Because Billy Mays is dead now too! Goddamn.

quote:

TBO.com staff Published: June 28, 2009 Updated: 16 min. ago TAMPA - Internationally known TV product pitchman Billy Mays was found dead this morning in his South Tampa home. Mays, 50, was found unresponsive by his wife, Tampa police said. Tampa Fire Rescue pronounced him dead at 7:45 a.m., at his residence at 2853 Bowen Daniel Drive. Mays' wife Deborah and their 3-year-old daughter were home when Mays was found dead, Tampa police Lt. Brian Dugan said. There were no signs of forced entry to the home that overlooks Old Tampa Bay, and no foul play is suspected, police said. "Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days," Deborah Mays said through police after asking them to handle all statements. "Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times." Billy Mays' energy and distinctive looks, with his ever-present grin framed by black hair and a beard, created a household image that Forbes magazine said accounted for more than $1 billion in combined sales with producer and partner Anthony Sullivan. Mays' and Sullivan's most recent venture was the Discovery channel realty series "Pitchmen," which launched in April. Mays was on board a US Airways flight from Philadelphia that landed safely at Tampa International Airport Saturday afternoon after the front tires on the plane blew out, resulting in bumps and bruises to some passengers. "Just had a close call landing In Tampa," Mays said on his Twitter page Saturday. "The tires blew out upon landing. Stuck in the plane on the runway. You can always count on US Air." It was not known how Mays might have been affected by the hard landing. "Anything we could say would be sheer speculation," Lt. Dugan said. Mays' body was taken to the county Medical Examiner's Office this morning. The autopsy is expected to be complete by Monday afternoon, police said. In a previous Twitter post, Mays said he was preparing for his third hip replacement in Tampa Monday. Mays was regarded as the "king of infomercials" and widely acknowledged as the most successful direct-response TV salesman in history. Mays was a native of McKees Rocks, Pa. He began his sales career after graduating from high school in 1977 by hawking a portable washing device along the boardwalk in Atlantic City. His prominence grew through promoting OxiClean, Orange Glo, Kaboom and other household products such as the Mighty Putty glue. In April, Mays and Sullivan, an Englishman who relocated to Tampa Bay and appeared on the Home Shopping Network, launched a new reality series, "Pitchmen," on the Discovery Channel. The program showed viewers new gadgets such as the Impact Gel shoe insert; the Tool Band-it, a magnetized armband that holds tools while you work; and the Soft Buns portable seat cushion. Mays' energy as a pitchman on the TV ads carried over from his energy that propelled his business career The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/ju.../news-breaking/