Welcome to the world of the TV “infomercial”, home to the Ped-Egg foot scraper, Doggy Steps for vertically challenged canines, and this season’s soar-away favourite, the Snuggie.

While US industrial giants such as General Motors struggle to shift their wares despite hot deals at zero interest rates, the bargain basement end of the consumer market, personified by the fast-patter salesmen who occupy much of the ad space on late-night cable television, is booming.