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Author : Karal Ann Marling
Edition : 1
Number of Pages : 336
Publisher : Harvard University Press
List Price : $27.50
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Product Description From the paint-by-numbers fad, to the public fascination with Mamie Eisenhower's apparel, to the visual explosion that was Elvis Presley on stage, As Seen On TV explores what Americans saw and what they looked for during television's first golden era, the 1950s. Customer reviews Yawn...  by .. Terri (North Attleboro, MA United States)
I'm a Retro-chick through and through. This was the most boring book I've purchased on the subject. Very dry. Loads of information, but not a "fun" read.
Visual and narrative time capsule  by .. The Ginger Man ()
Brief, entertaining and containing some excellent period photos, this book is also literate and insightful. 1950's cultural and social history is examined through the prism of the exploding medium of television. The author describes how the increased free time available to American families resulting from improved productivity is employed. A major focus is on changing roles in the family. The term "togetherness" is coined for the family by McCalls magazine in 1954. Marling says, "It legitimated the new postwar suburban family - affluent, isolated, reared on a bland diet of TV and TV dinners - by stressing the compensatory benefits of a greater parental role in the household."
The post war era is also marked by mass consumption (three quarters of all appliances produced on earth are bought in the US), new icons ("Disney motifs constituted...a kind of civil religion of happy endings, worry free consumption, technological optomism and nostalgia") and conformity ("Now people no longer have any opinions; they have refrigerators") according to the author.
Above all is the author's thesis that no matter what changes, how things look count for a great deal.
As Seen on TV provides a unique perspective on the visual fifties. The reader can see the genesis of modern developments such as Disney's domination of family entertainment and New Age parenting. At the same time, largely forgotten figures such as Mamie Eisenhauer are dusted off and submitted for reconsideration. The author has strong opinions but is not overly forceful in their expression. The book becomes a guided tour with commentry rather than heated polemic and, as a result, is entertaining while illuminating.
"Life In The Age Of Television Was A Feast For The Eye..."  by .. Anthony G Pizza (FL)
Karal Ann Martling tucks her mission in writing "As Seen On TV" in that last sentence of the next-to-last chapter of her fascinating book. She tours the 1950s' TV-raised images, from First Lady Mamie Eisenhower's dress closet to her husband's paintings to garish car in the garage, ready-made food in the kitchen, and herky-jerky TV images pointing to changed American culture and aestetic. Hers is a more entertaining, breezier read than recent books from, respectively, David Halberstam on the 1950s or historian Michael Kammen on American preference.(Marling shared time at Cornell with Kammen, thanking his students in her acknowledgements for "challenging lunchtime conversation.") Marling merges era icons, fads, and seminal events more seamlessly into social statement than Halberstam did or Kammen attempted. Her understanding of cars evolving into social statements segues best into the image of Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll" for whom the "gorp"-covered Cadillac was chariot of choice. (she also credits Martin and Lewis with exposing the entertainment's dual sensibilities during early TV). Marling also writes of home convenience from new appliances and quick dinners colliding with the rustic, more honorable life many felt had been replaced. This clash inspired and popularized Grandma Moses' idealized portraits of American country life, Walt Disney's scale model re-creation of small-town America at Disneyland (and on the accompanying TV program), and Betty Crocker's shorthand version of motherly mentoring through General Mills' best-selling cookbook. Marling's chapter on Walt Disney's inspirations for creating the park is among the book's most fascinating. But a chapter on "American Bandstand," should Marling have chosen to include it, may have tied even more loose ends together. The book may also have done with some re-arrangement; the closing chapter accurately and humorously chronicles the 1959 Richard Nixon-Nikita Krushchev "kitchen debate." But its tale of form of function, argued by its most important leaders at the peak of Cold War hysteria, may have been more effective introducing Marling's tale. The book may then have received more social context by stating sooner Nixon's belief, according to Marling, in "style as a manifestation or a symbol of difference and, in difference, multiplicity - the possibility of choice - as...connecting idle consumer fetishism to ideology." This would also have more closely tied the 1950s' garish color imagery with its parallel, grainier black-and-white images (Nixon, the Cold War, and Joe McCarthy, a standout 50s figure seen on TV but not in this book.) Nonetheless, "As Seen On TV" is a fun, informative read for those wishing to understand the reasoning behind an era's unforgettable images.
Very interesting book with wonderful photographs  by .. ()
Very interesting reading. It is amazing to actually see how television has changed American life. I can't even fathom how life would be today, without TV. A great read for all who are interested in American pop culture in the 1950s.
