The Amish versus Doctor Who

RetroTV shows the oldest "Doctor Who" serials Sunday evenings. I never noticed before: William Hartnell's Doctor is a laughing fool, at least in the episodes tonight. A creepy, laughing fool. Keeping in mind that the actor was presented with a script and had to cope. But that laugh is a thing of nightmares.

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Also, RetroTV has the creepiest commercials.

One advertisement for disposable catheters shows a customer receiving home delivery in a box that's big enough to hold a litter of puppies. The company (I think it's the same company) promotes its catheters as fitting in your pocket; video shows a man putting one into his pants pocket. If you have to carry catheters with you, gentlemen, I wish you success in their use. And privacy.

Another commercial touts Amish Cleaning Tonic by Dutch Glow, for cleaning surfaces such as stoves, outdoor grills and so on. Also, there's Dutch Glow Amish Wood Milk.

So, people who eschew modern technology create chemical cleaners?

Before Christmas, it was impossible to avoid commercials and newspaper ads hocking Amish-style electric heaters. To fill all those electrical outlets every Amish building has in abundance?

"Amish" is a perfect word for marketers: short, familiar without specifics, and Christian.

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