PitchMen (found Discovery Channel docudrama series; 2009-2011): Difference between revisions
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[[Has brief:: '''''PitchMen''''' is a docudrama TV series that aired on Discovery Channel and was produced by Original Productions.]] The series was a behind-the-scenes peek at the legendary pitchmen [[Billy Mays (partially found rare commercials/infomercials starring pitchman; 1980s-2009)|Billy Mays]] & Anthony "Sully" Sullivan's lives in the competitive direct-response marketing business. | [[Has brief:: '''''PitchMen''''' is a docudrama TV series that aired on the Discovery Channel and was produced by Original Productions.]] The series was a behind-the-scenes peek at the legendary pitchmen [[Billy Mays (partially found rare commercials/infomercials starring pitchman; 1980s-2009)|Billy Mays]] & Anthony "Sully" Sullivan's lives in the competitive direct-response marketing business. | ||
==Premise== | ==Premise== | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The show was announced on January 9th, 2009 under the | The show was officially announced by Discovery on January 9th, 2009, under the name ''"But Wait... There's More"'' (with 13 episodes, as opposed to the 12 episodes eventually released).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090204142758/http://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-news/all-new-discovery-series-celebrates-ingenuity-inve/ Discovery's announcement of the show.] Archived 04 Feb '19</ref> Interestingly, reports of Mays and Sullivan signing a production deal for the show's pilot came around as early as June 2008, with a name more close to the final one, ''"Pitch Men"''.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080606181626/http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/article609728.ece St. Petersburg Times article on the production deal.] Archived 06 Jun '08</ref> It's uncertain whether the pilot was simply the first episode, ''"High Impact Item"'', or a completely different, unaired episode. Possible proof of a different pilot episode comes from what Mays says in said article: | ||
<blockquote>"It's really sort of my life story, so it will be old school, starting at selling housewares on the Boardwalk,"</blockquote> | |||
...which doesn't match with ''"High Impact Item"'' (although Mays does recall his life story later in ''"Revenge of the Pitchmen"'', but only for a minute or so). | |||
In an unexpected change of events, Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa home on June 28th, 2009 (3 days before the final episode aired).<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/5681144/Billy-Mays-dies-after-banging-head-on-aeroplane.html Telegraph article on Mays' death.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> In response to this, Discovery changed their screen bug to feature Mays, aired a marathon of all the episodes and released a tribute named ''Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays'' (which can be easily found online). Following Mays' death, it seemed obvious that the show would not be renewed for a second season, but Discovery contradicted that in a July 2009 press-release.<ref>[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20090714discovery01 The Futon Critic's article on the second season's announcement.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> As a result of the lack of Mays, Sullivan became the sole star of the second season, with | The first episode, ''"High Impact Item"'', aired on April 15th, 2009, and was met with generally positive reviews. In an unexpected change of events, Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa home on June 28th, 2009 (3 days before the final episode aired).<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/5681144/Billy-Mays-dies-after-banging-head-on-aeroplane.html Telegraph article on Mays' death.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> In response to this, Discovery changed their screen bug to feature Mays, aired a marathon of all the episodes, and released a tribute named ''"Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays"'' (which can be easily found online). Following Mays' death, it seemed obvious that the show would not be renewed for a second season, but Discovery contradicted that in a July 2009 press-release.<ref>[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20090714discovery01 The Futon Critic's article on the second season's announcement.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> As a result of the lack of Mays, Sullivan became the sole star of the second season, with an occasional appearance of Mays' son, Billy Mays III. | ||
