Billy Mays: Always Screaming and Making Us Turn Down the Volume

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cyrus
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the annoyance caused by infomercials featuring Billy Mays, particularly his loud and aggressive selling style. Participants express frustration over his commercials interrupting their viewing experience, with many suggesting that viewers should avoid watching TV or use recording devices to skip commercials. Some highlight the disparity in volume between programs and commercials, noting that while commercials are not technically louder, they lack the dynamic range of regular programming, making them feel more jarring. There are mixed feelings about Mays himself; while some find him irritating and even liken him to brainwashing, others appreciate his energy and humor. The conversation also touches on alternatives to traditional TV viewing, such as streaming services and recording devices, as well as the broader implications of advertising on television. Overall, the thread reflects a shared annoyance with loud commercials, particularly those featuring Mays, and a desire for more enjoyable viewing experiences.
Cyrus
Messages
3,237
Reaction score
17
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
orange glo
 
Um, don't watch TV. :rolleyes:

Or avoid indulging in Infomercials. :rolleyes:
 
Astronuc said:
Um, don't watch TV. :rolleyes:

Or avoid indulging in Infomercials. :rolleyes:

I don't watch tv. But I found this channel called "Ovation" that has art and music on it, and its done quite well. But I watch about an hour of tv after around 2 am or so. Its always a commerical with this clown.

MUST HE ALWAYS YELL!?
 
Like Astro suggests, don't watch TV if you don't like the irritating crap that finances it. Commercials are 'way loud and the infomercials are worse. Pay for the entertainment that you enjoy. I have a carousel CD player with 400 CDs in it (many of which are duplicates of albums that I have bought, some several times as I wore them out). That player does not hold all my music collection (not by a long shot!), but I can set that sucker to "random", "all disks" and have non-stop, commercial free music (all stuff that I WANT to hear) all day long. I watch the local and national news on TV, and perhaps the news on PBS, then the idiot box goes dark until the next day.
 
turbo-1 said:
Like Astro suggests, don't watch TV if you don't like the irritating crap that finances it. Commercials are 'way loud and the infomercials are worse. Pay for the entertainment that you enjoy. I have a carousel CD player with 400 CDs in it (many of which are duplicates of albums that I have bought, some several times as I wore them out). That player does not hold all my music collection (not by a long shot!), but I can set that sucker to "random", "all disks" and have non-stop, commercial free music (all stuff that I WANT to hear) all day long. I watch the local and national news on TV, and perhaps the news on PBS, then the idiot box goes dark until the next day.

Its not a station that plays music. Fox example, yesterday I was watching a program about a girl who is a professional classical violinist. She was explaining how she has to adjust her finger spacing when playing certain songs because of how the piece was originally written for a man who had longer fingers than her, etc. Her name is Hilary Hahn.

The other movie I watched on that station was Pollock, which was quite good. But every time it was commercial time, OXYCLEAN OXYCLEAN!

And I hate how he calls people FOLKS. HEY FOLKS, FOLKS FOLKS FOLKS. Who calls each other folks? I hate it.
 
I didn't suggest that the TV station was a music station. If you don't like to pay (through subscription or watching ads) for your media, don't watch it. Advertisers are paying to have your eyes on the the shows that they sponser.
 
turbo-1 said:
I didn't suggest that the TV station was a music station. If you don't like to pay (through subscription or watching ads) for your media, don't watch it. Advertisers are paying to have your eyes on the the shows that they sponser.

I pay for cable tv. I like the programs. I am complaining about the commercial. I didnt say I don't like paying for it. And I am not complaining about all commericals, but this guy in particular.


Here is a clip.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Cyrus said:
I pay for cable tv. I like the programs. I am complaining about the commercial. I didnt say I don't like paying for it. And I am not complaining about all commericals, but this guy in particular.


Here is a clip.
Cy, you're no dummy, by a long shot. You know that your basic cable package has a lot of low-cost channels that are subsidized by commercials and infomercials. You have to decide how much crap you are willing to absorb (or ignore) to watch the programming you want. Crabbing about it won't help.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
turbo-1 said:
Cy, you're no dummy, by a long shot. You know that your basic cable package has a lot of low-cost channels that are subsidized by commercials and infomercials. You have to decide how much crap you are willing to absorb (or ignore) to watch the programming you want. Crabbing about it won't help.

Yeah but come on, OXYCLEAN!

Ahhh, I really really hate that guy :cry:

You're listening to some lovely bach, and then it goes to commercial and you hear that!

How do people not complain about these types of commercials?
 
  • #11
I watch cable tv, but I always record the shows on the dvr box and watch them later so that I can zap the commercials. Commercials are annoying.
 