Related Search : life 1950s , culture everyday , tv visual  |
Author : Lou Harry
Number of Pages : 144
Publisher : Quirk Books
List Price : $16.95
Amazon Price : $4.66
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Product Description Do you want thicker, fuller, more lustrous hair? A smaller waistline and a bigger bustline? How about sharper cutlery, six-pack abs, and thighs that can crack a walnut? If you've answered "yes" to these questions, you need As Seen on TV-a photographic history of 50 amazing products that are not available in any store. Here are the incredible true stories of Ginsu Knives, Chia Pets, the Veg-o-Matic, K-Tel Records, the ThighMaster, and dozens of other favorites. But that's not all! You'll also receive expert analysis of the products, interviews with celebrity pitchpeople, and more than 100 color photographs. Order now, and we'll even throw in a chapter on the George Foreman Grill-absolutely free! As Seen on TV is an inspiration to entrepreneurs of all ages, and a wacky trip down memory lane for couch potatoes everywhere. Call now-operators are standing by! Customer reviews TACKY AND HILARIOUS! by .. Tim Janson (Michigan)
"As Seen On TV" is a fond look back at those Kitschy products and their even tackier commercials for products as diverse as the Chia Pet to K-Tel records. These products would make household names out of people like Ron Poeil, Billy Mays, and Susan Powter as they pushed products to enhance yourself, your cooking, or your home. These 50 products, most of which are still on the market today and still being seen on TV were the forerunners of the dreaded infomercial which made their way into our homes back in the 1984 when the FCC loosened regulations on TV advertising. You'll chuckle as you read about these products, many of which you probably haven't thought about in years.
The book is arranged by product type including Kitchen Marvels, Fashion and Beauty Wonders, Fabulous Fitness, Entertainment Breakthroughs, Home Improvement Miracles, and Get Rich Quick. A history of each products is provided along with details about its use, inventor, and other interesting facts as well as photos. Ron Popeil is certainly the godfather of these products who got the ball rolling with the Veg-O-Matic, actually invented by his father. Popeil's list of products is long and often notorious and includes things such as GLH Formula #9 spray for balding men, as well as the Pocket Fisherman. The book includes a lengthy interview with Popeil as well.
Other items in the Kitchen gadget category include the legendary Ginsu knives...and who doesn't fondly remember those commercials where they sawed through knives and aluminum cans? Then there is a modern classic as former boxer turned pitchman, George foreman introduced the grill bearing his name.
There's the Blue Blocker glasses, Hairagami, Thigh Master, Matthew lesko's books on free Government money, Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, The Clapper, and Life Call Alert in which Edith Fore uttered those words that would become grafted into American lexicon, "I've Fallen...AND I CAN'T GET UP!!!" But perhaps my all-time favorite for pure cheesiness would be Mr. Microphone. Who can forget the goof in the convertible telling the girl walking on the street, "Hey Good Lookin', We'll be back to pick you up later!" It was the epitome of tackiness back then and would probably get him arrested today.
Oh...and the book is informative as well. I never knew that the K-Tel in K-Tel records stood for Kevis Television named after its founder Phillip Kevis. A true pop culture treasure trove!
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Hi, my name is __ and I am an Infomercial addict.... by .. RavenElaine (Ontario, Canada)
What a fun book! I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has ever gotten caught up watching infomercials or home shopping channels. It's fascinating to read about products that became hugely popular, even though in some cases, you look at them now and say "what were they thinking?".
It was especially fun for me because... as I turned each page, I had to wonder if the next product was one I've bought. LOL
Yes, I have succumbed to the "power of the pitch" and bought into the hype. And yes, I have purchased a few of the items in this book (George Foreman Grill, Steamer, etc... and I LIKE the Dr. Ho's Muscle Massage System!) but I'll never admit to how many.
Anyone who has heard "and that's not all" will enjoy the fact that a section with that title is included AFTER the index.
I only gave this book 4 stars because I wanted more products to be in it! It was so fun to read, I wanted more of it.
Did we really buy one of these? by .. Robin Benson ()
Did folks buy this stuff? They sure did, by the millions according to Harry and Stall. Some of these products would really be hard to parody, the Chai Ceramic Pet that grows vegetation, the Turbi Twist, a hair towel with an elastic loop (with the predictable AS SEEN ON TV on the box) the Copper Tongue Scraper, PROVEN EFFECTIVE was the bold statement on its packaging but it really does look just like a piece of bent metal! Each product has a spread with photos, copy and several colored panels (more on these later) containing background material and other trivia. I liked the Product panels best with their Description, Availability, Claimed Innovation, Upside and the Downside, just read the Downside to each product and really get the truth.