Despite Sullivan's effort into salvaging the show, the viewership of the season two premiere was too low and Discovery pulled the plug after just two episodes.<ref>[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/09/02/discovery-tables-pitchmen-animal-planet-moves-up-whale-wars-special-37267/8863/ The Futon Critic article about the second season getting pulled.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> Eventually, Discovery put the show back on January 2011 to air the remaining episodes, although the show was put on a filler slot and got barely any promotion (so much so that most people still recall Discovery never airing the last episodes).<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Lost_Films/comments/70cnwj/lost_several_billy_mays_commercials_have_just/ A /r/Lost_Films posts about lost Billy Mays infomercials, that erroneously states that the last ''PitchMen'' episodes never aired.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> | Despite Sullivan's effort into salvaging the show, the viewership of the season two premiere was too low, and Discovery pulled the plug after just two episodes.<ref>[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/09/02/discovery-tables-pitchmen-animal-planet-moves-up-whale-wars-special-37267/8863/ The Futon Critic article about the second season getting pulled.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> Eventually, Discovery put the show back on January 2011 to air the remaining episodes, although the show was put on a filler slot and got barely any promotion (so much so, that most people still recall Discovery never airing the last episodes).<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Lost_Films/comments/70cnwj/lost_several_billy_mays_commercials_have_just/ A /r/Lost_Films posts about lost Billy Mays infomercials, that erroneously states that the last ''PitchMen'' episodes never aired.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
Despite being fairly popular back when it aired, it has become difficult to find full episodes of the show. It seems like the show was at one point found on several streaming services, but has since become unavailable on all of them.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Pitchmen-Season-1/dp/B0172XWGTA The first season's Amazon Prime Video page.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref><ref>[https://www.directv.com/tv/Pitchmen-blVKV3FKZStzTjg9/From-the-Jaws-of-Victory-N1B0QmpPNko3KzNjWFdjcXF3SmFZdz09 Broken DirecTV page on one of the first season's episodes.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref><ref>[https://play.google.com/store/tv/show?id=3290F845EC5BDE30SH&cdid=tvseason-9D3F059A1DB28606SE Google Play TV's page on the first season.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> Four full episodes can be found on YouTube (albeit in low quality), along with several clips from other episodes. Multiple torrents of the show existed, but they've all since died, too. | Despite being fairly popular back when it aired, it has become difficult to find full episodes of the show. It seems like the show was at one point found on several streaming services, but has since become unavailable on all of them.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Pitchmen-Season-1/dp/B0172XWGTA The first season's Amazon Prime Video page.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref><ref>[https://www.directv.com/tv/Pitchmen-blVKV3FKZStzTjg9/From-the-Jaws-of-Victory-N1B0QmpPNko3KzNjWFdjcXF3SmFZdz09 Broken DirecTV page on one of the first season's episodes.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref><ref>[https://play.google.com/store/tv/show?id=3290F845EC5BDE30SH&cdid=tvseason-9D3F059A1DB28606SE Google Play TV's page on the first season.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> Four full episodes can be found on YouTube (albeit in low quality), along with several clips from other episodes. Multiple torrents of the show existed, but they've all since died, too. | ||
A DVD of the first season was created, but it's no longer sold officially and hasn't been ripped online yet.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Pitchmen-DVD-Set-Billy-Mays/dp/B002PQQR5E Amazon page for the disc.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> The second season never saw a home media release, but was probably supposed to get one, as evident by a few blooper reels uploaded on Sullivan's own YouTube page in 2017. | A DVD of the first season was created, but it's no longer sold officially and hasn't been ripped online yet.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Pitchmen-DVD-Set-Billy-Mays/dp/B002PQQR5E Amazon page for the disc.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19</ref> Allegedly, the DVD was released before Mays' death (that is, before Discovery finished airing all the episodes), and got pulled from sales soon after it. This information comes from an Amazon review, which while might not be a reliable source, makes sense, as the DVD's box makes no reference to Mays' death.<ref name="REVIEW">[https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1BAWUAC7TC1EK/ Amazon review of the DVD, with some possible interesting information about the show's history.] Retrieved 09 Oct '19</ref> The second season never saw a home media release, but was probably supposed to get one, as evident by a few blooper reels uploaded on Sullivan's own YouTube page in 2017. | ||
===Season 1=== | ===Season 1=== | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| Line 38: | Line 39: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2. Dual Saw Shuffle | | 2. Dual Saw Shuffle | ||
| One man travels from Europe for just five minutes with Billy and Sully, hoping to make a fortune on his "Dual Saw" | | One man travels from Europe for just five minutes with Billy and Sully, hoping to make a fortune on his "Dual Saw" - an idea that was born out of a friend's tragic injury. A woman leaves her career behind to make an infomercial for her cleaning product, "Shuffles." | ||
| April 22nd, 2009 | | April 22nd, 2009 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 3. From the Jaws of Victory | | 3. From the Jaws of Victory | ||
