We were also sad to learn Ed McMahon died.
Among the most shocking of this week's four celebrity deaths was that of Billy Mays. If a person could look like a city, he looked like Pittsburgh -- or a grizzly bear gay porn actor. Either way, Billy was interesting. Here is a story we ran last Nov. 10, just after the election. RIP, Billy.
Posted: Every two minutes, on every channel, for every product imaginable
DUNEDIN, Fla. -- TV pitchman Billy Mays, known just as much for his obviously dyed hair and beard as for his voice that has irritated millions into buying his useless products, has begun lobbying President-Elect Barack Obama for a position in his cabinet -- and for a position for his wireless LED light underneath the cabinet in the White House kitchen.
Mays, a pitch man for everything from home cleaning products to health insurance -- yes, health insurance! -- says he is the perfect man to pitch Obama's agenda to the rest of the world, including Americans here at home.
"Hi, Billy Mays here for Billy Mays, the incredible potential Secretary of State in a new Democratic administration!" he screamed in a YouTube video e-mailed to the Illinois senator's transition team. "Get troops out of Iraq with just a dab of leadership!" Mays shouted. "And if you call now, we'll send extra troops to Afghanistan!"
Obama phoned Mays at 1-800-221-8000 and thanked him for the generous offer of service, but gently reminded him that the era of loud, one-way negotiation, forcing things on people that they don't want, is finally over. Obama then bought 12 LED lights.
