What is 'night owl' ? What is 'night owl' in the context? A good infomercial is often more entertaining than the television shows that surround it. There are the rudimentary displays of choppers, mops, and devices that work wonders on your abs; the constant repetition of benefits and price; the exhortations to "call now" to receive "not one, not two, but three" extra items! And then there are the hosts themselves, an exotic collection of carnival barkers and soapbox seducers, the night owls of cable television.