Did Mad TV Cause the Quacker Factory to Change Its Styles?
August 7th, 2007 by Paul Lucas
Have you ever seen the Quacker Factory clothing sold on QVC? A rotund woman named Jeanne Bice (who sports headbands to sop up her flop sweat) founded the Quacker Factory and is thus culpable for the clothes, which are distinctive for being absolutely hideous. Covered in sequins, festooned in rhinestones, and plastered with multi-colored cartoon characters, these clothes look like someone dumped the craft box of a kindergarten class on them.
To further add to the absurdity of the Quacker Factory is the fact that the customers for these garish clothes are fat old ladies (not unlike founder Jeanne Bice)—who apparently desire to bring maximum attention to their girth.
Having gasped in horror at these clothes for years, I decided to record the Quacker Factory segments on QVC. (I may be the only person who ever got a TiVo “Season Pass” for the “Quacker Factory with Jeanne Bice.”) But when I went to view what I recorded I was greatly disappointed.
The style of the Quacker Factory clothes has been toned down considerably. Whereas before we used to see a parade of clothes like this:
Now we get items with just modest embellishment, such as a tame band of sequins around the neckline or sleeves:
Why the dramatic change in style (at least in the clothes featured on QVC)?
The television program Mad TV has run several sketches lampooning the absurdity of the Quacker Factory clothing styles. (I tried looking for video of one of these sketches but couldn’t find anything online.) Could this mockery have influenced Jeanne Bice to tone down the amount of sparkly mess on her designs?
Update: Found these two MadTV Quacker Factory sketches:
I AM NOT GIRTHY IN FACT A TWIG AND I LOVE QUACKER FACTORY CLOTHING, YOU GOTTA GIVE THE WOMAN SOME CREDIT SHE IS MAKING A TON OF MONEY I WISH I COULD HAVE DONE WHAT SHE DID , SHEESH I USED TO WIEGH 534 SO QUIT PICKIN ON FAT PEOPLE AND I NOW WIEGH 118 AND WISH I WAS STILL FAT… BEING SKINNY IS NOT ALL IS IS QUACKED UP TO BE!
Comment by GEORGIA — August 8th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
No, I don’t think they’ve toned down everything, because these are pretty ridiculous. Oh, and her comments about Hannukah are too.
Comment by Sara — August 13th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I saw some of the Quacker lady’s items. I think they are appropriate for preschool teachers-cheerful and colorful. They can even be fun for a holiday or two but I can’t fathom wearing that stuff at any other time. And who wants to be caught in the same candy cane sweater EVERY Xmas. Her stuff seems only good for one or two uses and then it ends up on the online auction.
Comment by Mist Teri — August 13th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I like watching QVC, but I must admit Quacker Factory is really horrible. They still have stupid clothes, and she’s still using her religion to hawk this stuff.
Comment by Francois Tremblay — August 14th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
She obviously doesnt have any training in fashion design.
Comment by Jeanne Bice Eats Alpo — August 17th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
This is the official spokesperson for the North American Anti-Defamation League for Ducks. We hereby request that you and all your 400 pound gorilla friends stop referring to our species by using the name “Quackers”.
You are an insult to our cause, we merely wish to raise our family, fly all day, visit people’s swimming pools, and not have to be subjected to your defamation of character insults and slurs.
Comment by NAADLFD — August 17th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Wow. The success of another person really causes suffering for the failures out there. You claim to hate something but spend time recording and watching the entire season of shows?
Pal, you can glue sequins and pearls all over your attitude, but it still is mighty ugly.
Comment by Joan — August 27th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
Miss Bice may be garish and fat like some of her customers but I bet she laughs all the way to the bank! It takes all kinds to make the world go round and although I wouldnt wear some of her more festive shirts I also wouldnt be caught dead in something like Abercrombie and Fitch either so there you go!
Comment by Elizabeth Vosburgh — September 6th, 2007 at 12:06 am
I saw some clips a few months ago on YouTube but they must have been removed if there aren’t any out there now. The one I saw was real funny; I loved how the large/obses sizes sold out real fast and the small sizes weren’t getting sold and how the people modeling them were embarassed to be seen wearing them.