| Billy and Sully take to the road to shoot a hands free cellphone spot that proves to be traffic-stopping. Then, for a real change of venue, they hit the high seas to test an inventor's ingenious shark repellent device. | | Billy and Sully take to the road to shoot a hands free cellphone spot that proves to be traffic-stopping. Then, for a real change of venue, they hit the high seas to test an inventor's ingenious shark repellent device. | ||
| April 29th, 2009 | | April 29th, 2009 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 4. Smells Like Gold | | 4. Smells Like Gold | ||
| A German inventor needs Sully to sell his gadget, but this perfectionist might be too much for Sully the pitchman and his team. Then a former hockey player creates a stink-eliminating spray that gets put to the test when Billy is sprayed by a skunk on shoot day. | | A German inventor needs Sully to sell his gadget, but this perfectionist might be too much for Sully the pitchman and his team. Then, a former hockey player creates a stink-eliminating spray, that gets put to the test when Billy is sprayed by a skunk on shoot day. | ||
| May 6th, 2009 | | May 6th, 2009 | ||
| <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found (See gallery)'''</span> | | <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found (See gallery)'''</span> | ||
| Line 58: | Line 59: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 6. Tool Guys | | 6. Tool Guys | ||
| Sully is fired up to shoot an infomercial for "The Grabit" | | Sully is fired up to shoot an infomercial for "The Grabit" - a broken-screw extractor - but it could fall apart when Billy makes a deal without him. Born of necessity, the "Tool Bandit" works great, but still lacks an impressive demo, and Sully's sick on the big day! | ||
| May 20th, 2009 | | May 20th, 2009 | ||
| [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjKKdmxX4ENGpSGAEwYEShSS9bn20oL-k <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>] | | [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjKKdmxX4ENGpSGAEwYEShSS9bn20oL-k <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>] | ||
| Line 68: | Line 69: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 8. Digging for Dollars | | 8. Digging for Dollars | ||
| Billy re-vamps the ad for one of his most successful products - the Awesome Auger - whose inventor lost his legs in a harrowing plane crash. Then, the first-ever infomercial for affordable health insurance: Billy and his family pitch "iCan". | | Billy re-vamps the ad for one of his most successful products - the "Awesome Auger" - whose inventor lost his legs in a harrowing plane crash. Then, the first-ever infomercial for affordable health insurance: Billy and his family pitch "iCan". | ||
| June 3rd, 2009 | | June 3rd, 2009 | ||
| [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn7cfJeGVPY <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>] | | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn7cfJeGVPY <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 9. Grater Education | | 9. Grater Education | ||
| A former pitchmen and cancer survivor gets a leg up from Billy and Sully, who both cut a spot for his handmade product | | A former pitchmen and cancer survivor gets a leg up from Billy and Sully, who both cut a spot for his handmade product. Then, Billy engages in the deadliest pitch of his career, and the pitch pros are invited to lecture at Princeton University. | ||
| June 10th, 2009 | | June 10th, 2009 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 10. A Tale of Three Billys | | 10. A Tale of Three Billys | ||
| Billy and Sully pitch a lawn fertilizer | | Billy and Sully pitch a lawn fertilizer, Billy's father pitches them a new luxury product, and Billy and Sully help Billy's son direct his first commercial. | ||
| June 17th, 2009 | | June 17th, 2009 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 11. Crunch Time | | 11. Crunch Time | ||
| Billy and Sully take on a revolutionary new windshield wiper and produce an explosive shoot, featuring something called the "Bug Bazooka." Then the guys get behind a new way to eat breakfast cereal, "The EZ Crunch Bowl." | | Billy and Sully take on a revolutionary new windshield wiper and produce an explosive shoot, featuring something called the "Bug Bazooka." Then the guys get behind a new way to eat breakfast cereal, "The EZ Crunch Bowl." | ||
| June 24th, 2009 | | June 24th, 2009 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 12. Revenge of the Pitchmen | | 12. Revenge of the Pitchmen | ||
| After banding together to take on a new pitchman on the block, tensions between Billy and Sully come to a head in Philadelphia as both are determined to win a pitch-off that will decide once and for all who is the best pitchman in the business. | | After banding together to take on a new pitchman on the block, tensions between Billy and Sully come to a head in Philadelphia, as both are determined to win a pitch-off that will decide once and for all who is the best pitchman in the business. | ||
| July 1st, 2009 | | July 1st, 2009 | ||
| [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4oPuzCUEaI <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>] | | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4oPuzCUEaI <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>] <span style="color:grey;">'''(Possible pre-Billy Mays death version unconfirmed)'''</span><ref name="REVIEW"/> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 101: | Line 102: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1. Passing the Torch | | 1. Passing the Torch | ||
