This is one of those shows where the term "reality TV" isn't exactly accurate. Reality TV casts a wide net, and most of the stuff it gathers in is crap, true. But often much of that stuff is so heavily scripted --despite claims-- that it's very artificial. And much is just junk. This is more interesting, more like documentary TV like back in the old days.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Martin Baxter" <truthseeker...@hotmail.com> To: "SciFiNoir2" <scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 4:05:56 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] "Pawn Stars" an Entertaining Show Keith, I'd love to give it a try, especially since I once wrote a story about a pawn shop that was far more than it seemed, but I break out into hives at the thought of reality TV. "If all the world's a stage and all the people merely players, who in bloody hell hired the director?" -- Charles L Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQUxw9aUVik To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com From: keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 05:13:59 +0000 Subject: [scifinoir2] "Pawn Stars" an Entertaining Show http://www.history.com/content/pawn-stars You know, it's odd that in a season of flashes forward into the future, gates into other parts of the universe, and visitors from another planet, I should find myself in some ways more interested in this quirky show. Ever watched it? It's actually hilarious. It follows a family-owned pawn shop that is way larger and more interesting than I'd ever have expected. I always thought of pawn shops as those borderline sleazy places where borderline sleazy guys rip you off for your mom's wedding ring or your kids' Xbox. But "Pawn Stars" shows a place that's way more diverse in what they buy and sell: WWII memorabalia, Native totems, Playboy magazines, old "death" clocks worth ten grand--you name it. What I like about the show is that it's both informative and funny at the same time. Today for example, an expert was called in to assess some WWI uniforms a guy was trying to sell. The history behind the uniform--such as the fact that the pants were called "pinkies" because they had a slight pinkish sheen to them--was fascinating. They similarly try to find experts to help them assess everything from movie posters to swords, guitars to race cars, crossbows to airplanes (no fooling!) But more than just the interesting and curious things bought and sold is the humour. Some of the clients are a trip, such as the hippy-looking dude who tries to pawn off what looks like a crappy homemade piece of crap as an Indina totem. Or the older lady who brings in a box of one hundred Playboys, and watching the young employee who has to go through the collection to price it. "Can I wear gloves?" she laments. There are some really, really quirky people buying and selling stuff here, from the obviously rich and sophisticated, to the down and out, and just plain crazy. And the family that runs this place is the funniest of all. There's the old codger who started it, a grizzled, cranky old fart who negotiates ruthlessly, curses all the time, and complains about--everything. Pops is funny, obviously running the show, always critiquing his son and grandson especially. But don't let "The Old Man" fool you: he turned a 10K investment into a multi million dollar business! then there's his son, Rick, who's also a sharp businessman. He has a way of being both hard and engaging at the same time. Both the Old Man and Rick often despair of third generation guy "Big Hoss" and his childhood friend "Chumley" (named after the walrus from "Tennessee Tuxedo). they feel the boys are a combination of soft, lazy, and clueless at times when it comes to spotting fakes or stolen items, or driving hard bargains. Half the fun of the show is watching all the various character dynamics play out, as the whole gang laughs and fusses, complains and cussess, as the decidedly odd items and customers drift in and out of the store. "Pawn Stars" really is entertaining. It has the basics of a good comedy right there in its real life events, and holds my attention more than much of the scripted stuff on TV nowadays. So much so, in fact, I've been watching the current marathon on now for a couple of hours, even though i was also trying to watch the Saints whip the pants off the hated Patriots! Chat with Messenger straight from your Hotmail inbox. Check it out
