Billy Mays dead at 50

[cutter]

Billy Mays made watching informercials not just bearable, but FUN! I loved how he was so loud and enthusiastic when advertising whatever random product because he could make some unknown product that looked like crap actually look like the best thing ever made.

 

[M@v]

Do you know what this means? Now we're stuck with the ****ing ShamWow guy.

This is not acceptable.

Whats going to happen to pitchmen on discovery now

 

[Spire]

I really don't get why people are freaking out quite this much. I mean, yes, death sucks, but people die every day. These people just happened to be on TV. I guarantee someone has died in the time it has taken me to write this post, but no one's going to bat an eyelash over that.

2009 is not the first year in which celebrities have died. Let's not get nutty, people.

Well duh. But, there's a difference between celebrities and celebrities that are genuinely liked. Billy Mays was one of the latter, because of his distinct personality, performance, and field of choice. He started out doing low-budget commercials (I remember seeing the very first ones way back when) that seemed like "just another tv sales pitch", but HE raised the money. Other companies realized this and bumped him to pitchman stardom. How many other cleaning supply-salesmen (besides that Jersey goblin) have been in the business for so long and garnered such a large following?

Musicians die all the time too, but when the absolute biggest one in the world croaks, it hits hard. Mays was the most instrumental figure in his field, and I respect him for that. I do not however, respect the 10+ others who have died in the time it took me to type this, because I never knew them.

 

[Darkslash]

Dear diary,

It has begun. To the rest of the world, these seemingly unrelated deaths are mere coincidence; a string of events that are saddening, but nonetheless unrelated. Little do these fools know that God is looking down on them; judging them. The filth that is Hollywood needs to be cleansed, and I have been chosen to partake in this task. I will create a world, free of plasticity and product pushing. "The Stain Specialist?" You are the stain upon this world, Mays. I will become the messenger of the heavens. I will create a Utopia. I will transcend God. I am Vince Shlomi, and with me we will slap your troubles away.

 

[OutlawStar]

People don't care for people that have died that they didn't knew...Same for people that were born, if you just had a kid, you probably wouldn't care much for a kid who was born in Jamaica somewhere. It isn't that illogical, these are people you knew-from television. You should mourn for anyone you have met, it doesn't necessarily make you a bad person for not noticing other people(Even though you should If that makes any sense...)

 

[Circus]

Musicians die all the time too, but when the absolute biggest one in the world croaks, it hits hard. Mays was the most instrumental figure in his field, and I respect him for that. I do not however, respect the 10+ others who have died in the time it took me to type this, because I never knew them.

That's exactly my point. The world only makes a deal out of death when it happens to someone lots of people know about. But that doesn't actually make them more deserving of our attention than anyone else. You didn't know Billy Mays, you just knew of him. He was a name and a face that a lot of people were familiar with, so his death was announced instead of just ignored. But he wasn't necessarily a better person than the people who have died and been forgotten.

Even though I do understand why more people care about someone like Billy Mays or Michael Jackson dying than just some stranger they don't know, part of me still finds it kind of disturbing that we basically rank people according to star power.

@Darkslash: I would +rep you if I could. That was great.

 

[smashbot226]

WH-What? No, this is like when 2Pac died. Billy Mays can't be dead...

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

 

[Darkslash]

 

[Spire]

That's exactly my point. The world only makes a deal out of death when it happens to someone lots of people know about. But that doesn't actually make them more deserving of our attention than anyone else. You didn't know Billy Mays, you just knew of him. He was a name and a face that a lot of people were familiar with, so his death was announced instead of just ignored. But he wasn't necessarily a better person than the people who have died and been forgotten.

Even though I do understand why more people care about someone like Billy Mays or Michael Jackson dying than just some stranger they don't know, part of me still finds it kind of disturbing that we basically rank people according to star power.

No, I genuinely respect Billy Mays' work. I see it as a form of performance art, and while I've never purchased any of his products, I found his character to be interesting nonetheless - one that I would have liked to see develop more. His television personality was growing as a persona that I feel can be used inspirationally to fuel that of other works - not just product sales. Hell, I wanted to do a painting of him a couple months ago, to try and fully embody his character in the strokes, color, and form of the paint, but of course, never got around to it. Maybe now is an indicator that I should - since he will no longer change as a person, but remain entombed as that bearded, blue button-up, loud-mouthed cleaning supply salesman forever - make this painting.

Back to the subject of death, I would not prefer the other anonymous people to die over Mays at all, as that's: a) not in my power, and b) nothing I would wish upon anyone, but I was simply never given the chance to develop a respect for the others who did. Mays is not just some joke TV guy to me, I really enjoyed his performance. If I would have been given the chance to meet him, I surely would have taken it, but not for bragging rights, but to really talk with the guy.

And only Mario is ranked according to star power

 

[TheSundanceKid]

Dammit, Slash XD! We just drew that <.<

 

[Toya]

I have the utmost respect for Mr.Mays. He was the greatest of his field and always could put a smile on my face.

RIP-Billy Mays

 

[Anth0ny]

Worst week ever?

 

[Scott!]

Poor Billy. I was just starting to like him too. I used to hate him cause he was so loud and was a joke. But eventually, after so many jokes, I realized that I'd come to like him. Plus, Pitchmen is a good show. At least we've got some of that to remember poor Billy by.