| A former marine with a bright idea thinks he can revolutionize the flashlight | | A former marine with a bright idea thinks he can revolutionize the flashlight, and Sully puts his life on the line for an inventor carrying on his father's lifesaving legacy. | ||
| August 19th, 2010 | | August 19th, 2010 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2. Heart Wrench | | 2. Heart Wrench | ||
| It's a rocky road for a 16-year-old boy, and survivor of 5 heart surgeries, who invents a cool tool. Successful Inventor brothers roll the dice on a new invention | | It's a rocky road for a 16-year-old boy, and survivor of 5 heart surgeries, who invents a cool tool. Successful Inventor brothers roll the dice on a new invention, and a victim of identity theft invents a way to combat electronic pickpockets. | ||
| August 26th, 2010 | | August 26th, 2010 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 3. Bear Market | | 3. Bear Market | ||
| Inventors gamble everything on a revolutionary razor | | Inventors gamble everything on a revolutionary razor, a man creates a snack food safe that puts Sully on a closed set with a hungry grizzly, and celebrity DJ Kennedy pitches her friend Dr. Drew Pinsky an invention designed to keep prescription drugs safe. | ||
| January 18th, 2011 | | January 18th, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 4. The New Gun In Town | | 4. The New Gun In Town | ||
| Sully and assistant Kennedy head to a Chicago home and houseware convention to hear some sometimes crazy pitches for the "next big thing", including an easy stringer and a tater tornado. Then Sully heads to the circus to test a revolutionary new needle. | | Sully and assistant Kennedy head to a Chicago home and houseware convention to hear some sometimes crazy pitches for the "next big thing", including an easy stringer and a tater tornado. Then, Sully heads to the circus to test a revolutionary new needle. | ||
| January 25th, 2011 | | January 25th, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 5. From the Jaws of Victory | | 5. From the Jaws of Victory | ||
| A robotic whisk has design flaws | | A robotic whisk has design flaws, and a food-wrapping invention is pitched, along with gravity-defying workout boots. | ||
| February 1st, 2011 | | February 1st, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 6. The Cutting Edge | | 6. The Cutting Edge | ||
| A young inventor hooks Sully with a collapsing trashcan but a manufacturing short cut may destroy the product's future. Two friends think a simple piece of plastic can keep you safe from intruders | | A young inventor hooks Sully with a collapsing trashcan, but a manufacturing short cut may destroy the product's future. Two friends think a simple piece of plastic can keep you safe from intruders, and a legendary knife man gets a chance at one last pitch. | ||
| February 8th, 2011 | | February 8th, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 7. Wave of Success | | 7. Wave of Success | ||
| An inventor risks everything to get his Stadium Back chair | | An inventor risks everything to get his Stadium Back chair - and his face - on the air. A mother of four puts it all on the line with her simple alternative to the chip clip. Then, Sully and Kennedy try out an electric skateboard. | ||
| February 15th, 2011 | | February 15th, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found (See gallery)'''</span> | | <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found (See gallery)'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 8. Fighting Shape | | 8. Fighting Shape | ||
| Sully puts out a call for fitness products | | Sully puts out a call for fitness products; a female fitness star comes back to the spotlight with her "Chest Magic" machine. Also, BMXers test two new concepts: one, a "bicycle meets elliptical trainer", and the other, a "bicycle meets rowing machine". | ||
| February 22nd, 2011 | | February 22nd, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 9. Fishing for Gold | | 9. Fishing for Gold | ||
| Sully mixes business and pleasure testing a Frisbee flying fishing tool. An inventor also hooks Sully's heart with a fitness tool a man invents to save his best friend's life. Sully and Kennedy field test a patent pro's new suction device. | | Sully mixes business and pleasure testing a Frisbee flying fishing tool. An inventor also hooks Sully's heart with a fitness tool a man invents to save his best friend's life. Sully and Kennedy field test a patent pro's new suction device. | ||
| March 1st, 2011 | | March 1st, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 10. On a Wing and a Prayer | | 10. On a Wing and a Prayer | ||
| Sully shares his tricks of the trade with 3 junior pitchmen and endures some of the adults' less successful pitches. A fighter pilot pitches his new fitness tool, and a friend comes out of his own pitchman retirement with Flippin Sticks. | | Sully shares his tricks of the trade with 3 junior pitchmen and endures some of the adults' less successful pitches. A fighter pilot pitches his new fitness tool, and a friend comes out of his own pitchman retirement with "Flippin Sticks". | ||
| March 8th, 2011 | | March 8th, 2011 | ||