The six basic chapters are Kitchen Marvels, Fashion and Beauty, Fabulous Fitness, Entertainment Breakthroughs, Home Improvement Miracles, and finally Get Rich Quick, between these chapters are some interesting features, pages 122 and 123 cover the rise of the home shopping channels where you will be amazed to find that QVC have studio tours (yours for only [x ammount of dollars]). Ron Popiel, the founder of Ronco, has four pages explaining the background to the infomercial techniques he uses to shift the goods. Incidentally the Ronco story is covered in 'But, Wait! There's More!' by Timothy Samuelson, lots of product photos, vintage ads and packaging and a fairly accurate history of the Popiel family. Ever wonder what happened to yesterday's celebrities, check out pages 74 to 79 to see the Top 100 infomercial-land stars from Allen (Debbie) to Zappa (Dweezel) you'll be surprised who's listed, well, perhaps not. 'As Seen On TV' is a fascinating and fun book covering a subject that most of us would hardly think twice about. But, wait! There is more! DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL! Buy this book and get absolutely FREE hundreds of words that only come out in daylight! The book's designer (unfortunately) decided to use pink panels, on many of the product pages, with text in light blue. Big mistake, because it is very hard to read in a normal domestic lighting environment and the type used for the headlines on these panels is hard to read even in daylight!
Hey good lookin', we'll be back to pick ya up later! by .. (Indianapolis, IN)
If you recognize this catch phrase from the Mr. Microphone ad, you'll love this book. Indeed any child of the '70s or '80s can appreciate the nostalgia and humor of the infomercial era, which is vividly and humorously captured in "As Seen on TV". It's all here, from Abtronic to Zamfir, Master of the Pan Flute. If you have any doubt about whether your money would be well spent on this gem, then to paraphrase Ron Popeil: "Just forget it and GET IT!"
If you read this review in the next ten minutes... by .. Randy Arco (Atlanta, GA)
This book read itself! I bought this trip to entertain myself for a long drive home from Wisconsin to Florda. (Don't worry- I was the passanger, not the driver. Gusee I should've used the word 'ride' but I'm too lazy to backspace!) I think the ultimate compliment to a book is when your constantly interupting other people around you to read the next wonderful thing you've read. I lost my voice from this book. There's not too much to tell in this review. You've simply got to read it for yourself. It is so much more than just a list of goofy things sold via infomercials and TV ads. We get interviews, product history, trivia and much, much more. We also get the lowdown on what was legit and what wasn't. So the next time your using the flow-bee and screw up so badly your running to the store for some GLH (if you don't know what that sentence just meant, buy the book)... think of this book. It'll help ya. And if you're just looking for some easy entertaing reading... this is it folks!
Related Search : famous , tv 50 , as seen  |
Author : Lucy Grealy
Number of Pages : 186
Publisher : Bloomsbury USA
List Price : $14.95
Amazon Price : $7.68
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Product Description From the author of the unforgettable Autobiography of A Facecomes a collection of wonderfully unexpected essays on life, love, sex, God and politics. Whether she is contemplating promiscuity or The New Testament, lamenting about what she should have said to Oprah, or learning to tango, Grealy seduces and surprises the reader at every turn. With the sheer brilliance of her imagination, Grealy leads us on delightful journeys with her wit, unflinching honesty and peerless intelligence. As Seen On TV breaks the mould of the essay, and is destined, like the memoir that preceded it, to become a modern classic. Customer reviews A witty essay collection that came out well ahead of its time by .. Jessica Lux (Rosamond, CA)
My introduction to Lucy Grealy was through the eyes of her fellow writer and friend, Ann Patchett, in Truth and Beauty: A Friendship. Once I read Lucy's story through the eyes of her friend, I had to read her own memoir, Autobiography of a Face. Patchett's book focused almost entirely on Lucy's adult life and career, including the critical reaction to both of Lucy's books. Despite the smash success of Autobiography of a Face, Lucy's essay collection, As Seen on TV, languished. Lucy was adamant that Autobiography of a Face be appreciated for its quality of prose, not because Lucy's jaw cancer was a gruesome (and therefore intriguing) life story. When her second book failed to receive critical or public acclaim, Lucy was absolutely heartbroken.
Despite the fact that dozens of copies of Autobiography of a Face are available from my local library system, As Seen on TV was difficult to track down. I finally found a copy as (horrors!) a bargain remainder book. I had no idea what to expect.
Grealy's essay collection was, quite frankly, ahead of its time. This was before Laurio Notaro got The Idiot Girls' Action Adventure Club published and before the series of bestselling Idiot Girls' follow-on collections were released. The genre of self-deprecating, pseudo-intellectual, laugh-out-loud funny musings by women in their mid-20's and 30's hadn't yet been launched.
