# Shopping channel snark **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226 "2014-12-03T14:59:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Taint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@Beauty\_Taint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Taint)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/221 "2014-12-04T21:28:21Z")
> [@kittygirl](#): > > That’s what I do. Drive by. Check during commercials. There’s always plenty of good material. Even a few seconds of some of the hosts can be way tooooooo loooonnnngggggg!!! To wit…just did a Q drive by. Just in time to hear friggin’ Wheels say “I just can’t wait to get that in my mouth!” FFS, is there no limit to how skeevy he can sound? Never mind, I know the answer. CLICK. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/222 "2014-12-04T21:38:48Z")
I got started with the shopping channels waaaay back in the early days. When my 2nd son was a baby and I’d be feeding him or trying to rock him back to sleep during the overnight hours, the drone of the tv sales hosts was as good as a sleeping pill. So of course, I watched too. I never really developed a ‘habit’, but would check in from time to time and still do. Sometimes it can be fun (ie the ‘slumber parties’ on HSN with host Colleen Lopez and Suzanne Sommers years back, or a train wreck that you can’t rip your eyes away from (former QVC host Patti Reilly’s spiral into something that was either a breakdown or insanity, I was never sure which). In any case, it’s a strange and unusual world that continues to fascinate or frustrate - sometimes both at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Friedbaloney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@Friedbaloney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Friedbaloney)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/223 "2014-12-04T21:57:46Z")
I tend to keep the shopping channels on just as background noise too. I’ve got a short attention span and I can’t really give my full attention to anything on TV other than my favorite shows, like Downton Abbey. Most of the time when I buy something, it’s online from the websites rather than live presentations. ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Taint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@Beauty\_Taint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Taint)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/224 "2014-12-04T22:15:26Z")
> [@Friedbaloney](#): > > I tend to keep the shopping channels on just as background noise too. I’ve got a short attention span and I can’t really give my full attention to anything on TV other than my favorite shows, like Downton Abbey. > > Most of the time when I buy something, it’s online from the websites rather than live presentations. Yes, despite the often inept marketing, they can be an excellent resource to inspire ideas for shopping…somewhere else. Lol I can’t count the number of times they’ve given me an idea for something I might need or want, and off I go to a B&M store or elsewhere dot com to find it bigger, better and/or cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/225 "2014-12-04T22:28:23Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > It is beyond strange to a thread on the board I’ve been a member of for such a long time and not get any of the in-jokes and references! > > I feel like I’ve stepped into a parallel SDMB. > > None of you are wearing “evil-Spock” goatees, are you? > > 😃 I know, it _is_ strange, isn’t it? Interesting, though. They seem nice and reasonably well-spoken (and yes we can use cuss words here, just not the C-word.) Isn’t Shopping Channel watching sort of an expensive hobby? Or do most of you new folks watch it for the entertainment value primarily, and shopping incidentally? I should add that I have never in my life intentionally watched a single second of shopping shows, and find the concept alien but suddenly weirdly compelling. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![famousblueraincoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@famousblueraincoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/famousblueraincoat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/226 "2014-12-04T22:40:06Z")
I am here too! Thanks for letting me know you guys! 🙂 What happened over there, i missed it all ?? Also, they are a little censorship crazy, Calm down! And does the world really need another GILI Moto jacket? ---
**Author:** ![Fleurlelisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/35a633/32.png) [@Fleurlelisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fleurlelisa)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/227 "2014-12-04T22:40:57Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I know, it _is_ strange, isn’t it? Interesting, though. They seem nice and reasonably well-spoken (and yes we can use cuss words here, just not the C-word.) > > Isn’t Shopping Channel watching sort of an expensive hobby? Or do most of you new folks watch it for the entertainment value primarily, and shopping incidentally? > > I should add that I have never in my life intentionally watched a single second of shopping shows, and find the concept alien but suddenly weirdly compelling. 