| <span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span> | | <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 158: | Line 159: | ||
|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 =UF6UmB_K4is | |id2 =UF6UmB_K4is | ||
|description2 =A part of "Smells Like Gold". | |description2 =A part of ''"Smells Like Gold"''. | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 =5ySrNlN2-Ao | |id3 =5ySrNlN2-Ao | ||
|description3 =A short clip from presumably "Smells Like Gold". | |description3 =A short clip from presumably ''"Smells Like Gold"''. | ||
|service4 =youtube | |service4 =youtube | ||
|id4 =-H3-uHMwiVs | |id4 =-H3-uHMwiVs | ||
|description4 =A clip from "Spotting Talent". | |description4 =A clip from ''"Spotting Talent"''. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Video|perrow =3 | {{Video|perrow =3 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
|id1 =J9hJ4GX6Kxw | |id1 =J9hJ4GX6Kxw | ||
|description1 =The opening clip of "Spinning Green". | |description1 =The opening clip of ''"Spinning Green"''. | ||
|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 =5aaP4kVOH44 | |id2 =5aaP4kVOH44 | ||
|description2 =A clip from the first season. | |description2 =A clip from the first season. | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 = | |id3 =gSod-S29t6Y | ||
|description3 = | |description3 =Behind-the-scenes clip from ''"Crunch Time"''. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Video|perrow =3 | {{Video|perrow =3 | ||
| Line 186: | Line 187: | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 =ZospXUGndkM | |id3 =ZospXUGndkM | ||
|description3 =A part of "Wave of Success". | |description3 =A part of ''"Wave of Success"''. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Video|perrow =3 | {{Video|perrow =3 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
|id1 =JdXiUN8lBkw | |id1 =JdXiUN8lBkw | ||
|description1 =Another part of "Wave of Success". | |description1 =Another part of ''"Wave of Success"''. | ||
|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 =k8LHZ600TaI | |id2 =k8LHZ600TaI | ||
|description2 =A 3D render of the RoboStir from "From the Jaws of Victory | |description2 =A 3D render of the RoboStir from ''"From the Jaws of Victory (2011)"''. | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 =By38UBEoyq0 | |id3 =By38UBEoyq0 | ||
|description3 =A blooper reel | |description3 =A blooper reel of possibly ''"Fighting Shape"'', ''"The Cutting Edge"'', ''"The New Gun In Town"'' and ''"On a Wing and a Prayer"''. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{Video|perrow =3 | {{Video|perrow =3 | ||
|service1 =youtube | |service1 =youtube | ||
|id1 =eQWfvXf16NM | |id1 =eQWfvXf16NM | ||
|description1 =A blooper reel | |description1 =A blooper reel of possibly ''"Passing the Torch"'', ''"From the Jaws of Victory (2011)"'' and ''"The New Gun In Town"''. | ||
|service2 =youtube | |service2 =youtube | ||
|id2 =aT_OIfqaR-k | |id2 =aT_OIfqaR-k | ||
|description2 =A blooper reel | |description2 =A blooper reel of possibly ''"Heart Wrench"'' and ''"The Cutting Edge"''. | ||
|service3 =youtube | |service3 =youtube | ||
|id3 =HpnJbd2vjLw | |id3 =HpnJbd2vjLw | ||
|description3 =A blooper reel | |description3 =A blooper reel of possibly ''"Passing the Torch"'', ''"The New Gun In Town"'', ''"Wave of Success"'', ''"From the Jaws of Victory (2011)"'' and ''"Heart Wrench"''. | ||
}} | }} | ||
<gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | <gallery mode=packed heights=175px> | ||
File:PitchMenDVD.jpg|The first season's DVD cover. | File:PitchMenDVD.jpg|The first season's DVD cover. | ||
File:PitchmenDVDBack.jpg|The back of the first season's DVD. | File:PitchmenDVDBack.jpg|The back of the first season's DVD. | ||
File:PitchmenDualSawShuffle.jpg|A screenshot of ''Dual Saw Shuffle''. | File:PitchmenDualSawShuffle.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Dual Saw Shuffle"''. | ||
File:PitchmenDualSawShuffle2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''Dual Saw Shuffle''. | File:PitchmenDualSawShuffle2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"Dual Saw Shuffle"''. | ||
File:PitchMenFromTheJawsOfVictory.jpg|A screenshot of ''From the Jaws of Victory''. | File:PitchMenFromTheJawsOfVictory.jpg|A screenshot of ''"From the Jaws of Victory (2009)"''. | ||
File:PitchMenFromTheJawsOfVictory2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''From the Jaws of Victory''. | File:PitchMenFromTheJawsOfVictory2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"From the Jaws of Victory (2009)"''. | ||
File:PitchMenSmellsLikeGold.jpg|A screenshot of ''Smells Like Gold''. | File:PitchMenSmellsLikeGold.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Smells Like Gold"''. | ||
File:PitchMenSmellsLikeGold2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''Smells Like Gold''. | File:PitchMenSmellsLikeGold2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"Smells Like Gold"''. | ||
File:PitchMenSpottingTalent.jpg|A screenshot of ''Spotting Talent''. | File:PitchMenSpottingTalent.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Spotting Talent"''. | ||
File:PitchMenSpottingTalent2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''Spotting Talent''. | File:PitchMenSpottingTalent2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"Spotting Talent"''. | ||
File:PitchMenSpinningGreen.jpg|A screenshot of ''Spinning Green''. | File:PitchMenSpinningGreen.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Spinning Green"''. | ||
