As seen on t.v. - AGAIN!

Mikie and I had the tube on last night while fading off to sleep and something that came on jarred us both into vivid consciousness - a NEW, somewhat-slightly-similar-but-totally-and-completely-like-nothing-you've-ever-seen-before blanket hybrid product!

I think we all see the hilarity, and I'll admit it - the simple genius - in the one that started it all, the Snuggie.  The marketing folks over at the Snuggie factory seem to be running a low-mud-sling campaign against the common blanket and I can appreciate that: "...Blankets are OK, but they can slip and slide...".  The IBC idea-incubator has even discussed the idea of a Snuggie pub crawl, and with this weather lately, I wouldn't mock anyone wearing extra layers - especially smart ones with sleeves.   Apparently though, the very same crack team at Snuggie Inc. already beat us to that idea and is proudly suggesting it on their site...  Well, good for them. 

I couldn't believe my eyes, though, when a few months ago we were on a plane - I was thumbing through the in-flight magazine and came across this:

The Slanket.  Whaaaaaa!?!??!  And, these guys want $32.99 per Slanket!  In these difficult economic times, it would seem that the buy-one-Snuggie-get-one-free-for $19.95 would be the trend-setter on price, but apparently Slanket must just think "their fleece don't stink".  (They do offer a cute pirate design and seem to have many more colors to choose from than the Snuggies currently do...)  Should Snuggie watch their fleece-covered backs?

Until last night, we'd have said nah.  But, just like Texas deregulated the monopoly on the electricity industry, America has apparently declared war on the blanket-hybrid-industry fat-cats sitting around in their warm, cozy offices and has sent them a message: Americans simply don't have enough choices when it comes to synthetic-fiber-generated warmth on the couch.  Let free-trade freedom ring. 

Enter the "Original Dreamie".  She brags to be "a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and a pillow pocket all in one". -ahem-  Forgive me, but isn't that a sleeping bag?!?!?!? 

Seriously, what is happening here?  The video on the homepage even has the nerve to take a jab at a product that looks suspiciously like a Snuggie by suggesting with distain "the Dreamie is not a sheet, better than any blanket, and not one of these (insert picture of an overly frustrated simulated snuggie-like-product user here)!".

I'd like to know from you readers what your take is on these things.  Do you already own one of these fine products or were you thinking of purchasing one as a gift for a friend or loved one?  Do you share my shock at the veritable smear campaign the Dreamie has chosen to run against the Snuggie?  Is the plastic appliqued "Slanket" label on the sleeve really worth the extra $13.04?

In the interest of full disclosure, one of our favorite Christmas gifts this year was a Texas A&M collegiate snuggie from Will and Ashley, so I admit we may be a bit partial.  (We also were the excited recipients of some fantastic socks from Ed - do you see the trend here?  Our house is pretty flipping cold!)  But I'll be a monkey's uncle if I can't enjoy a snack with my hands free while staying warm at a movie.