  • #12
have pity on the poor guy---his entire family is hard of hearing
 
  • #13
This guy really is annoying...I can't believe how many people listen to him, and actually buy his products. It's almost like he is brainwashing them...:eek:
 
  • #14
what are you talking about Cyrus! that guys is the greatest! he always livens my day AND my bathroom.

does he have a fan club? I want to join the that guy fan club!
 
  • #15
mcknia07 said:
This guy really is annoying...I can't believe how many people listen to him, and actually buy his products. It's almost like he is brainwashing them...:eek:

I think a lot of people grew up in families where the parents yelled at the kids to 'clean up your room!', 'pick up that dirty laundry!'-----he's taking over and saying 'BUY THIS STUFF!''---(and people listen and do as he says)





(it works for picking up some women at the bars too:smile:)
 
  • #16
moe darklight said:
what are you talking about Cyrus! that guys is the greatest! he always livens my day AND my bathroom.

does he have a fan club? I want to join the that guy fan club!

Do me a favor, hold his hand while he jumps infront of a bus will ya?
 
  • #17
(he does make his share of money though)
 
  • #18
They just need to regulate the volume, they shouldn't allow a commercial to be twice as loud as the program its embedded in.
 
  • #19
"apply To The Forehead"
 
  • #20
K.J.Healey said:
They just need to regulate the volume, they shouldn't allow a commercial to be twice as loud as the program its embedded in.
Technically they don't increase the volume. The commercial is not allowed to be any louder than the loudest part of the program you are watching but whereas the program varies the volume to add nuance the commercial doesn't and so although the peak is no louder the average volume is.
 
  • #21
Cyrus said:
Do me a favor, hold his hand while he jumps infront of a bus will ya?

but then who will clean up the mess? :biggrin:
 
  • #22
Billy Mays and the HeadOn commercials are pretty much tied for most annoying things to ever appear on a television screen. But as everyone here has a computer why don't you guys just torrent your favorite shows like 'some people' do? (sssshhhhhhh... don't tell metalica!)
 
  • #23


You've got to be kidding me.......
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #24
I know I had the same reaction the first time I saw it!
 
  • #25
It amazes me how few people have television recording/pausing devices such as Tivo. For anyone with disposible income who watches television, the time saved by not watching commercials would, when viewed as money through a time = money equation, undoubtably equal if not surpass the cost of the technology.

Unfortunately, getting accustomed to Tivo makes you hate commercials even more.
 
  • #26
I don't need TiVo, I know how to use the remote to change channels when I don't like what's on, or use the commercial breaks to do productive things, like post on PF. :biggrin: I had to read half the thread before I figured out who the guy in the picture in the first post is (based on Cyrus' wonderful praise of his infomercials, I sure wasn't going to torture myself watching the linked youtube video of it...Cyrus is just trying to torture us all because he couldn't push the mute button).
 
  • #27
Cyrus said:
And I hate how he calls people FOLKS. HEY FOLKS, FOLKS FOLKS FOLKS. Who calls each other folks? I hate it.

McCain does that. It's that or he calls everyone 'my friends'.
 
Last edited:
  • #28
From Extreme Home Makeover,
my vote for runner-up,
I present TO YOU,
Ty Pennington.

http://beat.bodoglife.com/wp-content/uploads/ty-pennington.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #29
Phrak said:
From Extreme Home Makeover,
my vote for runner-up,
I present TO YOU,
Ty Pennington.

http://beat.bodoglife.com/wp-content/uploads/ty-pennington.jpg
[/URL]

Thank god I don't watch tv!

I did just watch Miami Vice again...:rolleyes:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #30
Cyrus said:
Do me a favor, hold his hand while he jumps infront of a bus will ya?

Come ON, Cyrus. You have NO real appreciation of artistic talent. At least that's what I told myself the last time Billy Mays woke me out of a peaceful sleep requiring I shot another TV out of my misery. The man is at the pinnacle of talent within his genre.

We're all sort of analytical people here, so here's a challenge.

1) What is it in his voice that demands attention?

2) What are the two (related) grammatical props he uses to keep you hooked for the next words?
 
Last edited:
  • #31
Whenever Billy Mays pops up, I turn the channel.

I love commercials like these. Wish the US had more like them...

 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #32
It is fitting and proper at this time to pay our heat-felt respects to the undisptuted Pioneer in this Highly Esteemed field. The Late and the Great,

The Man America Loved to Hate

http://www.jamescampion.com/cosell.jpg

Howard Cosell !​
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #35
Cyrus said:
I pay for cable tv. I like the programs. I am complaining about the commercial. I didnt say I don't like paying for it. And I am not complaining about all commericals, but this guy in particular.


Here is a clip.


You pay for cable TV?

It's not even worth it. For basic cable here, it's like $30 a month. There are many better things to do with that $30.