File:PitchMenSpinningGreen2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''Spinning Green''. | File:PitchMenSpinningGreen2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"Spinning Green"''. | ||
File:PitchMenGraterEducation.jpg|A screenshot of ''Grater Education''. | File:PitchMenGraterEducation.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Grater Education"''. | ||
File:PitchMenGraterEducation2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''Grater Education''. | File:PitchMenGraterEducation2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"Grater Education"''. | ||
File:PitchMenATaleOfThreeBillys.jpg|A screenshot of ''A Tale Of Three Billys''. | File:PitchMenATaleOfThreeBillys.jpg|A screenshot of ''"A Tale Of Three Billys"''. | ||
File:PitchMenATaleOfThreeBillys2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''A Tale Of Three Billys''. | File:PitchMenATaleOfThreeBillys2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"A Tale Of Three Billys"''. | ||
File:PitchMenCrunchTime.jpg|A screenshot of ''Crunch Time''. | File:PitchMenCrunchTime.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Crunch Time"''. | ||
File:PitchMenCrunchTime2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''Crunch Time''. | File:PitchMenCrunchTime2.jpg|Another screenshot of ''"Crunch Time"''. | ||
File:PitchmenPassingTheTorch.jpg|A screenshot of ''Passing The Torch''. | File:PitchmenPassingTheTorch.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Passing The Torch"''. | ||
File:PitchmenHeartWrench.jpg|A screenshot of ''Heart Wrench''. | File:PitchmenHeartWrench.jpg|A screenshot of ''"Heart Wrench"''. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PitchMen Wikipedia page on ''PitchMen'' (contains inaccurate/outdated information).] Retrieved 08 Sept '19 | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PitchMen Wikipedia page on ''PitchMen'' (contains inaccurate/outdated information).] Retrieved 08 Sept '19 | ||
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8oFyCMMQeBveH4SAxRWNuNsEQ9wjXS7x The entire "Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays" special on YouTube.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19 | *[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8oFyCMMQeBveH4SAxRWNuNsEQ9wjXS7x The entire ''"Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays"'' special on YouTube.] Retrieved 08 Sept '19 | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Partially found media]] | [[Category:Partially found media]] | ||
[[Category:Featured articles]] | [[Category:Featured articles]] | ||
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]] | |||
Revision as of 21:22, 9 October 2019
Promotional image of the show.
Status: Partially Found
PitchMen is a docudrama TV series that aired on the Discovery Channel and was produced by Original Productions. The series was a behind-the-scenes peek at the legendary pitchmen Billy Mays & Anthony "Sully" Sullivan's lives in the competitive direct-response marketing business.
Premise
While the episodes' content varied from episode to episode, most of them started with inventors showing off their ideas to the two pitchmen. Two products would be selected from the pile and field-tested for any potential interest. If the field tests on the products were satisfactory, the crew would film an infomercial for them. The infomercial would then air on a test market, and the inventor gets later notified whether their product was a success.
In-between the invention pitching, the show would delve deeper into Mays' and Sullivan's personal lives. The couple would go on trade shows, feud with each other (or with rival pitchmen such as Vince Offer), or generally hang out with their families.
History
The show was officially announced by Discovery on January 9th, 2009, under the name "But Wait... There's More" (with 13 episodes, as opposed to the 12 episodes eventually released).[1] Interestingly, reports of Mays and Sullivan signing a production deal for the show's pilot came around as early as June 2008, with a name more close to the final one, "Pitch Men".[2] It's uncertain whether the pilot was simply the first episode, "High Impact Item", or a completely different, unaired episode. Possible proof of a different pilot episode comes from what Mays says in said article:
"It's really sort of my life story, so it will be old school, starting at selling housewares on the Boardwalk,"
...which doesn't match with "High Impact Item" (although Mays does recall his life story later in "Revenge of the Pitchmen", but only for a minute or so).
The first episode, "High Impact Item", aired on April 15th, 2009, and was met with generally positive reviews. In an unexpected change of events, Billy Mays was found dead in his Tampa home on June 28th, 2009 (3 days before the final episode aired).[3] In response to this, Discovery changed their screen bug to feature Mays, aired a marathon of all the episodes, and released a tribute named "Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays" (which can be easily found online). Following Mays' death, it seemed obvious that the show would not be renewed for a second season, but Discovery contradicted that in a July 2009 press-release.[4] As a result of the lack of Mays, Sullivan became the sole star of the second season, with an occasional appearance of Mays' son, Billy Mays III.
