As a former rower, I've watched more bad rowing impersonations than I can remember. But I remember being slightly impressed that Jarvik was, according to the ad, an oarsman. It seemed to make sense — a white elitist inventor in the medical community — he probably knows more oarsmen than the average person. But there is no room in America for lying in advertisements.

Next up — babies really cant talk, or invest online.

But the campaign had come under scrutiny from a Congressional committee that is examining consumer drug advertising and has asked whether the ads misrepresented Dr. Jarvik and his credentials. Although he has a medical degree, Dr. Jarvik is not a cardiologist and is not licensed to practice medicine.

One television ad depicted Dr. Jarvik as an accomplished rower gliding across a mountain lake, but the ad used a body double for the doctor, who apparently does not row.