I’m not much into those cheesy reality shows…
You won’t catch me watching Dancing With The Has Been Stars, Survivor, Biggest Loser or The Voice.
But there’s one reality nugget that’s got me sucked in.
It’s the Las Vegas PAWN STARS on History Channel that has quietly become one of cable’s biggest hits and is apparently only surpassed in the genre by JERSEY SHORE.
Leftfield Pictures, the production company behind PAWN STARS, cranks out 40 to 50 half hour shows a year which have made owners Rick Harrison, Richard ‘The Old Man’ Harrison and Corey ‘Big Hoss’ Harrison, worlwide stars. Austin ‘Chumlee’ Russell ain’t doing bad either.
PAWN STARS airs in no less than 35 countries. From India to Serbia, Germany to Great Britain, Australia to Poland and Thailand, people are fascinated with the show’s haggling process, not to mention the often unusual and quirky items coming in through the pawn shop’s front door.
Simple folks, these Pawn Stars—maybe?
But they’re hot enough to appear on David Letterman, Jay Leno and the TODAY SHOW just to name a few.
What’s more their store has become a major Las Vegas destination!
As visitors from all over the world pounce on Sin City, the must-sees usually include The Fountains at Bellagio, the Mirage’s Volcanos—and GOLD & SILVER PAWN, home of the pawn stars.
Depending on the weather and season, between 2,000 and 3,000 out-of-towners visit the place daily. They line up outside and are only admitted as others leave.
Disappointments?
There usually are a few. Like not seeing the pawn stars themselves at the store in person. They’re usually only in sight during taping sessions four days a week.
Another surprise to many a visitor is the size of the place which comes across much larger on television.
Is it a tourist trap?
Yeah, kinda, with all sorts of PAWN STARS souvenirs for sale at the store. Need an I LOVE CHUMLEE t-shirt, hat, cup or cap? The selection is plentiful. Same goes for key chains, bobbleheads and mouse pads.
And this week being the annual Global Gaming Expo in Vegas, Bally Technologies is introducing new PAWN STARS slot machines to the world.
Where IS the place?
Not in the best part of town. It’s north of the Strip, past the Stratosphere at 713 South Las Vegas Boulevard. You can’t miss it. Just look for the long line of people trying to get in and with a bail bond business and tattoo parlor close by.
Damn I love that show.
I have seen it a couple of times. Kinda interesting. They were buying Star Trek stuff.
Whateva.
One thing I think ever time I run across it.
The old guy looks like he is gonna keel over dead in 5 minutes.
It’s Vegas.
I betchya the employees have a dead pool on the guy.
He looks really sick.
Just sayin…
Decent show over all for a reality show that is.
But the deama at times is to much for me. I mean face it there isn’t any real true reality shows.
Drama I mean
I’ll agree with ya Jack. As shows goes this one isn’t too bad I like Deadliest Catch too but even it has gotten a bit to over the top dramatic. Plus there is usually some good intellectual content in this. And i’ll hand it to Rick he’s a self made man. Sure the jokes can be real cheesy and some false premise of drama but what doesn’t
Crappy staged “reality show”.
I covered a number of the “reality” shows that had locals in them at the Star and you guys are right; there is no reality. They are pretty much totally “produced” – which means scripted.
For example, if thousands of people are waiting in line to by mugs and T-shirts, how do the actual customers find their way in? And at this stage of the game, it’s undoubtedly a magnet for people trying to bring something weird or cool enough in so they can get some TV time.
It may have started as reality but it’s hard to imagine it still is at this point.
Its vegas…where dreams are made. Its vegas where everything is a fantasy.
This show is huge and it shows how society is anxious to find something
that requires no brain power to be entertained.
pawn shops in vegas are not like the pawn shops here on independene
avenue. Went to one down from the old Gates bar b q in vegas
and they must have had over 300 rolex watches for sale.
I prefer “Call of the Wildman”…Yeyeyeyeye, Live Action!
These days The History Channel is doing less and less real history and more and more crap shows like this. Many Americans can’t tell you when the War of 1812 was fought, but by golly they can tell you who the stars of Pawn Stars are. In the case of The History Channel, I guess it’s all about the Jackson$, the Hamilton$, the Lincoln$, and the Washington$, not to mention the Grant$, the Franklins, etc., etc.
And ChumChum the obese dog boy.
Dude, Chumlee is doing just fine. Not going hungry and being ‘world’ famous.
Not bad for a big boy 🙂
I love those pawn stars.
I like everthing.
I like the old man on the show.
Looks like he’s about to die.
Know what I mean.
Kind of like me.
He’s just hanging around.
Just like me.
He’s old with a bad attitude about life.
Like me.
Whateva.
I’m just sitting on the recliner waiting for the
next running of my favorite movie.
I’m not really into reality tv. Reminds me of my life
Boring. Laid back. Angry.
I like it that way.
Oh wait. The foil fell off the antenna on my tv.
Gotta go.
Wow, what a timely article. This show has only been on for half a decade. Nice scoop.