Despite Sullivan's effort into salvaging the show, the viewership of the season two premiere was too low, and Discovery pulled the plug after just two episodes.[5] Eventually, Discovery put the show back on January 2011 to air the remaining episodes, although the show was put on a filler slot and got barely any promotion (so much so, that most people still recall Discovery never airing the last episodes).[6]
Availability
Despite being fairly popular back when it aired, it has become difficult to find full episodes of the show. It seems like the show was at one point found on several streaming services, but has since become unavailable on all of them.[7][8][9] Four full episodes can be found on YouTube (albeit in low quality), along with several clips from other episodes. Multiple torrents of the show existed, but they've all since died, too.
A DVD of the first season was created, but it's no longer sold officially and hasn't been ripped online yet.[10] Allegedly, the DVD was released before Mays' death (that is, before Discovery finished airing all the episodes), and got pulled from sales soon after it. This information comes from an Amazon review, which while might not be a reliable source, makes sense, as the DVD's box makes no reference to Mays' death.[11] The second season never saw a home media release, but was probably supposed to get one, as evident by a few blooper reels uploaded on Sullivan's own YouTube page in 2017.
Season 1
| Episode[12] | Synopsis | Air Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. High Impact Item | Billy and Sully try to turn two inventors' million-dollar dreams into realities. A man from a Texas trailer park has solved a pesky GPS problem, while another man's gel insoles could be big news for sore feet. But will they sell when put to the test? | April 15th, 2009 | Found |
| 2. Dual Saw Shuffle | One man travels from Europe for just five minutes with Billy and Sully, hoping to make a fortune on his "Dual Saw" - an idea that was born out of a friend's tragic injury. A woman leaves her career behind to make an infomercial for her cleaning product, "Shuffles." | April 22nd, 2009 | Lost |
| 3. From the Jaws of Victory | Billy and Sully take to the road to shoot a hands free cellphone spot that proves to be traffic-stopping. Then, for a real change of venue, they hit the high seas to test an inventor's ingenious shark repellent device. | April 29th, 2009 | Lost |
| 4. Smells Like Gold | A German inventor needs Sully to sell his gadget, but this perfectionist might be too much for Sully the pitchman and his team. Then, a former hockey player creates a stink-eliminating spray, that gets put to the test when Billy is sprayed by a skunk on shoot day. | May 6th, 2009 | Partially Found (See gallery) |
| 5. Spotting Talent | A 17-year-old boy has invented a cleaning product called the "Spot Sucker," but needs Billy and Sully's help to get it off the ground and change his life for the better. A woman with a foot salve and a small fan-base comes to Billy and Sully to take her business to the next level. | May 13th, 2009 | Partially Found (See gallery) |
| 6. Tool Guys | Sully is fired up to shoot an infomercial for "The Grabit" - a broken-screw extractor - but it could fall apart when Billy makes a deal without him. Born of necessity, the "Tool Bandit" works great, but still lacks an impressive demo, and Sully's sick on the big day! | May 20th, 2009 | Found |
| 7. Spinning Green | A successful TV pitchwoman hopes to make herself a household name with her new "Spin Gym," but making her infomercial could damage her friendship with Billy and Sully. Next, Billy gets to have some selling fun as a guest on the Tonight Show. | May 27th, 2009 | Partially Found (See gallery) |
| 8. Digging for Dollars | Billy re-vamps the ad for one of his most successful products - the "Awesome Auger" - whose inventor lost his legs in a harrowing plane crash. Then, the first-ever infomercial for affordable health insurance: Billy and his family pitch "iCan". | June 3rd, 2009 | Found |
| 9. Grater Education | A former pitchmen and cancer survivor gets a leg up from Billy and Sully, who both cut a spot for his handmade product. Then, Billy engages in the deadliest pitch of his career, and the pitch pros are invited to lecture at Princeton University. | June 10th, 2009 | Lost |
| 10. A Tale of Three Billys | Billy and Sully pitch a lawn fertilizer, Billy's father pitches them a new luxury product, and Billy and Sully help Billy's son direct his first commercial. | June 17th, 2009 | Lost |
| 11. Crunch Time | Billy and Sully take on a revolutionary new windshield wiper and produce an explosive shoot, featuring something called the "Bug Bazooka." Then the guys get behind a new way to eat breakfast cereal, "The EZ Crunch Bowl." | June 24th, 2009 | Lost |
| 12. Revenge of the Pitchmen | After banding together to take on a new pitchman on the block, tensions between Billy and Sully come to a head in Philadelphia, as both are determined to win a pitch-off that will decide once and for all who is the best pitchman in the business. | July 1st, 2009 | Found (Possible pre-Billy Mays death version unconfirmed)[11] |
Season 2
