One side effect of consulting (probably actionable, now that I think about it) is the constant exposure to late-night television.  As most of this occurs in hotels where one has no control over the channels provided, one is at the mercy of the least expensive cable channels available.  The UN channel?  TV-Food?? C-Span AND C-Span 2???  That must be for those people who missed out on the red-hot action of the original C-Span.

Perhaps the most insidious of the many dubious offerings is the commercials (as separate and distinct from the infomercials, which really are in their own circle of hell).  So far this evening, I have been entreated variously to:
1)  Buy Elvis records and tapes -- The King may be dead, but his music lives on!  Through embarassingly bad audio transfers and stock footage, apparently.
2)  Use a particular type of deodorant -- The strong implication of this commercial is that the users of this product are constantly on the verge of a Roman orgy-type afternoon on the steps of an apartment building with no less than 5 variously-typed gorgeous women.  I'm not sure what this offers me (to be one of the women??), but I must admit that I'm beginning to wonder if it works.
3)  Try a new technology in leg shaving -- And it seems that it is only slightly more painful that having your leg ripped from its socket by a speeding train.  The mechanism bears a startling resemblance to a circular sander.  Just what I wanted in my bikini area, thanks.
4)  Give all my phone psychic business to the correct firm -- There are now negative phone psychic ads, similar to the more unpopular Senate races, only with slightly more dignity.  One group claims to have *real* psychics and give away 10 whole free minutes of time on your first call.  (Enough to learn all about your love life, finances, and so on.  Why you would then need to pay for time, I don't know.)  The other has taken the high road, by claiming that they are registered with the US government, and therefore are more legitimate.  How having an employer ID makes you a legitimate anything is beyond me, but I'm willing to bet that this campaign will work.  I know that I now plan to call the registered psychics first.
5)  Call my doctor to assist me with my insomnia -- What impresses me most about this campaign is how very cheap and targeted it must be.

While I attempt to make my purchasing decisions for the next week, I will leave you to more worthwhile pursuits.