Let me tell you who I miss on the television.  I miss Billy Mays.  Here was a person who was truly excited about every single thing he tried to sell.  This enthusiasm allotted for a small bit of fame for the man, but also a very effective product name recognition virus that haunts even today.  I’m sure this fact delights him.  Mighty Putty, Orange Glo, Oxiclean, and Kaboom, were all etched into my mind and I can still picture the man pitching all of these items with exuberance that made you laugh, but also remember.

What’s funny, though, is that from time to time, I pretend to be Billy Mays.  I can talk like him.  I can make my voice sound roughly like his once did.  My kids love it.  My wife rolls her eyes.  For me, it’s fun to do and it livens up any room I’m in.  I pretend to hawk items all around the room.  “Hi, Scott Reslow here for legos.  Have you ever wanted to make small buildings that no one could possibly live in?  If so, Legos are for you.”

What made Billy Mays so successful, though, was that the public believed he was so stoked about the items he was pitching.  We all thought that Mays used Mighty Putty.  We could see how fired up he was about the Fix It pen and it’s uses.  He had the ability to show the viewers that yes, these items tended to be unconventional, but damn it they work.  Try them!  He had us thinking that Billy Mays was staking his credibility on each product, so if Billy says it works, it must.

Now, in addition to the fact that I may channel my inner Billy Mays from time to time, I truly do wish he was still around.  If he was here, I’d certainly write a note to him saying that it’s essential that he do an infomercial on the Vibram 5 Fingers.  I could picture it now…

“Hi, Billy Mays here, for the Vibram 5 Fingers.  Are you interested in changing your lifestyle?  Thinking about losing weight, getting stronger, actually liking the activity of running?  If so, then I have the thing for you.  Vibram 5 Fingers are the shoe that can take you to the next level and bring you back to what nature intended human beings to do.”

“Is it a shoe, or a slipper?  I don’t know!  What I do know is that these babies allow you to run the proper way.  Your gait will change and thus your body will follow, which in turn will allow you to run with more enjoyment while getting your feet and legs stronger.  Once this conversion is complete, and you WILL have to start out slow, you’ll love to run! With this new love of running, you’ll be sure to do it more and more and more.  This now addictive activity will ensure a healthier life and body, and all thanks to the Vibram 5 Fingers.  Act now and change your life today!  Here is how you order…”

This is essentially what happened to me, and it’s absolutely what I think about this very cool footwear.  However, if Mays was pitching it, people would believe it a lot more then if it was just Scott Reslow telling them.  A lot more…

Miss you Billy!