Billy Mays Found Dead In His Home

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

Seriously though, what a crappy week to lose four icons

Again, SERIOUSLY???? It's sad that the man's dead of course, but considering that many people turned the channel as soon as he came on their TV, I don't see how he could be considered an "icon."

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Again, SERIOUSLY???? It's sad that the man's dead of course, but considering that many people turned the channel as soon as he came on their TV, I don't see how he could be considered an "icon."

I think he is regarding tv commercials. Does anyone not know who he is? Or not seen atleast three or more of his commercials? I think for our current time period those will always be remembered like the "time to make the donuts" guy in the dunkin donuts commercials in the 80's.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

I think he is regarding tv commercials.

I don't think anyone whose primary fame comes from TV commercials merits the title of "icon." That includes Billy Mays, time to make the donuts guy, Clara Peller, Mr. Whipple and Betty Furness.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I don't think anyone whose primary fame comes from TV commercials merits the title of "icon." That includes Billy Mays, time to make the donuts guy, Clara Peller, Mr. Whipple and Betty Furness.

What about Ron Popeil?

[epchick]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I don't think anyone whose primary fame comes from TV commercials merits the title of "icon."

Maybe it depends on what you mean when you say "icon." Because although I wouldn't consider Billy Mays a celebrity or an icon like McMahon or even Jackson, I would say he was a Infomercial "icon." You didn't even have to know his name to know who he was....just a couple words "the OxiClean guy" and the lightbulb goes off in people's heads and they automatically know who.

Just like if you hear the words "set it......and forget it" you'd probably think of Ron Popeil and his products.

[knight_shadow]

TAMPA, Fla. – An autopsy report shows that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that suddenly killed TV pitchman Billy Mays in June, officials announced Friday.

The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office previously determined that the bearded, boisterous TV spokesman had a heart attack in his sleep. His wife found him unresponsive in bed in their Tampa condo June 28.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090807/.../us_billy_mays

[perfectinpurple]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

TAMPA, Fla. – An autopsy report shows that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that suddenly killed TV pitchman Billy Mays in June, officials announced Friday.

The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office previously determined that the bearded, boisterous TV spokesman had a heart attack in his sleep. His wife found him unresponsive in bed in their Tampa condo June 28.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090807/.../us_billy_mays

Oh wow. That's just crazy. I would have never pictured him as a drug user.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Again, SERIOUSLY???? It's sad that the man's dead of course, but considering that many people turned the channel as soon as he came on their TV, I don't see how he could be considered an "icon."

Haha, wow, you're pretty fired up about this. I see your point, although I'd stretch it a bit more and say that the only ones who passed away who were "icons" were Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson (while Farrah was famous, I wouldn't consider her an "icon").

Still though, Billy Mays was really famous, though I don't think anyone is equating his fame with that of Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I see your point, although I'd stretch it a bit more and say that the only ones who passed away who were "icons" were Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson (while Farrah was famous, I wouldn't consider her an "icon").

That's because you weren't an adolescent boy when "Charlie's Angels" was on TV.

If there is anything at all iconic for those of us who were, it's this:

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

That's because you weren't an adolescent boy when "Charlie's Angels" was on TV.

If there is anything at all iconic for those of us who were, it's this:

Haha, point taken - I'm not necessarily disputing her fame or notoriety...but I think if we're going to differentiate between "famous" and "icon," then that's a different story.