The book opens with a bang, a verbal onslaught about Lucy's experience on live TV. The chapter maniacally charges from contemplation on Lucy's own TV habits, to an anslysis of hot topics on daytime talk shows, to an examination of the limosuine as a status symbol from high school through real life, to the concept of "Dr. Evil," to life backstage. The chapter culminates with a surprising twist about the hidden agenda behind Lucy's TV appearance.
Other essays focus on topics like self-image and family history, as well as religious education and the struggles Lucy had publishing her first book. In one chapter, Lucy reveals that she was firmly convinced that the right boots could solve any problem, not matter how much one's life was falling apart. I think most women can identify with that. This is a great collection of funny insights and social commentary. I even forgive Grealy for getting a little manic during some of her ramblings. Enjoy this, especially if you have liked the other books by Patchett and Grealy.
It's always 5 stars for Grealy by .. E. Northrop (MI)
I am a big fan of Lucy Grealy's writing. If she had written the phone book, I would sit down and read it. Her writing is just some of the most intimate I've ever read. Every essay was like receiving a present and I'm sorry she is not around to gift us with any more.
Something for everyone by .. jmz (Fremont, ca United States)
As Seen on TV: Provocations is a really interesting and thought-provoking book of essays by Lucy Grealy. Ms. Grealy has a way with words and thoughts; so much so that she can take a simple thing (becoming friends with a dog, for example), and turning it into thoughts about life. I hesitate to say you'll "learn something" from her essays -- even though you will -- but it's more than just learning. Ms. Grealy makes you think. And her musings are so casually written, that you can help but read on and on and on. There were two essays that I just couldn't read. Way too serious for me. But even so, the rest of the book was full of interesting stories that I didn't feel let down that I didn't like two essays from the book. It just didn't matter. My favorite essay is the first one. She weaves her story in a rambling, friend talking to friend way, that when you get to the point of the essay, it really hits you. You don't expect the twist, and I really admire Ms. Grealy as a writer for being able to do that. Not everyone can lead up to something so momentous and not create a really strangely set-up scene. If you're looking for some quick reading, then I would suggest picking up this book. If you haven't read her autobiography yet, you'll really want to after reading As Seen on TV: Provocations.
Fantastic. by .. lady detective (east coat)
The essays in this book are warm, funny, true, and lovely. I've read many books of essay's where the authors' own interest in the subject(s) at hand, extends further than the readers attention is willing to give. This isn't the case with Grealy's book. I found her musings, and meanderings, engaging throughout. Her essays take on daytime talkshows, playing with pets, the nature of twins, lost brothers- and ultimately her own struggles to make some sort of sense, or nonsense of things. Her prose talks with you- not at you, and asks you, without any finger wagging, to join in the conversations she is having with the page. I loved it.
For Philosophers of the Felicific by .. David Kleist ()
Lucy Grealy is a woman saved by language. Her love of words and ideas infuse each of these engaging essays. Some are, indeed, more abstract than imagistic, and Grealy's greatest strength lies in her perceptions and explorations of the tangible world. However, each essay is thoughtful, intelligent, and, as suggested by the subtitle, PROVOKING of reflection. An interesting comparison is to the essays of Marilynne Robinson, another poet of the concrete: Robinson often loses touch with the tangible in her philosophical meanderings, but Grealy almost always keeps the reader hooked into an image. Grealy's persona is lovable, loving, and downright fun. I look forward to more of her literary explorations.
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Format : Unabridged
Author : Kevin Trudeau
Edition : 1st
Publisher : Nightingale Conant
Amazon Price : $18.00
Used Price : $1.36 |
Product Description The best-selling memory enhancement system that has already helped millions around the world on Audio Tapes & Book format. Using breakthroughs in memory training, Kevin Trudeau, founder of the American Memory Institute, has developed a complete step-by-step program to gain access to all the hard-to-reach information in your mind. Already practiced by millions around the world, his Mega Memory techniques show how to organize information in the mind for instant recall- thereby enabling listeners to perform more efficiently and more profitably in everything they do.
Let this step by step, easy to learn Memory program provide you with techniques that will rapidly become part of your new way of thinking and greatly improve your life.
The Mega Memory System includes: 8 x Audio Tapes, 72 Page Work Book, Pocket Guide, an extra tape called "How To Remember Everything In Your Past" and a large clamshell case Folder to hold everything in.
