Back in Time Today
Before online shopping, if you wanted a bizarre product, you had to call a 1-800 number and wait 6-8 weeks for delivery. Late-night TV in the 1970s was filled with over-the-top infomercials, outrageous “As Seen on TV” products, and jingles that got stuck in your head forever.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 20 of the most unforgettable late-night TV ads of the 70s.
1. The Ronco Pocket Fisherman
The Ronco Pocket Fisherman
Tagline: “The biggest fishing invention since the hook!”
Ron Popeil, the king of late-night infomercials, introduced the Pocket Fisherman, a tiny, foldable fishing rod that was supposed to fit in your pocket (even though it barely did).
Did anyone actually catch a fish with this thing?
2. Ginsu Knives
Ginsu Knives
Tagline: “It slices, it dices… it even cuts through a CAN!”
Nothing screams late-night infomercial magic like the Ginsu knife ads. These commercials made us believe that a knife that could cut a tin can in half could somehow still slice a tomato paper-thin.
Be honest: Did your family buy a set?
3. Chia Pet
Chia Pet
Tagline: “Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!”
Debuting in 1977, Chia Pets were one of the strangest “gardening” crazes ever. You simply spread seeds over a clay animal, watered it, and watched it sprout “hair.”
Did anyone’s Chia Pet actually survive longer than a few weeks?
4. Ronco Veg-O-Matic
Ronco Veg-O-Matic
Tagline: “It slices! It dices! It makes mounds of fries in seconds!”
Another Ronco classic, the Veg-O-Matic promised to turn home cooking into a breeze. The ad showed it making perfect fries, slices, and cubes—but in reality, you’d end up with a huge mess in your kitchen.
Who else remembers their mom having one of these?
5. K-Tel’s Greatest Hits Compilation Albums
K-Tel’s Greatest Hits Compilation Albums
Tagline: “All the hits… on ONE record… for just $9.99!”
K-Tel was the original Spotify playlist—except instead of a shuffle button, you got a vinyl record with 20 songs crammed into 15 minutes. These commercials blasted previews of the songs at lightning speed.
Which K-Tel album do you remember the most?
6. Ronco Glass Froster
Ronco Glass Froster
Tagline: “Frost any glass in seconds!”
Because chilled beer mugs were apparently a necessity in the 70s, Ronco introduced the Glass Froster. The ad made it look magical, but in reality, it just sprayed CO2 gas onto the glass—and wasn’t exactly practical.
Did anyone actually own one of these?
7. Sea Monkeys
Sea Monkeys
Tagline: “Watch them come to life!”
The biggest scam in late-night ad history? Probably. The commercials made it look like tiny underwater creatures would swim around like a happy little family. What you really got? Brine shrimp.
Did you fall for this one as a kid?
8. The Inside-the-Shell Egg Scrambler
The Inside-the-Shell Egg Scrambler
Tagline: “No more messy egg whites and yolks!”
Another Ronco masterpiece, this device was meant to scramble an egg inside its shell before cracking. Because apparently, stirring eggs with a fork was too much work.
Was this the most useless kitchen gadget ever?
9. Charles Atlas Workout Program
Charles Atlas Workout Program
Tagline: “The insult that made a man out of Mac!”
If you ever read comic books in the 70s, you saw these ads. The legendary Charles Atlas promised to turn scrawny guys into muscle-bound champions. The workouts were simple, but the ads were legendary.
Did anyone actually order the program?
10. Polident Denture Grip
Polident Denture Grip
Tagline: “Strong enough to last all day!”
Before the days of fancy adhesives, denture commercials were terrifyingly dramatic. They always showed horrific scenarios where someone’s teeth fell out at the worst moment—until Polident saved the day.
Do you remember these hilarious commercials?
11. Miracle Bamboo Steamer
Miracle Bamboo Steamer
This odd gadget promised perfectly steamed food every time—but who actually needed it?
In an era when convenience took precedence, the Miracle Bamboo Steamer found its way into kitchens through late-night allure. Promising unparalleled results, the steamer was marketed as essential for anyone keen on mastering steamed culinary delights.
Yet, despite its vivid promises, it often collected more dust than accolades.
12. Mood Rings
Mood Rings
These rings “changed color” based on your emotions… or just body heat.
Enter the psychedelic world of mood rings, a 1970s sensation that promised to reflect your inner feelings through color. Marketed as the ultimate personal accessory, these rings were said to change hues in response to emotions.
In reality, they reacted more to body temperature than mood shifts, but their allure remained undeniable.
13. Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo
Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo
Before today’s “natural beauty” movement, there was this flowery 70s shampoo ad.
Immerse yourself in the floral embrace of Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo. This product heralded the dawn of nature-inspired personal care, captivating audiences with its promise of botanical bliss.
Its infomercials, laden with vibrant imagery and catchy jingles, left an indelible mark on 70s television.
14. Popeil’s Mr. Microphone
Popeil’s Mr. Microphone
A handheld microphone that turned your radio into a karaoke machine.
“Hey, good looking, we’ll be back to pick you up later!” So went the unforgettable pitch of Mr. Microphone, a 70s gadget sensation. Marketed as the ultimate fun tool, it allowed users to broadcast their voices over FM radios.
Though sound quality was often dubious, the novelty factor was off the charts.
15. The Flowbee Haircutter
The Flowbee Haircutter
A vacuum-powered hair-cutting device that somehow became a thing.
Enter the curious world of the Flowbee, where haircuts met household chores. This vacuum-powered device promised perfect trims without ever leaving home, appealing to the DIY spirit of the era.
Though often met with skepticism, its peculiar charm and practicality ensured its place in infomercial history.
16. The ThighMaster (Prototype)
The ThighMaster (Prototype)
Before the 80s workout boom, there were strange, thigh-squeezing gadgets.
Explore the origins of the ThighMaster, a fitness oddity that foreshadowed the workout crazes of the 80s. This prototype promised toned thighs with minimal effort, capturing the imagination of fitness enthusiasts.
Though its efficacy was often debated, its quirky appeal was undeniable.
17. Magic Rocks
Magic Rocks
Drop these into water and watch them grow! Were they cool or just a scam?
Magic Rocks brought the thrill of chemistry to living rooms, dazzling viewers with vibrant crystal formations. These ads promised a whimsical underwater landscape, complete with colorful growths.
Yet, the allure often faded as quickly as the initial excitement, leaving uncertain awe.