Have they resorted to doing one hour infomercials about businesses I have never heard of? Honestly have not ever seen or heard or any of the first 5 companies? Is CBS taking money from seldom heard of companies to give them an hour commercial?
shareOK. I just looked up the episodes. A couple seem obscure or not clear what the subject is (Mayor of Gary?) but if you've been to a shopping mall in the last 20 years you've heard of New York and Co, and if you've been to a shopping mall or have a kid you've heard of Build a Bear. They aren't any more obscure or regional/niche than previous seasons.
Look at season 7 - they were almost all small regional chains. I've never seen a Shoppers World, Wings and Rings? Marco's Pizza, Muscle Maker Grill is super-niche., whatever this Carribean Bakery place is, etc. They've had at least 3 Hooters knock-offs.
Even Season 1, who heard of GSI or Herschand Family entertainment?
They've had an infomercial for George Clooney's best friend, and they even had an infomercial for an INFOMERCIAL - that Armando guy from the really sleezy house flippers show.