anthony Sullivan and Billy Mays III, who keep on pitching even after the death of master pitchman Billy Mays, Jr.
TMZ.com reports that Mighty Brand president Bill McAllister has decided that Billy Mays is irreplaceable and is offering the role of pitching Mighty Products to Billy’s partner and Pitchmen co-star Anthony “Sully” Sullivan. More as we know it.
Turbo Snake is the latest product endorsed by Anthony Sullivan, co-star with the late Billy Mays in Discovery Channel’s hit TV show Pitchmen. Looks like a very useful and effective product. Who hasn’t had a problem with hair-clogged drains? Still, it’s pretty unappealing to see the globs of decomposing hair it deftly extracts. But since that’s what the product does, how can you not show it? The bigger question: Will consumers buy this product before they actually experience the problem? They will if they’re smart, but most run to the hardware store only after the clogging occurs. Order Turbo Snake now and be prepared!
This news we’ve been waitng for! Press release from Discovery Channel follows:
SECOND SEASON OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S PITCHMEN IS A GO
- Encore Presentation of PITCHMAN: A TRIBUTE TO BILLY MAYS to Air July 24 at 10PM ET/PT -
Discovery Channel’s PITCHMEN, the 12-part series that featured the late Billy Mays II and his business partner, Anthony ‘Sully’ Sullivan, will be back for a second season. Because of the success of the series first season, and as a tribute to Mays’ legacy, the show will continue. PITCHMEN, which is produced by Original Productions, a division of Freemantle Media, took viewers behind the curtain into the billion dollar infomercial industry, as Mays and Sullivan helped everyday men and women bring their inventions to the masses. Discovery Channel is developing the format of season two with Mays’ son, Billy Mays III, Anthony Sullivan and Thom Beers, CEO of Original Productions. More information will be announced as it becomes available. A premiere date for season two of PITCHMEN hasn’t yet been set.
PITCHMAN: A TRIBUTE TO BILLY MAYS, which first premiered on Discovery Channel on July 9, will re-air Friday, July 24 at 10PM ET/PT. The special pays tribute to the larger-than-life infomercial pioneer – the products he launched, the numerous inventors he helped, and how this family man from Pittsburgh became a household name, ultimately redefining television ad sales.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 98.1 million viewers in the US, can be seen in over 170 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISAD, DISBD, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, Investigation Discovery and HD Theater, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.
Original Productions
Founded by Thom Beers in 1997, Original Productions produces authentic non-fiction programming featuring everyday heroes in extraordinary situations, including mega-series Deadliest Catch and new hit phenomenon Pitchmen. Beers’ steadfast focus on top-notch storytelling with engaging personalities in high risk circumstances has produced more than 1,000 hours of original programming since the company’s inception. In February 2009, a majority stake in the company was purchased by FremantleMedia, one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company.
Your Savvy Shopper spent much of his 3rd of July moving each Pitchmen episode to its own page, with episodes listed and linked here. All twelve complete episodes of the Discovery Channel show starring the late, great Billy Mays and Anthony “Sully” Sullivan are available for on-demand viewing here on As Seen On TV Video. Enjoy.
According to tampbay.com, Billy Mays’ family and the marketers who used his services have mutually decided that his commercials, including some shot before his untimely death that have not yet run, will still appear on TV. The mutual decision of everyone involved is that it is what Billy would have wanted. Read the whole story here.