😃 I just watch for snark moments. Shawnie poo-poo, the Dutchess are my two favorite to watch. Sometimes there are WTF moments and I have to rewind the show and listen again. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/228 "2014-12-04T22:48:16Z")
Chiroptera, I think you’ll find there are 3 types of people when it comes to shopping channels: those who are the die hard fanatics who slavishly purchase multiples of everything offered (you’ll see evidence of these folks on such shows as Hoarding:Buried Alive, where the hoarder usually has multiple HSN and QVC packages, often unopened, stacked from floor to ceiling); those like us who enjoy it for the entertainment and sarcasm value (we don’t mean any of those folks ill, we just enjoy poking fun at them, their employers and the whole shopping channel world. We do buy things occasionally, but not slavishly by any means); and finally, those who may be aware that shopping channels exist, but have no interest in watching them or purchasing from them. Feel free to chime in, anyone, if you think I’ve left out a group. ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Taint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@Beauty\_Taint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Taint)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/229 "2014-12-04T22:50:52Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I know, it _is_ strange, isn’t it? Interesting, though. They seem nice and reasonably well-spoken (and yes we can use cuss words here, just not the C-word.) > > Isn’t Shopping Channel watching sort of an expensive hobby? Or do most of you new folks watch it for the entertainment value primarily, and shopping incidentally? > > I should add that I have never in my life intentionally watched a single second of shopping shows, and find the concept alien but suddenly weirdly compelling. 😃 😃 Good to know about the swearing. I like to let one loose once in a while, gosh darn it! Primarily entertainment value for me. Although _why_ I find rolling my eyes at cheesy salespeople and inept marketing techniques “entertaining”, I’m not sure I’ll ever know. “Weirdly compelling” is actually pretty spot on, though. So JOIINNNN USSSS! JOOOOIIINN USSSS! > [@famousblueraincoat](#): > > I am here too! Thanks for letting me know you guys! 🙂 > > What happened over there, i missed it all ?? Also, they are a little censorship crazy, Calm down! > > And does the world really need another GILI Moto jacket? Yay famous! Not really sure myself. Seems like here, we’re considered tame little pussycats, over there, we’re somehow dangerous rebels without a clue. 😕 I’m waiting for a Giggly in XXXXXXXXXXXXS, myself. To wear as a hat. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LauraPalmer72](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LauraPalmer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LauraPalmer72)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/230 "2014-12-04T22:53:37Z")
Eww and omg at Bobby Chez’s pants o\_O ---
**Author:** ![famousblueraincoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@famousblueraincoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/famousblueraincoat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/231 "2014-12-04T23:01:41Z")
Thanks for letting me know about this Beauty Taint! And thanks for the set up Honey They opened up the PTV, but … ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/232 "2014-12-04T23:03:59Z")
Not a lot of traffic over at ye olde site, is there? ---
**Author:** ![Coffeecup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Coffeecup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coffeecup)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/233 "2014-12-04T23:30:36Z")
Yeah, I noticed that the PTV mods caved and reopened the shopping channels thread. Guess they noticed a sharp drop in visitor traffic. I didn’t understand all the stern warnings (in the mod’s post) about not digitally stalking the hosts by posting their addresses and map directions to their homes and workplaces. WTF was that all about? I didn’t check that thread every day, but to the best of my knowledge, nobody ever posted any addresses and maps. I can see the mod’s point about differentiating between the host as a TV personality and as a private person. Sure, when you’re on camera, it may not be the way you really are. (You can verify that by watching any reality show; they’re all scripted and embellished.) However, so many of these TV hosts are sharing details about their private lives that we can’t miss it. They are willingly violating their own privacy. I don’t think that QVC or other shopping channel management is forcing any host to reveal details they would rather keep private. For example, Lisa said that the two things you will never find at her house are a man and a pet. Okay, were we all just supposed to ignore something intriguing like that? Shawn says all sorts of stuff about herself, her husband (including the way he farts), her stepchildren and her siblings. Plus she cries on air about her life when selling her “Hear My Soul Speak” jewelry. She took time off for maternity leave, miscarried the baby, announced that she would appreciate it if no one talked about it, then promptly started talking about it herself. Ignore all that