Plus, TV comes with internet. Lots of channels host everything online now. For example, if I want to relax and watch a TV show like "Degrassi High", or watch a show from Discovery Channel or watch TSN (sports), it's all online.

My brother too. He ended up picking up a nice antenna someone was giving away, and he gets close to 30 channels which is what basic cable charges!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #36
We don't have cable out here in the boonies, but even if it was available, I wouldn't get it. We can get local and national news with our antenna, and that's about the only thing I watch on TV. TV is a spectacular waste of time - about the only time I turn it on aside from the news is to watch a movie on DVD.
 
  • #37
turbo-1 said:
We don't have cable out here in the boonies, but even if it was available, I wouldn't get it. We can get local and national news with our antenna, and that's about the only thing I watch on TV. TV is a spectacular waste of time - about the only time I turn it on aside from the news is to watch a movie on DVD.

I agree. The only time I really watch TV is when I'm eating breakfast to watch sports news. I watch sports at bars with friends and such. Plus, movies like you said. I don't even have a remote for my TV!

I didn't even bring a TV to Quebec with me.

Then again, computers are just as bad as TV's though.
 
  • #38
JasonRox said:
You pay for cable TV?

It's not even worth it. For basic cable here, it's like $30 a month. There are many better things to do with that $30.

Plus, TV comes with internet. Lots of channels host everything online now. For example, if I want to relax and watch a TV show like "Degrassi High", or watch a show from Discovery Channel or watch TSN (sports), it's all online.

My brother too. He ended up picking up a nice antenna someone was giving away, and he gets close to 30 channels which is what basic cable charges!

Everyone pays for cable tv.
 
  • #39
JasonRox said:
I agree. The only time I really watch TV is when I'm eating breakfast to watch sports news. I watch sports at bars with friends and such. Plus, movies like you said. I don't even have a remote for my TV!

I didn't even bring a TV to Quebec with me.

Then again, computers are just as bad as TV's though.

I'd get one station, fuzzy, if I didn't have cable. I used to just have antennas, but where I live now, it's not an option. The mountains interfere with the signals too much. Besides, I can't get cable internet without getting the basic cable TV package (again, not a choice, they don't offer just internet, it's either internet plus basic cable or neither). I can't work with just dial-up from home, and apparently I live too far out in nowhere to get DSL.
 
  • #40
Cyrus said:
I hope a bus hits you crossing the street tomorrow, driven by Billy Mays because he was fired from his tv spot and couldn't find a job anywhere else.

No need to get your boxers in a bunch. I knew that website hosted a lousy fanclub, all along. We need our own.

I nominate Cyrus, the guy with the altimeter, to be Official President of the PF Billy Mays Fan Club.

Cyrus for President
 
  • #41
That's not an altimeter. That is a turn coordinator that helps him avoid flying his rented Skyhawk upside-down.
 
  • #42
AHH NOW HE JUST CAME ON SELLING SOMETHING TO Fix CAR SCRATCHES!

I hope that car runs over his head!
 
  • #43
Use your turn coordinator to line up and smack'em with your rented skyhawk!
 
  • #44
dude, this guy is hilarious! just look at kaboom cleans ring around the toilet!
 
  • #45
Ha. Funny this is, I knew who Cyrus was talking about before I even read the thread. He's just like most people on television, acting out to get attention. Makes me glad I don't own a tv.
 
  • #46
Looks like the commercials are working.



Jordan Joab
 
  • #47
Cyrus said:
AHH NOW HE JUST CAME ON SELLING SOMETHING TO Fix CAR SCRATCHES!

I hope that car runs over his head!

I guess I shouldn't tell you that he's now selling health insurance?:rolleyes:


Those hand motions have to be the most universal known to man.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #48
HEY! I'm Barry Scott

barry-scott.jpg


​
 
  • #50
B. Elliott said:
I guess I shouldn't tell you that he's now selling health insurance?:rolleyes:


Those hand motions have to be the most universal known to man.


Yes, I've seen those too!

Whats the deal with his constant hand motions and pointing.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Something disturbing happened to me
Replies
14
Views
5K
Do Movies Teach Us Realistic Life Skills?
Replies
1
Views
10K
Exhaust and engine accoustics for asthetics and performance
Replies
2
Views
7K
News What is the impact of Russia and China's growing influence in Latin America?
Replies
2
Views
5K
Is Super Mario Galaxy Physics Possible in Real Life?
Replies
4
Views
5K
News Obama Inaugural Address: Summary & Analysis
Replies
33
Views
6K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 257)
Replies
5
Views
4K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 244)
Replies
1
Views
3K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 242)
Replies
1
Views
3K
Mathematica This Week's Finds in Mathematical Physics (Week 266)
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top