Infomercials (TV specials)

Infomercials
Genre
StarringVarious
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersKeith Crofford[a]
Mike Lazzo[b]
Walter Newman[b]
ProducersMelissa Warrenburg[c]
Ollie Green[d]
Mark Costa[e]
Paige Boudreaux[f]
Camera setupSingle camera
Running time5–22 minutes (15-30 min. with commercials)
Production companyWilliams Street
Original release
NetworkAdult Swim
ReleaseNovember 3, 2009 (2009-11-03) –
present
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Infomercials is an umbrella title for independent, quarter-hour television comedy specials airing on Adult Swim. Unlike actual paid programming, all of the programs are fictitious, and for the most part maintain no continuity with each other.

Most of the specials closely resemble & lampoon the format of infomercials, while others parody tropes in niche media such as closed-circuit hotel information channels, industrial films, sitcoms, outdated reality television formats, and public-access television. A number of the titles have a purposeful standard definition look and framing, to match a dated aesthetic. The specials typically air at 4 a.m. ET/PT.

There is no title card or common identifier for the specials, and on some program guide listings, it can be confused with an actual segment of paid programming; if there is a description, it is sometimes blank, with no season or episode numbers. Every title has a different look, as outside of the Williams Street production logos, there are no common directors, cast or crew between the specials, though some directors have returned.

One in particular, "Too Many Cooks", is notable for gathering media interest in November 2014. It contains a long-form introduction sequence common to 1980s and 1990s TV shows, except with a seemingly endless cast that continues to be introduced for 11 minutes straight.[1][2]

One infomercial, Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep, later led to the regular Adult Swim show Joe Pera Talks with You.


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  1. ^ Grinberg, Emanuella (November 10, 2014). "This weekend's trending video: 'Too Many Cooks'". No. Online. Turner Media. CNN. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. ^ Branch, Chris (14 November 2014). "'Too Many Cooks' Creator Dishes on Making the Viral Hit". Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 May 2016.