18 Ridiculous TV Products That Somehow Sold Millions
These are real, often absurd TV products that somehow defied logic and taste to become multi-million-dollar hits.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
In the wild world of direct-to-consumer television marketing, absurdity often becomes a selling point rather than a drawback. These 18 products, from vibrating dumbbells to pooping-dog harnesses, succeeded not in spite of their ridiculousness but because of it — capitalizing on catchy jingles, memorable pitches, and quirky promises. This list explores how each item found its audience, proving that in the land of infomercials, the line between parody and profit is thinner than you think.
1. The Snuggie
Image from Wikipedia
The Snuggie looked like a hospital gown in reverse, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a pop culture phenomenon. Marketed as a “blanket with sleeves,” it let people stay warm while using their arms freely — because apparently, regular blankets are too complicated. At one point, it sold over 30 million units and inspired parodies, lawsuits, and even Snuggie pub crawls.
2. The Shake Weight
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You’d be forgiven for thinking it was a Saturday Night Live skit. This jiggling dumbbell promised toned arms in just six minutes a day and had people shaking it on late-night TV. The sexual innuendo was impossible to ignore, but that didn’t stop it from selling over $40 million worth.
3. The Flowbee
Image from Wikipedia
Why go to the barber when you can vacuum-cut your hair at home? The Flowbee — a bizarre mix of clippers and a vacuum — gave thousands of people DIY haircuts starting in the late ’80s. It even saw a resurgence during the pandemic and had a cameo in a George Clooney interview.
4. The Clapper
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“Clap on, clap off!” The Clapper turned your lights on and off with the sound of a clap, and it became a staple of ‘90s infomercial culture. It was a little gimmicky and often triggered by loud TVs, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a household name.
5. The Pet Rock
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In 1975, Gary Dahl sold literal rocks in a box, marketed as low-maintenance pets. Each rock came with a care manual and a cardboard “habitat” — no feeding or walking required. It was a brilliant joke that turned into a goldmine, raking in over $15 million in just six months.
6. The Tiddy Bear
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Yes, that’s how it’s spelled. This tiny bear clips onto your seatbelt to make it more comfortable across your chest because apparently, fabric was ruining everyone’s life. The name made people snicker, but it still became a bestseller.
7. The Ab Roller
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Fitness fads come and go, but few had the staying power or late-night airtime of the Ab Roller. It looked like part of a torture device, yet millions swore by it for six-pack abs. Despite mixed reviews from health experts, it helped shape the at-home fitness boom of the ’90s.
8. The Slap Chop
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You’re gonna love his nuts! With a wildly energetic pitchman and a simple push-down chopping device, the Slap Chop sliced its way into millions of kitchens. The product was decent, but it was Vince Offer’s meme-worthy delivery that really sold it.
9. The Chia Pet
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“Ch-ch-ch-Chia!” These terracotta figurines grew sprouts like green hair and became a holiday staple in the ’80s and ’90s. With endless variations, from sheep to SpongeBob, they sold over 15 million units.
10. The George Foreman Grill
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A boxing legend selling a mini grill? Sounds strange, but it worked. The George Foreman Grill, marketed as a lean, mean, fat-reducing machine, made over $200 million — and supposedly helped Foreman earn more than his boxing career.
11. The Magic Bullet Blender
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It chopped, diced, blended, and looked like a toy. With its fast-talking infomercials and a dizzying array of attachments, the Magic Bullet became an unlikely kitchen essential. It sold millions thanks to its convenience and campy late-night ads.
12. The PooTrap
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Yes, it’s a harness that catches dog poop before it hits the ground. It was marketed as a hands-free solution for pet owners, but it made dogs look like they were wearing parachutes. It was ridiculed endlessly online but sold surprisingly well for a time.
13. The Squatty Potty
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A toilet stool that promises better bowel movements isn’t the sexiest pitch. With a unicorn-pooping-ice-cream commercial and a dose of real medical logic, the Squatty Potty became a bathroom game-changer. It sold millions and got a major boost from Shark Tank.
14. The Perfect Pancake Pan
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Flipping pancakes is just too hard, right? This double-sided pan promised golden, even, effortless pancakes every time. It worked decently enough, but its infomercial made it look like your breakfast dreams were just a flip away.
15. The ThighMaster
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Suzanne Somers made leg squeezes sexy. The ThighMaster was a simple resistance device you used while watching TV, ideally with a wistful smile and perfect hair. It sold over 10 million units and became a ‘90s fitness icon.
16. The Hairagami
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This bendable hair tool claimed to give you perfect buns in seconds. It looked like a ’90s slap bracelet, but it made hairstyling oddly enjoyable. Millions bought it, hoping for instant elegance without the salon price.
17. The Bumpits
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For women who wanted sky-high volume with minimal effort, Bumpits were the plastic scaffolding of their dreams. Infomercials showed women going from flat to fabulous with one quick insert. They were mocked, memed, and mimicked — but they still flew off the shelves.
18. The Hawaii Chair
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If you thought sitting couldn’t get any weirder, meet the Hawaii Chair. It supposedly gave you an ab workout while you sat at your desk by gyrating your lower body in a hula motion. The effect was so ridiculous it landed on Ellen — but it still sold to curious consumers.
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