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View Full Version : Pitchmen "Spin Gym" (5/27/09, Spoilers)


jschuman
05-28-2009, 02:05 PM
Some random thoughts on this episode:

- I think this was the first episode where I was actually rooting for the product to fail. The 'pitchwoman' came off as quite unlikable to me, and although it seemed like she had a financial interest in the success of the Spin Gym, it just didn't resonate with me as much as the other products where the actual inventor was involved.

- I couldn't find the Spin Gym offered anywhere online. Makes me think the product was a total flop.

- I think A.J. had it right when he commented that it seemed next to impossible to show-off the Spin Gym in a 2:00 spot. Sort of makes me think that if he (or the Guys) were brought this product by someone they didn't have a previous relationship with, it would not have gotten their backing. My guess is that they all believed that this product would be "good for the show" whether it ended up being a success or failure.

- Sully and Billy Mays really came across well in this episode. Underneath all the shtick I think they are probably pretty good friends. In fact, I think Sully comes across the best - just look at how he was gushing over Billy's appearance on The Tonight Show. Not a hint of jealousy, just genuine pride in his friend's (and by proxy, his) accomplishments.

This show reminds me of an infomercial. Once you start watching, it's very, very hard to turn off. :)

marksman
05-28-2009, 02:10 PM
Haha I was rooting for it to fail too. I was so over the moon happy when they revealed the CPOs. Her ignorance of marketing is weird given what she does for a living. I thought the product was dumb and the reason people might think it is a toy is because it is a toy. I am pretty sure I used to have that toy when I was little.

She was on such an ego trip. I also like how she secured the NA rights to the product, which apparently did not include a name.

Yeah I think under normal circumstances AJ might have passed. He seems like he has earned his success and has a pretty good eye and feel for all this. It did crack me up when he de-engineered it and made it from plastic.

I did find her website, myspingym.com and the are selling the spin gym for 29.99 now.

jschuman
05-28-2009, 02:17 PM
I did find her website, myspingym.com and the are selling the spin gym for 29.99 now.Ah, there it is. Funny my google searches didn't find it. Guess that's why it's not selling. :)

$30?!? She's nuts.

ElJay
05-28-2009, 02:30 PM
Third on rooting for it to fail. I thought America redeemed itself a bit when Billy & Sully laid out the horrid numbers. $20-30 for a string with handles on it and a piece of plastic in the middle plus a DVD? Give me a break! AJ had the right idea from the start.

"The SpinGym® trademark is owned by, and used under license from, Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc." I bet they paid more than $10k for the name.

Billy's arrogance during the Kaboom shoot was pretty amusing. Sully does always seem to have a good insight into making a good shot, though Billy doesn't seem to listen. (I have to wonder if that is being played up for this show.)

freeze12
05-28-2009, 02:51 PM
I was hoping for it to fail too as She had no idea on how to market the item & Sully & Billy both told Her that it should sell for $9.99
Here is her website for the "SpinGym"..Good luck at that price She is asking for the product.

https://www.myspingym.com/flare/next

Magister
05-28-2009, 03:24 PM
$40 is a lot for that toy. 29.99 + 9.99 for shipping.

Imagine doing that at the office, people wouldn't stop laughing.

doom1701
05-30-2009, 10:03 PM
I couldn't distract myself from how it looked like someone had punched the woman in the face four or five times; I wonder if she's had work (probably) or if it was just bad makeup. Either way, it was a stupid product and I never once felt for her, other than when I heard they might make it out of plastic.

I did like how they really humanized Billy and Sully this episode. Less of the fake product drama and more of the people and the background of how they make their living is a :up: in my book.

The Spud
05-30-2009, 11:26 PM
I haven't watched the episode, but I did visit the website. We used to make those with a piece of string and a button when I was in 2nd grade over 45 years ago.

bareyb
05-31-2009, 03:53 PM
I think Sully was right. They should've made it out of plastic and sold it for ten bucks. Can't you make the same thing out of some thread and a button? :p


ETA: Damn you The Spud! ;) :D