too? What about Jane the Elf, who tells endless stories about her ancestors, her former ballet career and her daughter’s ballet career? Are we supposed to forget we heard all that stuff and never comment on it, when the hosts obviously wanted the public to know? The mods also backpedaled on the new rule about not discussing former hosts. Now it’s okay to talk about them again. But who wants to take the risk of stirring up the Lisa hornet nest and getting the thread locked again? We can talk about her right here, and if QVC and her fans don’t like it, tough biscuits. I will continue posting on PTV about shopping trivia, but I no longer trust the mods there and I will self-edit my comments. They can lock the shopping channels thread again; they’ve already done it three times now. It’s overkill. On most forums, the mods would just delete the posts that violated the TOS, ban the repeat offenders, and leave the rest of the thread open. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/234 "2014-12-04T23:45:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So how many hours a day do you watch those shopping channels? > > (FYI, my only exposure to them comes from the clips shown on The Soup.) In my case, I rarely ever sit and just watch. I usually have QVC on in the background, when I’m online or working around the house. I have ordered one thing in the past 10 years. They hate customers like me. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/235 "2014-12-04T23:52:45Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > It is beyond strange to a thread on the board I’ve been a member of for such a long time and not get any of the in-jokes and references! > > I feel like I’ve stepped into a parallel SDMB. > > None of you are wearing “evil-Spock” goatees, are you? > > 😃 It feels really weird for me, being a member here for 12 years, and having my “other” family posting here alongside dopers I’ve seen for years. ---
**Author:** ![famousblueraincoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@famousblueraincoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/famousblueraincoat)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/236 "2014-12-04T23:57:05Z")
Brava Coffeecup! Srsly, the mods on the other forum are overkill, if people discuss their personal lives on air in front of supposed millions, why do the mods feel they are suddenly protecting privacy, nah, that is BS. their censorship seems "off "to me, and the ads throughout the page have everything to do with it. The mods dont give a rats ass, but their advertisers on that blog, i am sure do. By loosing OUR traffic, the advertisers are hurting more… oh wellz! ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/237 "2014-12-04T23:59:41Z")
> [@Beauty\_Taint](#): > > Yes, despite the often inept marketing, they can be an excellent resource to inspire ideas for shopping…somewhere else. Lol I can’t count the number of times they’ve given me an idea for something I might need or want, and off I go to a B&M store or elsewhere dot com to find it bigger, better and/or cheaper. Yup, I watch the demos sometimes and then search for it cheaper online and buy it where the shipping is free, ---
**Author:** ![Coffeecup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Coffeecup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coffeecup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/238 "2014-12-05T00:10:20Z")
Okay, incoming snark, everybody duck.😉 I love JTV, but they seriously got in my nerves last week. One of the female hosts (can’t remember who) was pushing some jewelry item and said something they all say, about how you should give jewelry as a gift because it is permanent, unlike flowers which shrivel up in a few days. Fine, I agreed with that. But then the host’s brain took a little vacation. She suggested that the next time someone dies, you could send the bereaved survivor jewelry instead of flowers. Wouldn’t that be just super? She’d be so touched, and remember your thoughtfulness, and enjoy her jewelry forever. Uh… Nooooooooo! Just send the flowers, or make her a casserole or something. Can you imagine looking in your jewelry box a few months after the funeral: “Oh goody! Here’s the chrome diopside ring my friend Sally sent me on the day my beloved husband was buried. I think I’ll wear it today!” Gag. ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Taint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7993a0/32.png) [@Beauty\_Taint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Taint)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/239 "2014-12-05T00:18:13Z")
That’s a relief. I thought you were going to say she suggested buying one to toss into the casket with dearly beloved. That’s probably next. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226/240 "2014-12-05T00:19:00Z")
Perhaps a glossary of nicknames and terms would be helpful to newcomers. I’ll start with some nicknames, and you guys can add some more. The Duchess - Lisa Robertson Wheels - Dan Wheeler Yum Yum - David Venable Officer Brown - Jayne Brown The Elf - Jane Treacy Shawnie Poo - Shawn Killinger Farmer Dan - Dan Hughes Saint Marybeth - Mary Beth Roe [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shopping-channel-snark/706226.md?page=13)