Infomercials (2009)

Directed by

Mike Lazzo, Keith Crofford

Genre

short film

Country

United States

Rated

TV-MA

Rating

7.7 of 10 from 3 voters

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

These are fake infomercials that parody real advertising and other dated TV formats. Each special is a separate comedy sketch with its own look and feel, often mimicking old TV shows.

parodicabsurdistnostalgicunsettlingdeadpanself-awareslow-burnretro

What happens

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 and 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while others parody tropes in niche media such as closed-circuit hotel information channels, industrial films, sitcoms, outdated reality television formats, and public-access television.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. One infomercial, Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep, later led to the regular Adult Swim show, Joe Pera Talks with You. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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• More like this film, on a shelf you can walk up to.It's the lit case on the top shelf.