10 Infomercials from the Past That Were Unintentionally Hilarious

These 10 infomercials were meant to be serious but ended up becoming unintentional sources of humor.

Sophia Zapanta
May 23, 2025
4 min read

10 Infomercials from the Past That Were Unintentionally Hilarious — 75Portlewes on Wikimedia Commons

Infomercials have been a big part of TV history, often selling strange or overhyped products with dramatic presentations. Some of them were so over-the-top or awkward that they made people laugh instead of buy. This list looks back at 10 infomercials that became unintentionally funny, even if that was never the goal.

1. Shake Weight

Herrea on Wikimedia Commons

The Shake Weight was introduced as a fitness tool for arms and shoulders. The commercial showed people using a spring-loaded weight that moved back and forth when shaken. The way it worked looked awkward and made many viewers uncomfortable. It quickly became a viral topic online, mostly for how it appeared on screen.

2. GLH (Great Looking Hair) Spray

Louise Palanker on Wikimedia Commons

GLH was a spray-on hair product designed to cover bald spots. The infomercial showed people spraying black or brown powder onto their scalp. The change was quick, but the texture and look did not match real hair. Viewers were surprised by how unnatural and obvious it looked.

3. Flowbee

Tobias Mittelmeier on Wikimedia Commons

The Flowbee combined a vacuum with a hair clipper. The goal was to let people cut their own hair at home while keeping things clean. The product worked, but the ad showed people vacuuming their heads with strange smiles and odd camera angles. Many found the setup and visuals funny, even though the idea itself had some logic.

4. Tiddy Bear

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The Tiddy Bear was a small cushion that clipped onto your seatbelt to reduce pressure on your chest. The product was practical, especially for long drives. But the commercial repeated the product’s name so often — and in such a serious tone — that many viewers were distracted by how it sounded. The name, combined with close-up shots of people adjusting the bear on their chests, made the ad feel unintentionally awkward.

5. Snuggie

David Shankbone on Wikimedia Commons

The Snuggie is a fleece blanket with sleeves. The infomercial presented it as a major improvement over regular blankets. People wore it while doing normal things like reading or using the remote, but the tone made it sound like a major invention. The way families sat in matching Snuggies made the ad seem more staged than realistic.

6. Slap Chop

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Slap Chop was a kitchen tool meant to make chopping vegetables faster and easier. The spokesperson, Vince Offer, delivered his lines quickly and with unusual phrases. His speech style was fast and filled with dramatic gestures. It got attention, but many people focused more on his personality than the product.

7. Perfect Pancake Pan

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The Perfect Pancake Pan was designed to flip pancakes without making a mess. The infomercial showed people struggling with regular spatulas, then smoothly flipping pancakes with the special pan. The demonstrations were overly dramatic, with pancakes flying everywhere in the “before” scenes. The exaggerated cooking fails made the product feel more like a comedy skit than a real solution.

8. Ab Roller

Aleksander Durkiewicz on Wikimedia Commons

This small wheel was meant for core workouts and claimed to replace full gym routines. The commercial featured users rolling forward and back on the floor. The movement was real, but the actors’ serious faces and staged effort drew attention. It didn’t match how people actually exercise at home.

9. Bedazzler

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The Bedazzler let users attach gems and studs to clothing for decoration. It was mainly aimed at people who liked crafts or DIY fashion. The product worked, but the commercial showed people going overboard with their designs. This made it feel out of step with everyday style.

10. George Foreman Grill

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The George Foreman Grill promised healthier cooking by draining fat from meats as they cooked. The infomercial showed George Foreman himself enthusiastically explaining how easy and quick it was to use. While the grill was genuinely useful, the over-the-top enthusiasm and catchy slogans made the ad stand out. It became one of the most recognizable infomercials ever, partly because of its energy and partly because it sold so well.