Comment by Bathroom On The Right — September 7th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
Man she fails it for giving in to the pressure.
Comment by Tyciol — February 1st, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Can you imagine getting up in the morning and deciding that wrapping a red towel around your dome was a good idea, in fact, that it would impress the audience which you hope to sell your product to?
Honestly, if you can, take that towel and try one of Jeanne’s more clever designs. Its called an “indoor scarf” and the knot’s a little tricky. Take the towel and roll it up as Jeanne does, and droop it over your head from behind with both ends hanging down onto your chest. Now tie, right over left, then left over right. Here comes the tricky part- in order to achieve the perfect knot you’re going to need help from your doorway. Stand on top of a chair next to an almost closed door and insert a loose end over the top of the door. Now kick the chair out from under yourself to achieve the perfect Jeanne Bice knot and be the envy of your friends.
Comment by Fun2 — April 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
QUACK! QUACK! YOU BIG FAT TRAIN WRECK.
Comment by Mallard Rice — May 31st, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I work at QVC…. and it is so true. We actually had her on today…The large sizes always sell out super fast…or we get women pissed off cause we dont have 5X’s… etc. The people that love her LOVE HER
Comment by NoneYaBusiness — October 29th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Dang, this is stuff is awful.
Just finished watching a segment on QVC.
Didn’t see anyone calling in about this over priced, over embellished line.
Feel sorry for the QVC host and models that have to try and sell this stuff.
Hope they’re paid well for lying..
Just my2cents.
Comment by ksty — November 8th, 2008 at 2:32 am
Let me add that I am in no way criticizing the ladies that love and wear this line well.
Also to say the ladies at QVC are lying is a little over the top. Meant to say it’s very hard to endorse an item that you’re not 100% about.
Comment by ksty — November 8th, 2008 at 2:41 am
I say- “whatever floats your boat”. I am a size 6 and do have a couple of her “milder” items. The lady is making money and making a certain population happy; so—- what the heck.
Comment by JEM — November 8th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Oh, I just love the quacker items! I’m old an fat and I’ve been quaacking for years. lol. jk..she’s on QVC RIGHT NOT FOLKS!! Go see her. this is ridiculous. I am going to call in uner the name:
nancy fartburger
lol. listen for me!!
im going to act all excited about the bedazzled sweaters. haha. this lady is so gay…
Comment by meredith — November 19th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Wow, the older line of clothes were FUGLY! Still, it could be worse – they could be tube tops for fat old ladies. I’d like to see the designs that she thought were too ugly to add to her line of clothing.
Comment by Dennis — November 25th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Paul Lucas,
I know you do not believe this, but one day sooner than you think, you will be old (maybe not fat) your body parts may not work Mr. Sarcasm, and you will wonder where all your grandiose greatness went. Sometimes, people even become ill and their looks are ravaged even quicker. So, to you I say maybe you should knock it off a little, considering the karma you are throwing around about other people.
Comment by Lynn — January 25th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Jeanne Bice is a lovely, intelligent woman with a marvelous passion for life, people, humor and whimsical fashion. If you have nothing better to do than bash this lady, poor, poor, pitiful you. Quaack, Quaack, Quaack your attitude and for gracious sakes, lighten up!
I’m proud to wear Ms. Bice’s designs anywhere, any time.
Comment by Echo Wade — March 8th, 2009 at 12:28 am
I don’t like Quacker Factory clothes. I do think they are a little bit ridiculous. However, I have a friend who had shown me some models that actually look nice. No rhimestones, no cartoon characters. But, those are not the models the quack lady is known for.
Anyone have the right to say what they like or don’t like. As I said, her line of clothing is not my style.
Now, what I don’t understand is why this blogger feels the need to put so much emphasis in the weight issues. So, she is overweight, so, many of her clients are. You sound like a teenager…No, let me change that, an ignorant teenager.
Have a great day.
