The Bad Idea Catalog: 10 to 100% Off Everything You'll NEVER Wanted and NEVER Need! [Paperback]

Dave Markov (Author), Chris Bittler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

The Bad Idea Catalog is a rather strange parody featuring hundreds of fatally flawed products that you can't really buy because they don't really exist. Of course, when the items include Prescription Drug Grab Bag, Solar-Powered Umbrella, and Frictionless Shoes, it's probably just as well. There are hundreds of dangerous, ill-conceived, and just-plain-stupid products featured in this hilarious parody. A good (or bad) example is Inbred Kittens. The faux-catalog describes them as "hours of painful fun" and reminds the customer to "dispose of [them] in a responsible manner." And goodness knows what perils would await the real-life purchaser of Lava-in-a-Box. Of course, not all Bad Idea Catalog products are dangerous. Some are just plain stupid. Like the Vice Presidential Trading Cards. Or the Horse Shoes, which are leather wingtips for your favorite thoroughbred. Or the Static Electricity Toupee. Others would no doubt be successful products, if only they were possible. Like New Job Smell, which promises to give veteran employees the same false sense of optimism they had when they were new hires. "Phrases like 'competitive salary' and 'teamwork' will take on positive meanings," says the copy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A masterwork. -- Press Publications (Chicago)

My favorite is the Mens Pant. -- Bruce Wolf, Fox News in the Morning Chicago

Not "ha-ha" funny, but "ha-ha-ha-ha" funny! -- Bruce Wolf, Fox News in the Morning, WFLD-Chicago

So bad it's good. -- Chicago Reader

Where do you find these people? -- Nancy Pender (to Bruce Wolf) Fox News --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Perfect for failed inventors, funny people and their gift-giving friends! --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740738194
• ISBN-13: 978-0740738197
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,684,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Title Doesn't Lie!, March 22, 2004

By 

Jim Heale (Kirkland, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bad Idea Catalog: 10 to 100% Off Everything You'll NEVER Wanted and NEVER Need! (Paperback)

You'll appreciate these bad ideas best in short bursts so be sure you place the book where you'll most likely have "a few moments" to read. I found many of these bad ideas to be hilarious and I am convinced that the authors probably tried to invent a few of them for real, before someone sane stopped them. My favorite is the cat-odometer.

Here's an idea for the next catalog - a light switch that can stop in the middle so you don't have to work so hard balancing it to get your light to be half-on, half-off.

FUN BOOK

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Riot!, September 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bad Idea Catalog (Paperback)

I laughed till I cried! Chris and Dave have done it again!!!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is HILARIOUS!, September 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bad Idea Catalog (Paperback)

You will love this book! I wanted to send away for the Unwelcome Mat!