Alan L.
Elite Member
Anybody watch this show? Man these guys are great, when the old man is not reaming the boys out for something.
America Chopper
- Thread starter Alan L.
- Start date
- Views: 2320
MikePA
Super Moderator
Hi Alan, You forgot the 'n'...it's American Chopper. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I've watched the show since it started and, to be honest (to use an oft repeated phrase from the show), I think it's getting old. You'd think Paulie would learn better work habits and Paul Sr would stop 'gettin' aggrivated'. There have been other threads about the show in which Thomas said he met them. They are nothing like they are in the show so some of the tension is 'acting'. I used to stay up to watch it, now I record it on my ReplayTV and watch it later. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
I'm with Mike on this. It was on last night and we shut if off after about ten minutes. It was bed time and it's almost getting to the point of "if you've seen one, you've seen them all." /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
BTW part of the fun for me watching it was listening to my lovely bride froth at the mouth at Paul over doing nothing but complain. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's almost like the producers saw the tension between Paul and Paulie as what interested the viewers. It does add a touch of reality, all is not roses, but gawd, we get enough reality already, you think?
What interested me and I suspect I'm not alone as a human being, was the problem solving and creativity along with the use of equipment.
It's one thing to cruise a display and see perfection. But it's a whole nother thing when you see common materials manipulated into making that perfection.
I read the other day that Discovery figures they've got a formula for success and they're looking for about a dozen more "reality at work" subjects.
The problem I've seen with their formula is the contriving conflict just for the sake of having tension. That happens in real life. I understand that. I just don't put up with it in mine.
I believe they could have a loyal audience if they emphazied the tension inherent in creativity. After all I see the creative process as a microcosm of life. There is a challenge. There are attempts to overcome the challenge. Then there is success or failure. That's life. And all of us I believe can appreciate the process and enjoy and LEARN from others experiencing it.
I enjoy the shows like This Old House because I like the participants and I enjoy watching their craftsmanship in action. And maybe it is a little too orchestrated when they problem solve with a demonstration of the latest in gadget toolery. And it might be a real more like real life if they didn't always have a ready answer, that'd be a lot like mine anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
But I also find the manipulated conflict like they've installed in Monster Garage and Monster House insulting and offensive. As I've said before, I don't have that in my life. And I won't have it either. We either get along or we get it on. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
More than once when I've faced a real problem and then solved it I've wondered how it would have been to have it recorded so others could learn from my mistaking until out of frustration I solved it. There is a high that comes with success. I like that kind of high.
It'd sure be nice to get a couple of those Discovery producers for a week with wroughtnharv doing a project like we're doing now. No cameras, no go fers, just getting it on daylight to dark. They'd find out that work provides it's own conflict and tension for it's own reasons.
After all, our interests, tools, came about not out of interpersonal conflicts, but our perpetual engagement with work.
BTW part of the fun for me watching it was listening to my lovely bride froth at the mouth at Paul over doing nothing but complain. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's almost like the producers saw the tension between Paul and Paulie as what interested the viewers. It does add a touch of reality, all is not roses, but gawd, we get enough reality already, you think?
What interested me and I suspect I'm not alone as a human being, was the problem solving and creativity along with the use of equipment.
It's one thing to cruise a display and see perfection. But it's a whole nother thing when you see common materials manipulated into making that perfection.
I read the other day that Discovery figures they've got a formula for success and they're looking for about a dozen more "reality at work" subjects.
The problem I've seen with their formula is the contriving conflict just for the sake of having tension. That happens in real life. I understand that. I just don't put up with it in mine.
I believe they could have a loyal audience if they emphazied the tension inherent in creativity. After all I see the creative process as a microcosm of life. There is a challenge. There are attempts to overcome the challenge. Then there is success or failure. That's life. And all of us I believe can appreciate the process and enjoy and LEARN from others experiencing it.
I enjoy the shows like This Old House because I like the participants and I enjoy watching their craftsmanship in action. And maybe it is a little too orchestrated when they problem solve with a demonstration of the latest in gadget toolery. And it might be a real more like real life if they didn't always have a ready answer, that'd be a lot like mine anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
But I also find the manipulated conflict like they've installed in Monster Garage and Monster House insulting and offensive. As I've said before, I don't have that in my life. And I won't have it either. We either get along or we get it on. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
More than once when I've faced a real problem and then solved it I've wondered how it would have been to have it recorded so others could learn from my mistaking until out of frustration I solved it. There is a high that comes with success. I like that kind of high.