Comment by Luisandra — July 1st, 2009 at 10:18 am
Those of you who think her clothes are only for fat people, you haven’t watched her clothes sell out. The x-tra small and smalls sell out first. Lighten up people. What is wrong with a little bling in your life?
Comment by susan H — September 4th, 2009 at 8:37 am
I’d rather wear a sweater with duck $hi+ shot all over it.
Comment by Irving Berlyn — September 5th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Oh for fu*k’s sake, people are allowed to NOT like this overpriced garbage. Those telling others to “lighten up” should take their very own advise. The clothes suck, you have shi**y taste, deal with it.
Comment by Olivia — September 24th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Dont you think there are more things in life to discuss than Jeanne Brice. So she is making a load of money, thats what America is all about. If you would spend time coming up with your own line of clothing then you can judge some one else. Are you jealous of her sucess??? Get off you butt and do something besides make fun of fat people. More power to you Quacker Factory!!!!!
Comment by LOIS — September 29th, 2009 at 9:16 am
@ 25
“So she is making a load of money, thats what America is all about.”
My goodness, you have a nice set of values.
Comment by Canaduck — November 8th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
People watch her because she makes them feel good. She is not cornbread if you really listen she is pretty sharp. My son hates my QF clothes and practically dies when I wear them. Too bad my son and the others don’t get the idea and it would be useless to try to explain.
Comment by lottielo — January 7th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Guess there are not many people left who just like to have fun. That is one of the great aspects of getting older – you really don’t give a damn what other people think. Don’t like Quacker clothes – ok – your choice. Don’t buy any but leave the people alone who do enjoy a little fun. It amazes me that people are so judgemental about such little things !
Comment by Mandysmom — May 20th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Made in China by slave workers.
Comment by Frankie — July 25th, 2010 at 5:46 am
I LOVE Jeanne Bice. She is kind and expresses joy to everyone. Her clothes are a hoot!! They are colorful and bright and lots of fun. The clothes make you smile…thin or fat or in-between. Why all the hateful remarks? Goodness. Find love and charity in your heart.
Comment by Janice — September 20th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Jeanne’s husband dropped dead in front of her and left her to raise 2 children. She was almost penniless and built her empire from nothing! SMART lady!! If there wasn’t a market out there, the clothes wouldn’t sell. You’ve managed to stereotype her clothes, but they range from very ornate, to subtle and stylish. I buy her clothes because of the QUALITY! They are made well, wear and wash well and the price is great compared to other products of the same quality! If you’re going to criticize something, get ALL the facts right first!!!!
Comment by Ellie — November 4th, 2010 at 7:18 am
They do have the MadTV clips on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=madtv+quacker+factory&aq=fb I feel bad for her having been made fun of on such a personal level. As others have said, if people liked her designs and bought them, so be it.
Comment by Gardenwife — December 25th, 2010 at 8:18 am
What stupid people wasting time putting someone down no body is making you watch the show or buy anything.Crazy how someone fat you can say whatever you want.People don’t want to see fat p[eople on t.v.Some of her clothes i don’t like she has all kinds of different stuff.Why don’t the people judghing her spend your time doing something good none of us are perfect don’t like it don’t watch geow up.
Comment by patty — May 15th, 2011 at 12:32 am
RIP Jeanne Bice
Comment by Jason — June 11th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
after reaing this section I finally realized I was enjoying her cloths for years and got compliments on them wherever I go.gee all these years I was fat ugly and dumb never realized it. All people are not alike and believe me I DO enjoy her clothes very much and Im not stupid. they make you happy when sometimes the world isen’t such a nice place to be in, that’s all that it’s about not earth shattering.
Comment by christine serafin — June 12th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Christ this woman is fat. And her clothes are ugly. And the majority of these replies are (I’m almost certain) written by semi-literate, retarded pond-life.
Cue Donald Duck impression to play us out…
Comment by Underthebridge — October 23rd, 2011 at 8:57 am
I bet the majority of people who wear this stuff collect Precious Moments figurines and those trinkets you see in the Sunday coupons every week.
Comment by BOTR — January 15th, 2012 at 2:57 pm