Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials are also known as paid programming (or teleshopping in Europe). This phenomenon started in the United States where infomercials were typically shown overnight (usually 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.), outside of prime time commercial broadcasting peak hours. Some television stations chose to air infomercials as an alternative to the former practice of sign-off. By 2009, most US infomercial spending is during early morning, daytime, and evening hours. Stations in most countries around the world have instituted similar media structures. According to tapebeat.com, over $150 billion of consumer products in the US are sold through infomercials.

While the term "infomercial" was originally applied only to television advertising, it is now sometimes used to refer to any presentation (often on video) which presents a significant amount of information in an actual, or perceived, attempt to promote a point of view. When used this way, the term may be meant to carry an implication that the party making the communication is exaggerating truths or hiding important facts. Often, it is unclear whether the actual presentation fits this definition because the term is used in an attempt to discredit the presentation. Hence, political speeches may be derogatorily referred to as "infomercials" for a specific point of view.

Rebel Wilson is an Australian actress, writer, and stand-up comedienne, known for her roles in the television series Pizza and Bogan Pride and the film Bridesmaids.

"Rebel" is her real given name. Wilson was born and raised in Sydney with her three siblings, Liberty, Ryot and Annachi. Liberty and Ryot were on the first season of The Amazing Race Australia. Her parents were professional dog showers. Throughout high school Wilson's first career choice was mathematics. Wilson told The Sydney Morning Herald, "I was very academic at high school and was always good with numbers." Wilson attended the University of New South Wales, where she studied Law and Arts (Theatre and Performance Studies). She is a former Rotary International Youth Ambassador for Australia and was based in South Africa for one year, where she contracted malaria. Wilson had hallucinations in which she saw herself as an actress who had won an Oscar. This then convinced her to pursue an acting career.

In July 2011, Wilson became a spokesperson for weight loss and nutrition company Jenny Craig in Australia. In January 2012, Wilson revealed to James Wigney and Elle Halliwell of The Daily Telegraph that she had lost 10kg since signing up to the program. She also revealed the producers of Pitch Perfect had refused to let her lose any more weight during filming, as her contract stated she must stay the same size. Wilson said once her film commitments were over, she would start her diet again to reach her target weight of 80kg.

Cathy Mitchell is a California politician and a member of the Democratic Party. She served as Secretary of State during the month of March in 2005. She was automatically elevated to the position when Kevin Shelley resigned the post, and served until the Governor's nomination of Bruce McPherson was confirmed in the California State Legislature.

Ms. Mitchell, is a veteran Secretary of State employee. She came to the office in 1981. She has most recently served as Undersecretary, having stepped into the role days before the November 2004 Presidential election. Formerly, she was the Chief of the Business Programs Division, the largest program within the agency.

Ms. Mitchell has held many positions within the office, including stints at the Archives, the press office, and ten years in the elections field. Although she also served as Deputy Chief during her tenure in the Elections Division, Ms. Mitchell’s field of expertise is California’s initiative and ballot measure processes.

Ms. Mitchell has a long association with the The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts and the State Archives. She currently serves on the board of trustees of the museum. She has a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento, and is a registered Democrat. Ms. Mitchell is a founding member of the Sacramento Women’s Action Network (SWAN), a group of women in the area who provide financial and other support to local charities. She lives in Sacramento with her husband, Terry.