Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My wife and I love air popped popcorn. Her favorite part is the duds at the bottom of the bowl, and I always enjoy the slow routine of the air popping experience. Three scoops of kernels, plenty of time to measure and microwave the butter while I wait for the bowl to fill. In the meantime, sit and ponder the meaning of life as the popcorn slowly spills out of the popper. She saw this popper and thought it was cuter than our current boxy purple one, so I figured, "why not?" Looks sort Christmas-y! So to the Christmas list it went. I was intrigued by the difference in design to our old popper, and after opening it Christmas morning, she of course wanted some fluffy, buttery wonder. Into the kitchen I went. Tossing the directions, I dump in three scoops of kernels, and smile, as now it's time to get out the butter and contemplate. As I begin the timer, I notice it's been a few seconds longer than usual with no popping. "Interesting," I think to myself, "this new popper allows me more time to think while I wait. This is nice." Suddenly, it happens. All the popping begins at once. "Oh, okay I suppose it must be a bit faster overall. Oh well, that's okay I suppose," as the popcorn begins gushing from the spout. It fills the bowl to the line of the previous purple popper in just moments, but it doesn't stop! I don't understand what's happening, I used the same amount of kernels as always! What is this new red popper doing?? The bowl begins to overflow. All over the counter, some barreling into the sink and even more dropping to the floor! I grab another bowl to catch the overflow. "It's so fluffy, it weighs almost nothing," I realize as the second bowl begins to overflow. And abruptly, just as quickly as it began, it stops. I hear a single kernel bouncing in the popper as I give up trying to save them from the floor. "It can't be," I think to myself. "Where are all the duds?" I ask myself as the microwave tells me the 16 seconds for the butter is complete, and the final, lonely kernel gives a weak, yet audible "poof", and leaps onto the mountain that was once an empty bowl. "16 seconds? All of this, in just 16 seconds?" my mind tries to comprehend as I stare into the emptiness I have come to expect be filled with dud kernels and peaceful contemplation. Forlorn, I mope into the living room, empty handed. Sitting on the couch, I look into those beautiful brown eyes and break the news. "Honey. There aren't any duds." I see those eyes begin to well up with tears. I grab hold of her and sob, "and I will never understand the meaning of life. Damn you! Damn you National Presto 04860 Poplite Hit Air Popper!"