Anyone EVER watch Pawn stars?

[Systematic Chaos]

24. The scripting in Pawn Stars doesn't detract much from the entertainment value...

...of the show, especially because there's very little in the way of "plot lines" from show to show. It's just mostly scripted jokes and interactions unique to each episode.

And they don't go out of their way to make anyone believe it's not scripted, either. So I'm fine with how they run it. It's a chance for the owners to have fun, and hopefully the rest of the staff shares in the wealth a little. All four guys seem down-to-earth and real enough that I doubt they're total assholes to their support staff.

Now, let's talk for a few minutes about 'Hardcore Pawn'.

This show is obviously scripted, but they try and build up season-long "plot lines" which you just keep hearing about. It seems to me that they're trying to pass it off as real family drama in the business. This, while they're also putting in 2-3 "encounters" with insane customers who have to be run out of the shop by those towering walls of security. If those people were really that hostile and fucked in the head, do you really think they'd sign releases so that their faces get shown on national TV? My wife and I figure each "crusty" bags about $200 for being a momentary part of the cast and going through that kind of humiliation. There are a lot of other complaints I have about Hardcore Pawn, including no real experts being brought in to appraise merchandise and horrible haggling that seems to be way too much in the store's favor.

At least on Pawn Stars, it's made to look as if Rick will buy an item off someone hoping to just get 20-25% markup if it's an expensive collector's piece. This gives the appearance of fairness to the customers, which in Las Vegas is really sort of jaw-dropping. If those guys are really that decent to bargain with, I would have no qualms about trying to sell a rare and valuable item through them rather than at an auction, especially since they're only about 5 miles from my place. Hardcore Pawn? It seems almost every time like that family isn't happy unless they're going to see a profit margin anywhere from 80% all the way up to over 200% on some things! And what is up with their back room full of shit nobody will ever buy? How many rows of older non-smart, 720p flat-screen TVs do you need?

That's just my two cents' worth of compare and contrast between the two big pawn shows.

Oh, and as someone who was formerly downright fucking huge (and who is still in need of shedding 100 lbs. or so), I gotta give major props to Chumly for losing the weight he has. I'm not sure, but I think it may have been done without resorting to surgery, which is even better!