| Episode[13][14][15] | Synopsis | Air Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Passing the Torch | A former marine with a bright idea thinks he can revolutionize the flashlight, and Sully puts his life on the line for an inventor carrying on his father's lifesaving legacy. | August 19th, 2010 | Lost |
| 2. Heart Wrench | It's a rocky road for a 16-year-old boy, and survivor of 5 heart surgeries, who invents a cool tool. Successful Inventor brothers roll the dice on a new invention, and a victim of identity theft invents a way to combat electronic pickpockets. | August 26th, 2010 | Lost |
| 3. Bear Market | Inventors gamble everything on a revolutionary razor, a man creates a snack food safe that puts Sully on a closed set with a hungry grizzly, and celebrity DJ Kennedy pitches her friend Dr. Drew Pinsky an invention designed to keep prescription drugs safe. | January 18th, 2011 | Lost |
| 4. The New Gun In Town | Sully and assistant Kennedy head to a Chicago home and houseware convention to hear some sometimes crazy pitches for the "next big thing", including an easy stringer and a tater tornado. Then, Sully heads to the circus to test a revolutionary new needle. | January 25th, 2011 | Lost |
| 5. From the Jaws of Victory | A robotic whisk has design flaws, and a food-wrapping invention is pitched, along with gravity-defying workout boots. | February 1st, 2011 | Lost |
| 6. The Cutting Edge | A young inventor hooks Sully with a collapsing trashcan, but a manufacturing short cut may destroy the product's future. Two friends think a simple piece of plastic can keep you safe from intruders, and a legendary knife man gets a chance at one last pitch. | February 8th, 2011 | Lost |
| 7. Wave of Success | An inventor risks everything to get his Stadium Back chair - and his face - on the air. A mother of four puts it all on the line with her simple alternative to the chip clip. Then, Sully and Kennedy try out an electric skateboard. | February 15th, 2011 | Partially Found (See gallery) |
| 8. Fighting Shape | Sully puts out a call for fitness products; a female fitness star comes back to the spotlight with her "Chest Magic" machine. Also, BMXers test two new concepts: one, a "bicycle meets elliptical trainer", and the other, a "bicycle meets rowing machine". | February 22nd, 2011 | Lost |
| 9. Fishing for Gold | Sully mixes business and pleasure testing a Frisbee flying fishing tool. An inventor also hooks Sully's heart with a fitness tool a man invents to save his best friend's life. Sully and Kennedy field test a patent pro's new suction device. | March 1st, 2011 | Lost |
| 10. On a Wing and a Prayer | Sully shares his tricks of the trade with 3 junior pitchmen and endures some of the adults' less successful pitches. A fighter pilot pitches his new fitness tool, and a friend comes out of his own pitchman retirement with "Flippin Sticks". | March 8th, 2011 | Lost |
Gallery
The first season's DVD cover.
The back of the first season's DVD.
A screenshot of "Dual Saw Shuffle".
Another screenshot of "Dual Saw Shuffle".
A screenshot of "From the Jaws of Victory (2009)".
Another screenshot of "From the Jaws of Victory (2009)".
A screenshot of "Smells Like Gold".
Another screenshot of "Smells Like Gold".
A screenshot of "Spotting Talent".
Another screenshot of "Spotting Talent".
A screenshot of "Spinning Green".
Another screenshot of "Spinning Green".
A screenshot of "Grater Education".
Another screenshot of "Grater Education".
A screenshot of "A Tale Of Three Billys".
Another screenshot of "A Tale Of Three Billys".
A screenshot of "Crunch Time".
Another screenshot of "Crunch Time".
A screenshot of "Passing The Torch".
A screenshot of "Heart Wrench".
External Links
- Wikipedia page on PitchMen (contains inaccurate/outdated information). Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- The entire "Pitchman: A Tribute to Billy Mays" special on YouTube. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
References
- ↑ Discovery's announcement of the show. Archived 04 Feb '19
- ↑ St. Petersburg Times article on the production deal. Archived 06 Jun '08
- ↑ Telegraph article on Mays' death. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ The Futon Critic's article on the second season's announcement. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ The Futon Critic article about the second season getting pulled. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ A /r/Lost_Films posts about lost Billy Mays infomercials, that erroneously states that the last PitchMen episodes never aired. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ The first season's Amazon Prime Video page. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ Broken DirecTV page on one of the first season's episodes. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ Google Play TV's page on the first season. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ Amazon page for the disc. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Amazon review of the DVD, with some possible interesting information about the show's history. Retrieved 09 Oct '19
- ↑ Followshows page on the first season. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ TV Guide page on the second season. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ TV.com page on the second season. Retrieved 08 Sept '19
- ↑ EpisodeWorld page on the second season. Retrieved 08 Sept '19