The tapes are the centerpiece of the course. Dedication and attention to the lessons taught on them will enhance your memory more fully than you ever thought possible. They will teach you techniques involved in remembering hundreds of names,complex directions,facts from everything you read or hear,speeches and presentations, and much more. The workbook offers exercises to help illustrate lessons presented on the tapes. The pocket guide is a collection of names and memory-enhancing mental pictures representing them. It is to be used not only to learn specific pictures for specific names, but also as a springboard from which you can create mental pictures for any word. Mega Memory is the most complete course on long term memory expansion ever made available to the public. Your mega memory can begin today, right now. Related Search : mega memory , as seen , tv  |
Author : Elayne Rapping
Number of Pages : 288
Release Date : 2003-11-01
Publisher : NYU Press
List Price : $21.00
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Product Description Law and Justice as Seen on TV examines the impact, significance, and social and political problems raised by the enormous onslaught of law-related television programming, both fiction and nonfiction, in the years since the rise of live televised trials as major media events. The book weaves together the various strands—media history and analysis, legal history and policy, and the national turn to the political right in the last decades—which gave birth to this trend and has kept it thriving and growing, by leaps and bounds, to the present day. Beginning with the history of courtroom drama on TV and its various contradictions and shifts, since the late 1940s to the present, the book analyzes the various entertainment series and genres that have so proliferated in recent years, giving special attention to such popular and influential series as "Law and Order" and "Cops." The second section begins by charting the complex and contested history of the coming of cameras to the courtroom and the way in which that legal decision led to televised trials and to the rise of Court TV. It examines as especially interesting and important the major trials—such as those of the Menendez brothers, O.J. Simpson, and Timothy McVeigh—which helped to shape the way television came to frame trials and their social implications for public consumption. From there it examines major social issues—gender violence, youth crime, family dysfunction, victims' rights which, with the rise of the courtroom as a major political and television arena, have come to be viewed largely as legal issues to be discussed and determined in legal terms by Americans in general. Accessible and lucid, Law and Justice as Seen on TV concludes with an examination of the broad implications of this social and cultural trend, closing with some thoughts about its expansion, on television and in the actual legal arena, during the "war on terrorism" in the wake of 9/11. Customer reviews Timely and perceptive look at TV's links to law by .. ()
I found this book to be extrmely informative and insightful about the way that today's TV shows focusing on the legal system run surprisingly parallel to the actual ways in which our criminal justice sytem has shifted from a liberal concern for civil liberties and defendants rights to an increasingly punitive focus on punishment and the presumption of guilt. Rapping has a really clear and readable writing style unusual for academics. I would recommend this anyone interested media and/or criminal and legal issues
Related Search : as seen , law justice , tv
Author : dr myles h bader
Number of Pages : 531
Publisher : allstar marketing group cole media group
Used Price : $10.00 |
Related Search : grandpa s , 5001 handyman , secrets as  |
Author : Kurt Busiek
Publisher : Image comics
Amazon Price : $3.00
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Related Search : superstar as , seen tv
Format : HTML
Author : Carmel Sileo
Number of Pages : 4
Release Date : 2005-07-31
Publisher : Association of Trial Lawyers of America
List Price : $5.95
Amazon Price : $5.95
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Product Description This digital document is an article from Trial, published by Association of Trial Lawyers of America on June 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1159 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation DetailsTitle: Law and Justice as Seen on TV.(Book Review) Author: Carmel Sileo Publication: Trial (Magazine/Journal) Date: June 1, 2004 Publisher: Association of Trial Lawyers of America Volume: 40 Issue: 6 Page: 64(2) Article Type: Book Review Distributed by Thomson Gale Related Search : as seen , review article , from trial
Author : D. C. Denison
Number of Pages : 239
Publisher : Simon & Schuster (Paper)
List Price : $14.00
Amazon Price : $1.30
Used Price : $0.01 |
Related Search : works from , eng mtv , television industry
Format : HTML
Author : David K. Choo
Number of Pages : 3
Release Date : 2005-07-31
Publisher : Hawaii Business Publishing Co.
Company : The Gale Group
List Price : $5.95
Amazon Price : $5.95
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Product Description This digital document is an article from Hawaii Business, published by Hawaii Business Publishing Co. on June 1, 2003. The length of the article is 627 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation DetailsTitle: As seen on TV: easy to access and navigate, Promo! Puts a new spin on the infomercial. (Company).(On-demand infomercials) Author: David K. Choo Publication: Hawaii Business (Magazine/Journal) Date: June 1, 2003 Publisher: Hawaii Business Publishing Co. Volume: 48 Issue: 12 Page: 46(2) Distributed by Thomson Gale Related Search : as seen , tv easy , infomercial company |
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