It'd sure be nice to get a couple of those Discovery producers for a week with wroughtnharv doing a project like we're doing now. No cameras, no go fers, just getting it on daylight to dark. They'd find out that work provides it's own conflict and tension for it's own reasons.
After all, our interests, tools, came about not out of interpersonal conflicts, but our perpetual engagement with work.
MikePA
Super Moderator
I agree with you, w_h. There's inherent tension between a creative person (Paul Jr) and someone who has to worry about cost, deadlines, etc. (Paul Sr), it doesn't need to be 'manufactured'. In the last few episodes, Paul Jr has been made to appear like a self centered prima donna, which I don't think he is. Like you, I enjoy watching them solve problems, but of late American Chopper as well as Monster Garage, has been more of a soap opera in a garage than anything else. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif American Hot Rod, Friday nights at 10:00, has promise, but if they head towards manufacturing conflict instead of hot rods, I'll be watchin something else.
GaryM
Veteran Member
Maybe we could have a show with Harve, Iris and Lucy! <font color="red">American Fencer!</font>
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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My favorite episode was the one with the Christmas bike. Paul Jr. stayed out of it and the younger kid and the father seemed to have a great time together.
fivestring
Veteran Member
<font color="red">"I read the other day that Discovery figures they've got a formula for success and they're looking for about a dozen more "reality at work" subjects." </font>
I'm getting into woodworking. I get tired of seeing the shows where Norm, David, Paul, etc. have an unlimited supply of tools and money to do a project. What a crock! None of us have the time or money, so......
Here's my idea....
<font color="red">Give Norm and others $2500 to equip their shop. They need to figure out how to buy the tools and stay under that budget to get the job done. Give them $200 - $500 for materials for their project. Then, let's see what their project looks like!!!
That, my friends, is a reality show. </font>
I'm getting into woodworking. I get tired of seeing the shows where Norm, David, Paul, etc. have an unlimited supply of tools and money to do a project. What a crock! None of us have the time or money, so......
Here's my idea....
<font color="red">Give Norm and others $2500 to equip their shop. They need to figure out how to buy the tools and stay under that budget to get the job done. Give them $200 - $500 for materials for their project. Then, let's see what their project looks like!!!
That, my friends, is a reality show. </font>
cowboydoc
Super Member
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it's almost getting to the point of "if you've seen one, you've seen them all."
I'd have to disagree. I watch this show and think it's pretty good. The talent those guys have is amazing. The last three part POW bike was really something. I don't think Paul Sr. and the rest of the guys were acting on that one. That was a pretty emotional show for me, especially seeing the look in the veterans eyes that somebody cared enough to create something like that. It hit home with me like not much else on tv today.
I'd have to disagree. I watch this show and think it's pretty good. The talent those guys have is amazing. The last three part POW bike was really something. I don't think Paul Sr. and the rest of the guys were acting on that one. That was a pretty emotional show for me, especially seeing the look in the veterans eyes that somebody cared enough to create something like that. It hit home with me like not much else on tv today.
MikePA
Super Moderator
<font color="blue"> I don't think Paul Sr. and the rest of the guys were acting on that one. </font>
The acting referred to is not between the Teutuls and the recipient of the theme bike. Rather it's the acting between the employees at OCC. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The acting referred to is not between the Teutuls and the recipient of the theme bike. Rather it's the acting between the employees at OCC. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
DAP
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It WAS a good idea, but now the bandwagon is full and the shelf-life has expired IMO.
Ironically, I live about 15 mins from OCC and my SO made me drive by the place. She is an avid fan and wishes that I had a hog to ferry her around on.
Any machine with only 2 or 3 wheels fills me with terror. Actually, it's not the machine, but I guarantee some dufus (densly popluated areas abound these days) will ruin your day at some point regardless of your skills and safety conciousness.
Now there is another in this series, "American Rod" ... same format, same channel, different machines, different dysfunctionals. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Ironically, I live about 15 mins from OCC and my SO made me drive by the place. She is an avid fan and wishes that I had a hog to ferry her around on.
Any machine with only 2 or 3 wheels fills me with terror. Actually, it's not the machine, but I guarantee some dufus (densly popluated areas abound these days) will ruin your day at some point regardless of your skills and safety conciousness.
Now there is another in this series, "American Rod" ... same format, same channel, different machines, different dysfunctionals. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif