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Well, it’s official: Snuggies have taken over our TVs, PCs and hearts. While I was getting ready for work this morning, I watched a Today Show segment about the product, and while the hosts (all snuggled in Snuggies, of course) discussed the craze and ubiquitous infomercial, they pointed out that the ad had been running on a small TV in the background of a prior segment, when they were interviewing Joann Killeen (spokeswoman for crazy octuplet situation) from an NBC studio in Los Angeles. Then while I was riding the bus to work, I read about Snuggies in the RedEye. Two columnists went head to head in “The Snuggie: Awesome or useless?” You can even vote yourself, although my opinion, “Awesomely Useless,” isn’t an option.According to USA Today, there are nearly 250 Facebook groups associated with the Snuggie, both pro and con (one fan club boasts 5,999 members), and YouTube hosts nearly 300 parody videos. Personally, this is the second time I’ve blogged about the wearable blanket… and I just may add it to my Labels.
And the infomercial doesn’t just deliver entertainment value—apparently these backward robes are selling like hot cakes. Which leaves a lot of people (namely, Matt Lauer—I heart you) wondering why. I’ve already spent way too much time pondering… here’s what I’ve come up with:
- The infomercial claims you can reduce your gas bill by wearing a Snuggie rather than turning up your heat, and Americans love to waste money in the pursuit of saving money. (Remember reading about people waiting hours, I assume in their running cars, in line for cheap gas?) And times are tough in this consumer culture.
- Adorable name = successful product (ex: Smuckers, Huggies, SpongeBob SquarePants). I’m pretty sure adorableness is the reason I try to work “Snuggies” into as many conversations as possible—it's like a verbal hug! Conversely, I never suggest going to Au Bon Pain for lunch, even though it’s delicious, because I think the café’s name is stupid, i.e. I don’t know how to pronounce it. Same reason I’ll never live on Goethe St. Or be friends with anyone who does. (Ger-ta? Gu-ta? Verbal equivalent of tripping over your own feet).
- We’re so f-ing cold in this winter’s deep freeze that we’ve lost our minds.
5 comments:
I was totally watching the Today show when this was on this morning! I wanted to call you, but I figured you'd be getting ready for work. I, for one, am now in support of the Snuggie. On the eve of returning to my parents' house for 6 weeks where my dad keeps the thermostat at 62 degrees, I'm up for anything that keeps my blood from freezing in my veins.
OK I love you! You made me laugh so hard I almost spit out my tea, and in turn watching me do that made Brett laugh!! By the way have you noticed that Emperor, Palpatine is in that commercial???
LOL - I had to Google Emperor Palpatine :)
the two best infomercial products ever have to the Snuggie and the Shamwow... i wonder if it's possible to combine the two, and make a single, super-absorbent robe?
BAHAHA I think I'd actually buy that... I'm always slobbering all over my blanket when stuffing my face while watching infomercials.
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