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                                                                       EXHIBIT 5


                                 April 7, 1999


ValueVision International, Inc.
6740 Shady Oak Road
Eden Prairie, MN  55344

         Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted on behalf of ValueVision International, Inc. (the
"Company") in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration
Statement"), relating to 400,000 additional shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par
value (the "Shares") to be issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of the
Company's 1994 Executive Stock Option and Compensation Plan, as amended (the
"Plan"). Upon examination of such corporate documents and records as we have
deemed necessary or advisable for the purposes hereof and including and in
reliance upon certain certificates by the Company, it is our opinion that:

         1. The Company is a validly existing corporation in good standing under
the laws of the State of Minnesota.

         2. The Shares, when issued and paid as contemplated by the Plan and
when delivered against payment therefor in the manner contemplated by the Plan,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         MASLON EDELMAN BORMAN & BRAND, LLP



                                         By: /s/ William M. Mower, P.A.