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According to Discovery Channel’s website, tonight’s episode, “Digging for Dollars,” will feature Billy Mays revamping his infomercial add for the classic Awesome Auger as well as shooting the first infomercial ever done for affordable health insurance, “iCan.”

Here’s the classic Billy Mays “Awesome Auger” video:

Product:  Awesome Auger
Inventor: Thomas Matasko

Product: iCan Health Insurance
Inventor: iCan Benefit Group, LLC.

Here We Go…

I bet this one starts a little different. H”mmm…
Here comes the discovery channel product test portion. M’mmm a bag that becomes a hat and a magnet wristband that doubles as a reusable kitchen “to do” list. Which of the four catch the eye of Billy n Sully? NONE OF THEM, NICE. NONE! WHile on their way to “InventBay” n Vegas, they looked through the videos and decided on NONE of them. They don’t seem optimistic about what theylll find at InventBay, either.

“We’re miners. We sift,” Billy Mays.

For every Dual Saw, there seems to be 20 products that don’t make sense. Like the pad you wear under your undergarment that helps filter flatulence. I’m impressed they kept the jokes to a minimum.

Billy n Sully meet the inventor of the “Fauslock,” a lock that goes around outdoor faucets. It won “Best New Invention” at InventBay and Billy n Sully still aren’t impressed.

“Just ’cause we don’t like it doesn’t mean it won’t sell 2 million at hardware stores,” Sully.

Then the last inventor comes in. He’s got what looks like a Forearm Forklift. They’re like suspenders with straps that help ou support stuff. THe picture has the inventor - who had suffered a herniated disc which prompted the idea - lifting a motorcycle with the straps.

Inventor: Ron Comerowski
Product: Hand Straps

Commercial break :11 after

Handy Straps works by proportioning the weight throughout the back.

Here comes the price point war.

“How much you sellin’?” Billy Mays.
“$60,” Ron Comerowski
“Stop….” Billy commands…”I don’t know if you’re getting it down to $19.99.”
“I don’t want it there,” Comeroski fires back.

“I don’t want to touch it if I can’t sell millions and I hope you can respect my passion for it,” Billy Mays.

Billy n Sully take it back to Tampa to decide.

Awesome Auger video shoot update time.

Tom Matasko - Tom met Billy in the 1970’s back in the Ohio flea markets. Matasko was a pitchmen who learned it from his father. The pitched the flea markets. His success allowed him to buy a plan until her crashed it in 1996 when flying to do a show with his father. The accident put him into a coma for mounts. Matasko didn’t know he lost his legs for “six months.” His right hand still has nerve damage.

According to “PitchMen,” Matasko was watching an old gardener in the garden next door while hanging at his Dad’s house. One thing lead to another.

Watching the video you can see that Billy truly enjoys shooting the video for Matasko.

Comemrcial break :21 after

During the Awesome Auger shoot, the director goes, “Is that the ShamWow?” Wow.

Oh, wait, so you’re the one that hasn’t heard of ShamWOW? Here’s how Billy describes ShamWOW and its PitchMen, Vince Offer…
“I have ZorBeez. He came along and knocked ME off.”

“Can we get a ShamWow on the set?” Billy’s ready to work now! Billy n the director really get along well.

Matasko n Billy want to keep sales growing so Matasko will have funds to complete other like inventions. These guys get along so well with the shoot that they’re done by noon.

Commercial break :31 after

With Awesome Auger shoot wrapped up, Billy n Sully decide on Hand Straps. Billy n Sully test it with the crew.

“I think I’ve seen one of these hanging from the ceiling once,” wow, family show here, buddy.

Overall, the crew seems to have mixed results. Billy’s arguing how it could help those who couldn’t use their arms. It sounds like he might have Matasko on his mind. Good guy thoughts.

The price point is also throwing the crew for a loop. Any price point would take a 30 minute infomercial like Dual Saw.

Looks like Billy n Sully are having trouble deciding about Handy Straps.

Commercial break :40 after

Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan have decided on Handy Straps…they don’t want to sell it for over $20 and pass. Ron’s willing to change the price down to $39.99. Billy n Sully don’t want to dance. They want to sell products that will be better for the economy.

Billy n Sully get to do another reshoot: iCan Health Insurance. Billy is passionate about the product because of all the people who are uninsured. The whole Mays family is on the set.

Billy admits to being on the road alot and not being with his family, “You age 10 years in 5…my life started at 40.” Having meet the guy before, Billy Mays is sincere in being grateful for what he’s earned and for his family. Oh yeah, his song is on twitter: @youngbillymays.

He’s wearing a suit coat over his blue denim shirt. Nice.

The shoot is loaded with copy. Billy’s not even completely shouting either. Billy n have a Sully on whether Billy can get through a whole mountain of copy in one take. Ooooh, Billy goes to town.

Commercial break :51 after

iCan shoot wraps out. Another great wrap.

Now they’re A/B testing the old Awesome Auger video against the new Awesome Auger video. If the Auger keeps selling, Matasko can have the capital to develop products.

The results: the new video is dominating the old video and selling like a dream. If the new campaign sells close to the old campaign, then there’s another $10,000,000.00 in revenue with which to invent.

I look forward to seeing more Tom Matasko products coming out.

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Check back here next week for another LiveBlog of PitchMen.

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