Mitch Altman wants to have all TVs off

Like x-ray specs, the invisibility suit or the ever-lasting doughnut, it sounds too good to be true.

But a US &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/18/89/357/11642_Russia.html ' target=_blank>electronics expert is selling a tiny remote-control device that he claims can switch off any television at the push of a button.

Demand for the keyring-sized TV-B-Gone, which retails at $15 (£8), is already outstripping supply.

The &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/letters/2002/04/15/27628.html ' target=_blank>website of inventor Mitch Altman has crashed under the volume of enquiries from would-be buyers, reports BBC News.

Plenty of people love television, but apparently some have had enough of it.

A new key chain gadget that lets people turn off most &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/366/14330_tv.html ' target=_blank>TVs -- anywhere from airports to restaurants -- is selling at a faster clip than it would take most people to surf the channels on their boob tubes.

The key chain fob works like a universal remote control but one that only turns TVs on or off.