Free Republic

He told you to “Set it and forget it,” but the world will never forget Ron Popeil. Popeil, an inventor and the face of infomercials for “as-seen-on-TV” products like Showtime Rotisserie and Pocket Fisherman, has died. He was 86. His family told TMZ that Popeil had a medical emergency on Tuesday and died Wednesday morning surrounded by family at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Popeil was best known for the “Set it and forget it” catchphrase used to sell Showtime Rotisserie in late-night infomercials. Long before air fryers became the kitchen appliance du jour, the countertop rotisserie appliance took the...

LOS ANGELES — Veg-O-Matic king Ron Popeil used to love to say, "But wait, there's more!" But only barely, it turns out, at least in regard to the company he founded. Ronco Corp., based in Simi Valley has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, declaring it has $32.7 million in debts and $13.9 million in assets. Popeil, 72, an irrepressible pitchman who used infomercials to sell products such as the Pocket Fisherman, Showtime Rotisserie and GLH spray-on hair, is the largest creditor. Two years ago, he sold Ronco, the company he founded in 1958. The price was about $55 million...