 

[Tom]

next thing you know, it's going to be Will Smith and Michael Jordan or something

You shut your mouth. *knocks on wood*

The world only makes a deal out of death when it happens to someone lots of people know about.

deerrrppppp. The world = lots of people. "Lots of people only make a big deal about death when it happens to someone lots of people know about." Um, of course? The more people that knew you were living, the more people are going to acknowledge the loss when you die.


RIP Billy Mays.

 

[zrky]

Worst week ever?

The day Paul McCarteny dies will be the worst week ever, and then Johnny Depp will probably have a hear attack at age 51. And when you least expect it the Sunday of that week, Adam Savage gets his head blown off while testing an urban myth (the episode never airs). Oh and John Travolta crashes one of his plains.

THAT would probably one of the worst weeks ever.

 

[Patinator]

He's more than just a spokesman. Billy Mays is THE pioneer of direct-response advertising. Billy Mays has changed many peoples' lives just by pitching for their product, turning them from in-the-hole inventors to millionaires; from rags to riches. Billy Mays is more than a loud-mouthed, bearded man who yells at cameras to make money... He is the original Pitchman.

I respect him, his trade, and his mastery of it.

You know something's wrong with the world when I talk like THAT.

Anyway, I still don't think it's sunk in that Billy Mays is deceased for me. Even after three Twinkies. ;_;

 

[slave1]

how is pitchmen going to go on on discovery channel...

sad sad sad day. i like him more than jackson even though he thought he was the ****

 

[StinkomanFan]

sad sad sad day. i like him more than jackson even though he thought he was the ****

He wasn't even 5 minutes into his 15 minutes of fame

 

[Tacel]

R.I.P. Billy Mays.
We'll always love you, man.

 

[Tacel]

Shigeru Miyamoto...

DX

Please, don't leave us yet.

I'm going to have nightmares tonight...

EDIT: Oops, double post. Sorry, I thought someone posted after me... wrong page.

 

[Grandeza]

This is such terrible news. He's making Oxy clean commercials in a better place now. I honestly think I may be sadder about his death than Michael Jackson's. This is quite tragic.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE(is it too early for jokes?)

This week has been a bad one for entertainment. Just yesterday I was joking with my friends about how great Billy Mays was with his incredible enthusiasm. With him gone, infomercials will be so lacking.

 

[GoldShadow]

This sucks. Billy Mays was awesome.

 

[StinkomanFan]

Yesterday I was trying to get my father to buy one of his products.....

 

[Mr.Victory07]

Such an odd week for celebrity deaths 0_o

RIP Billy Mays, WHO WILL SELL ME CLEANING PRODUCTS ON TV NOW???? Def. not Mr. Shamwow

 

[Moon of the Strawberries]

Seriously thought it was a joke, and I still won't believe that he's gone. No matter how many jokes I made of him, I always thought he was completely awesome.

R.I.P Billy, i'll miss your awesome infomercials

 

[M@v]

They showed Billy's commercial for that magic puddy stuff on today; it was creepy watching it knowing he was dead

 

[TheKiest]

Rorschach Journal, June 27th... 2009

Theory of Celebrities being knocked off becoming likely. Too suspicious. Must warn others. Hope they listen, unlike Mays. Who could know our connection? Something off.

RIP Mays.

 

[.Marik]

His informercials were always mildly entertaining, his vibrant personality made it interesting to watch.

But even OxiClean can't make this stain go away. :\

 

[The 5th Horseman]

I thought it was a joke as well when I 1st heard about it.... I really liked his show too.

R.I.P Billy Mays

You were and still are the commercial king!

 

[Darkslash]

Guys, I think Vavle knew what was going to happen on June 28th 2009.

Watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7QIcxoJU4g
Then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHgEnN2PFzo&feature=related

Now watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eaE-_GDbmQ

My God, coincidence or not, it was creepy.

 

[Martel Hammer]

Last week has to be the most celebrity deaths in a while. So many names, gone...
R.I.P. Billy. The King of Commercials (not that Shamwow guy).

 

[MRTW113]

Guys, I think Vavle knew what was going to happen on June 28th 2009.

Watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7QIcxoJU4g
Then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHgEnN2PFzo&feature=related

Now watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eaE-_GDbmQ

My God, coincidence or not, it was creepy.

Wow, suddenly I see tons of tf2 reference here on the forums.

Yeah, heard the news about Billy Mays, and was like "youre kidding, right?"

 

[Fire!]

It was a very sad week. I don't think I've ever seen him frown.

I'll miss you Billy Mays.

 

[kirbywizard]

I really do not see this week any more sad then the rest. Just some oldy placed deaths. I will miss Billy and his just awsome comercials.

But if heaven exist he will be selling his new angel proof cleaning products in a better place.

 

[StinkomanFan]

I saw the last episode of pitchmen last night. I cried at the ending memorial.

 

[zrky]

I saw the last episode of pitchmen last night. I cried at the ending memorial.

Same, it was really sad.
But at least he one the first annual pitch-off

 

[Shy Guy 86]

I have to say that he was pretty **** funny in the youtube poops, but I still respect him. I know I'm a bit late for this.

RIP.