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Billy Mays,
as we remember him


Discovery airs a marathon of the series 'Pitchmen'

Jul 1, 2009

Discovery Channel had planned a 12-episode marathon of the show “Pitchmen” for today, culminating in the 10 p.m. first-season finale, long before co-star Billy Mays died over the weekend.

The network decided to stick with its plans, promising to pay tribute to the famed direct response salesman with a tasteful tribute airing during the finale and never-before-seen footage of Mays running throughout the day.

Mays, of course, died suddenly Sunday at his home in Tampa, Fla. The 50-year-old had heart disease.

Many of the companies for whom Mays pitched products, such as OxiClean and ESPN360, have pulled his ads from the air in deference to Mays’ family.

“Pitchmen” focused on Mays and business partner Anthony Sullivan, and it’s not yet clear whether the show will go on without Mays, perhaps the best-known direct response pitchman in the business.

The show had performed fairly well for Discovery, averaging 1.45 million total viewers Wednesdays at 10 p.m., up 40 percent over what the network averaged last year in the timeslot.

Unless viewers are turned off by the appearance of opportunism on Discovery’s behalf, tonight’s finale should perform even better as Mays’ death has received a huge amount of attention online. Yesterday “Billy Mays funeral” ranked fifth on Google’s list of most popular queries.

Today’s Discovery marathon begins at 11 a.m.

 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

Fox

“So You Think You Can Dance” (R)

The final 14 endure another round of competition.

8 p.m.

ABC

“Wipeout” (G)

Spiked Fenders and Spinning Triangles make appearances tonight.

8 p.m.

ESPN

“Major League Baseball” (S)

The Giants face the Cards in St. Louis.

9 p.m.

NBC

“America’s Got Talent” (R)

Another round of early auditions.

9 p.m.

BBC America

“Gordon Ramsay’s F Word” (R)

Ramsay takes on comedian Ben Miller in a bake-off.

9 p.m.

Showtime

“Nurse Jackie” (C)

A repeat from Monday: Jackie’s daughter might need anti-anxiety medication.

10 p.m.

Bravo

“Fashion Show” (R)

The designers make robes and loungewear.

THURSDAY, JULY 2

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

ABC

“Samantha Who?” (C)

Sam thinks she may have cost Todd his career as a photographer. Less worrisome now that they’ve both lost their careers, the show being canceled and all.

9 p.m.

Fox

“So You Think You Can Dance” (R)

The field is trimmed to 12 after tonight’s elimination.

9 p.m.

TV Land

“She’s Got the Look” (R)

After assessing their wardrobes, the women go on a shopping trip.

10 p.m.

NBC

“The Listener” (D)

Toby helps a woman find her brother’s killer.

10 p.m.

MTV

“16 and Pregnant” (R)

A teen who wants to join the Air Force instead becomes pregnant.

10 p.m.

Showtime

“Penn & Teller: Bull!” (C)

The duo looks at the idea of destiny.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 a.m.

NBC

“Today” (N)

Musician Rob Thomas performs.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (G)

Eating champion Joey Chestnut is a contestant.

9 p.m.

Travel Channel

“Ghost Adventures” (R)

The crew looks for ghosts at the Bird Cage Theater in Arizona.

9 p.m.

TV Land

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” (M)

The 1983 comedy classic starring Chevy Chase.

10 p.m.

MTV

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (M)

Remember when these special effects were cutting edge and Ah-nold was an actor, not a governator?

10 p.m.

WE

“Bridezillas” (R)

A woman has a panic attack when she tries on her gown.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Time

Network

Program

Description

9 a.m.

NBC

“Tennis” (S)

The women’s final at Wimbledon.

3 p.m.

CBS

“PGA Golf” (S)

Coverage of the third round of the AT&T National.

4 p.m.

Fox

“Major League Baseball” (S)

Another weekend of regional interleague games.

8 p.m.

Fox

“Cops” (R)

Cops in Florida take part in a high-speed chase that results in injuries.

8 p.m.

Cartoon Network

“Brainrush” (G)

Contestants answer trivia questions while riding amusement park rides.

9 p.m.

Fox Soccer Channel, Telefutura

“Soccer” (S)

The U.S. takes on Grenada in Gold Cup group play.

SUNDAY, JULY 5

Time

Network

Program

Description

9 a.m.

NBC

“Tennis” (S)

More coverage from Wimbledon, this time the men’s final.

3 p.m.

CBS

“PGA Golf” (S)

Final round of the AT&T National, won last year by Anthony Kim.

8 p.m.

NBC

“Merlin” (D)

Lancelot shows up to save Merlin from a winged creature. (Bird? Dragon? Time-traveling airplane?)

8 p.m.

ESPN

“Major League Baseball” (S)

The Rays head to Arlington, Texas, to take on the Rangers.

9 p.m.

Univision

“Premios Deportes 2009” (A)

Sports awards show featuring tributes to Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez.

10 p.m.

E!

“Kendra” (R)

Kendra poses for a lingerie shoot while Hank’s home cleaning.

10 p.m.

Lifetime

“Army Wives” (D)

Roxy unsuccessfully tries to plan a reopening party for the bar.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.




Louisa Ada Seltzer is a staff writer for Media Life.




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