So many things we loved during our childhoods are due to the few entertainment options we had to choose from during the 80’s and 90’s. Even if you had “cable TV”, you were still very limited in the programs you could choose from. This led to many interesting ways we would spend out television time, and this included infomercials.  For anyone who grew up in the glow of late-night TV during the 80s and 90s, the word “infomercials” will always bring a smile, a laugh, and maybe even a memory of reaching for the phone to dial that toll-free number.

Infomercials: A Television Phenomenon

When you think back to late-night, or non-primetime television in the 1980s and 1990s, one thing probably stands out almost as much as the reruns of sitcoms and action shows: infomercials. These long-form commercials weren’t just about selling products—they were cultural events, combining entertainment, persuasion, and a touch of absurdity. For many Gen Xers and even early Millennials, infomercials became part of our television experience, often airing when traditional programming ended. Infomercials changed the way Americans bought products and introduced unforgettable pitches that still echo today.

Infomercials gained traction in the early 1980s after deregulation of television advertising. Unlike standard 30-second ads, these programs could run for 15, 30, or even 60 minutes. This gave pitchmen and pitchwomen time to demonstrate products in detail, highlight testimonials, and create urgency with limited-time offers. The formula was simple but effective: engage the viewer, show an incredible solution to a common problem, and end with the familiar phrase, “But wait, there’s more!”

This format not only drove sales but also created a kind of late-night theater. Many people watched infomercials not necessarily to buy, but because the over-the-top demonstrations were fun, quirky, and oddly addictive. 

The George Foreman Grill: Knockout Success

Perhaps the most famous infomercial product of the 90s was the George Foreman Grill. Marketed as a way to “knock out the fat,” this small appliance promised healthier cooking without sacrificing flavor. And the infomercial “proved” it by showing us the fat and grease draining away from the food.

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman became the face of the product, charming viewers with his approachable personality. The grill’s slanted design, which moved the “bad stuff”  away from the food, was simple yet revolutionary. The infomercial showed sizzling burgers and perfectly grilled chicken breasts, convincing millions of households to add the grill to their kitchen counters. More than 100 million units were sold worldwide, making it one of the most successful infomercial products of all time. We registered for and received one for our wedding.

Fitness At Home Became A Thing

The Thighmaster

If the George Foreman Grill was about convenience in the kitchen, the Thighmaster was about convenience in fitness. In the early 90s, actress Suzanne Somers, from Three’s Company fame, became synonymous with a compact exercise device. The infomercials promised toned thighs and an easy workout you could do from the comfort of your living room.

With Somers’ upbeat personality and memorable demonstrations, the Thighmaster became a pop culture sensation. While fitness experts debated its effectiveness, millions of people purchased the device, making it one of the most iconic fitness products of the decade. Even today, the word “Thighmaster” instantly conjures up images of 90s workout culture and infomercial flair.

Bowflex: The Home Gym Revolution

Another giant in the infomercial fitness at home world was Bowflex. Unlike the Thighmaster, Bowflex targeted serious fitness enthusiasts who wanted a full-body workout at home. Its commercials highlighted sleek machines that used resistance rods instead of traditional weights.

The infomercials were aspirational, often showing fit models using the equipment and testimonials from everyday people who claimed dramatic transformations. By blending science, convenience, and the dream of a healthier body, Bowflex carved out a new market for home gyms. The brand’s success showed how infomercials could sell not just gadgets, but entire lifestyles.

Don Lapre: “The Greatest Vitamin in the World”

While products like the Foreman Grill and Thighmaster are remembered fondly, not every infomercial icon has a glowing legacy. Don Lapre, often remembered for his get-rich pitches in the 1990s, became famous for selling the dream of making money from home. He promoted everything from tiny classified ads to vitamins, claiming they could change your financial or physical health.

His infomercials often opened with a friendly, enthusiastic Lapre describing how “tiny little ads” made him millions. While he gained national attention, many of his ventures were controversial, with critics questioning the legitimacy of his claims. Nevertheless, his over-the-top delivery and memorable catchphrases made him a staple of late-night television.

“But wait, there’s more!” – Cultural Impact of Infomercials

You probably also remember:

• The O.G. Infomercial- Ginsu Knives
• The Flowbee
• Vitamix Blender
• Sweatin’ to the Oldies
• Juiceman Juicer
• OxiClean

Infomercials weren’t just about products—they reflected the hopes and insecurities of the times. In the 80s and 90s, convenience was prioritized more. People wanted easy solutions for cooking, fitness, and even financial success, and infomercials delivered exactly that. And they delivered it when “nothing else was on.”

They also introduced a new way of selling directly to consumers, bypassing traditional retail stores. This paved the way for today’s direct-to-consumer brands and online shopping culture. The techniques perfected by infomercials—demonstrations, testimonials, urgency—are still used in modern digital marketing, from YouTube ads to Instagram reels.

Though streaming services and online shopping have reduced the need for televised infomercials, their legacy is alive and well. The iconic products of the 80s and 90s still resonate, and many of those items—like the George Foreman Grill and Bowflex—remain in use today. Moreover, the style and tone of infomercials continue to inspire parody, nostalgia, and even new product pitches on digital platforms.