I Pity the Fool Who Doesn’t Watch Mr. T Hosting the Flavor Wave Oven Turbo Infomercial
September 30th, 2008 Paul Lucas
I have at last seen the latest infomercial for the Flavor Wave Oven Turbo hosted by the one and only Mr. T, best known for his role on The A-Team. Joining Mr. T is veteran infomercial hostess Darla Haun, best known for getting dry humped by Tony Little.
Now, Mr. T has never been renowned for his acting prowess, but his stiff and awkward attempts to read cue cards on the Flavor Wave Oven infomercial makes his performance as B. A. Baracus look like Olivier’s Hamlet.
Here are six minutes of “highlights” from Mr. T:
The cheesy script repeatedly forces Mr. T to utter his old catch phrases from the A-Team and apply them to the FlavorWave Oven Turbo. Thus we have:
“I pity the fool that tries to get this down. I want to eat right now.”
“Now enough of this jibber jabber. It’s time for you to pick up the phone and order your very own FlavorWave Turbo Oven.”
“I pity the fool who would do that. Let me have a piece [of chocolate cake].”
And even:
“I love it when a plan comes together, Darla.”
Which as every A-Team fan knows wasn’t even Mr. T’s line on the show! “I love it when a plan comes together” was the signature line of A-Team ringleader Hannibal played by George Peppard, who won’t be appearing on an infomercial anytime soon.
Mr. T does, however, get some lines here which might become catchphrases all on their own including, “My taste buds is going wild” and “I love crisp, crunchy crust.” Mr. T also uses the expression “cool” on more than one occasion. (“This is the cook?…That’s cool!”) And for some reason Mr. T occasionally moves his forearms in a rhythmic back and forth, like he is anxious to start dancing. (Maybe he is remembering Darla Haun’s performance on the Tony Little infomercial.)
The Flavor Wave Oven isn’t content to steal lines from the A-Team. This embarrassing infomercial blatantly copies the famous Ron Popeil phrase for the Showtime Rotisserie, “Set It and Forget It,” with their own knock-off: “You Just Set It to Cook and You’re Off the Hook.” This is actually the second time the FlavorWave Oven has tried to rip off the Ron Popeil phrase with one of their own. On the infomercial for the Flavor Wave Oven Deluxe hosted by Jan Muller, they used the phrase, “Set It and Walk Away.”
Before he can deliver any humiliating dialogue, Mr. T makes a dramatic entrance by busting open a door. The studio audience greets this with an enthusiastic ovation. I personally never realized that Mr. T had such an eager fan base among 80-year-old women:
Mr. T does not wear his trademark gold chains during the demo with Darla Haun. But “for being such a super-duper good sport” Darla gives him a chain attached to a FlavorWave Oven logo. What a great way to restore the man’s dignity!
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For those who missed my earlier post, here is Mr. T in the intro to the Flavor Wave Oven Turbo infomercial:
LOL. What a nut! I love how they’re showing the “evil oil and grease” in a pan like it’s awful. I have this whole thing though where I like my food to taste good. Screw health food. Also I guess “moving the air” is such a new concept, wow.
Comment by TimNRA757 — September 30th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
that’s cool!
Comment by Joren — September 30th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
T’s dignity went out the window the minute he “Boxed” Rowdy Roddy Piper in Wrestlemania II. This doesn’t help repair the damage.
Comment by Kyle Varnell — October 1st, 2008 at 2:54 am
Mr. T!!! Pure genius. But you have to listen carefully to experience the true joy. For instance, he doesn’t actually say “…crisp, crunchy crust.” but actually “…cris, crunchy crus.” Hilariously awful. His acting has gotten worse. Much, much worse.
Comment by Peebo — October 1st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Mr T. gave up wearing the gold, according to wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._T#Personal_life
In 2005, Mr. T stated that he would never wear his chains again, “No, T, you can never wear your gold again. It’s an insult to God”. He arrived at this decision after seeing the effects of Hurricane Katrina. However, he has been seen wearing some chains for several commercial appearances, such as the 2007 U.K. and Ireland Snickers advertisement, and the 2007 World of Warcraft ad.
And now Flavor Wave!
Comment by Angela — October 7th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Just a few minutes ago, I was lucky enough to see this infomercial from the very beginning, for the first time. (I know, never watching this masterpiece from the beginning, will not look good on my CV, but I’m being honest.).
I was mesmerized by the view of Mr. T.’s bursting open the door (and then pitying the fools). However hesitant and embarrassed I may be to admit, I must confess that this infomercial has today replaced Klee Irwin’s (& Jim Chappell’s… sometimes I mistake him for Martin Scorsese, due to his fast talking) Dual Action Cleanse as my most favorite infomercial.
Comment by Znkp — January 25th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Why is this jewel on at 2am and not prime time I ask? Why may only the sleep forsaken benefit from such viewing?
This is probably the best thing I have seen since… since… I can’t even remember!
I am particularly happy with the close ups of an ecstatic audience, some of whom look like they are having a religious experience. Sing it Reverend! He even has some FlavorWave Oven Turbo gold bling.
The viewing of this info-mercial is truly an uplifting experience.
Comment by Jac McLaurin — February 5th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I watched this the other day and laughed my ask off. This is def. my favorite infomercial right now. Some poeple think we are here on earth to take knowledge with us to the next life and I feel damned prepared after watching this.
Comment by Chris — May 6th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Gotta love washed-up actors reduced to hocking junk at 3 am.
Comment by EMR — August 6th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Aldi have a knock off flavour-wave in Australia, but I’m loyal to Mr T - after all, my taste-buds is like WOW.
Comment by pam roy — June 4th, 2010 at 11:42 pm