BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Hanging out with Ron Popeil, Television’s Greatest Pitchman

Two weeks ago, the man known widely regarded as the ultimate TV pitchman, Ron Popeil, passed away at the age of 86. Readers of a certain age will remember Popeil, and his iconic and sometimes wacky products, that included: Mr. Microphone, the Veg-O-Matic, and The Pocket Fisherman.

Many years ago while working on a new book, I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Ron, which goes down in memory as one of the most interesting few hours of my life. It’s unusual to meet someone that is exactly the character they…