History Channel's 'Pawn Stars' and their view on the value of Atari

[Eduardo]

Ill try to keep it simple. Some of the things they claim can't done in the time frames they provide. Things like sanding down a complete Gas station pump, then primering it and then painting it will take you a couple of days, not to mention all the fittings. Even if everything went smoothly. Even if he had all the parts on hand and even if he did nothing but work on the machine at all waking hours. He can't physically do it in that ammount of time. Yeah we see a lot of great things done quickly on shows like Monster Garage and Pimp My Ride. But these restorations cannot be done like that. That's as far as I can go with my explanation, and I hope its satisfactory to you. Since the next step would be dissecting the procces step by step, day by day and I don't care enough about the issue to spend my time doing that.

[Arkhan]

Ill try to keep it simple. Some of the things they claim can't done in the time frames they provide. Things like sanding down a complete Gas station pump, then primering it and then painting it will take you a couple of days, not to mention all the fittings. Even if everything went smoothly. Even if he had all the parts on hand and even if he did nothing but work on the machine at all waking hours. He can't physically do it in that ammount of time. Yeah we see a lot of great things done quickly on shows like Monster Garage and Pimp My Ride. But these restorations cannot be done like that. That's as far as I can go with my explanation, and I hope its satisfactory to you. Since the next step would be dissecting the procces step by step, day by day and I don't care enough about the issue to spend my time doing that.

do you yourself do restoration work and have professional experience in doing this stuff? Stuff that you can prove you have done? I could wikipedia how to do restorations and start copy pasta'ing....and then claim a guy doing this for a living is lying....

so without some proof to counter their time-frames, Ima have to go with :bullshit:

[Eduardo]

do you yourself do restoration work and have professional experience in doing this stuff? Stuff that you can prove you have done? I could wikipedia how to do restorations and start copy pasta'ing....and then claim a guy doing this for a living is lying....

so without some proof to counter their time-frames, Ima have to go with :bullshit:

You win man, youre the King of Keyboard Warriors.

You can take a horse to water but you can't teach it how to fish.

[spongerob]

Gonna have to side with Edourdo on this one. Just because you can pinpoint bullshit doesn't make you an asshole or a wannabe expert. It just means you know when someone is extraordinarily full of shit, which with reality TV isn't tough to figure out. They clearly lied about one thing so that should put everything else they do into question.

[dnehthend]

this explains why I saw one at goodwill for 99.99

what a fucking joke, the good thing about the pricey stuff is that after it's been around for a month or so it gets marked down to one dollar

[Compute]

"Such and such cannot be restored this quickly!"

My assumption was that they simply edit those into whatever show they want to have that week. "Oh hey, here is a thing where chum lee buys something, now let's add this footage from when they had that plane restored." No restoration magic, just editing. Problem solved.

[nectarsis]

"Such and such cannot be restored this quickly!"

My assumption was that they simply edit those into whatever show they want to have that week. "Oh hey, here is a thing where chum lee buys something, now let's add this footage from when they had that plane restored." No restoration magic, just editing. Problem solved.


This may also be true, but then when they make the claims of X restored in a week or whatever is BS to.

[Baloo]

People, people!

Pawn Stars is a TV show. It is for entertainment purposes only. NOT for some random experts to be watching and point out the flaws and be like "THAT'S NOT RIGHT!" every time the show airs. While I did see both the Coke Machine and Atari episodes, I didn't find them any less entertaining because of their flaws in pricing/restoring. Because they're not meant for people like us, the nerds of the internet, who obsess over trivial things such as this.

They are a business, on a TV show, buying items to make your average Joe blow say "ooooooooh."

That is all.

[OMF2097]

People, people!

Pawn Stars is a TV show. It is for entertainment purposes only. NOT for some random experts to be watching and point out the flaws and be like "THAT'S NOT RIGHT!" every time the show airs. While I did see both the Coke Machine and Atari episodes, I didn't find them any less entertaining because of their flaws in pricing/restoring. Because they're not meant for people like us, the nerds of the internet, who obsess over trivial things such as this.

They are a business, on a TV show, buying items to make your average Joe blow say "ooooooooh."

That is all.

I think the thread could be closed now.

[GarrettCRW]

Ah, Baloo, missing the point in the most authoritative way possible. A show on the History Channel should have accurate information, hence the "History" moniker.

That bit of business aside, bitching about ignorance re: video games is old hat, especially for a stupid reality show. Sure, taking Antiques Roadshow to task for the notorious Atari appraisal is worth it, because the guys on that show generally know their shit, but some over-produced reality schlock? Really?

[Eduardo]

"Such and such cannot be restored this quickly!"

My assumption was that they simply edit those into whatever show they want to have that week. "Oh hey, here is a thing where chum lee buys something, now let's add this footage from when they had that plane restored." No restoration magic, just editing. Problem solved.

Problem is that they put a bumper that says One Week Later.

[Arkhan]

Problem is that they put a bumper that says One Week Later.

well, if you don't think it can be done one week later, explain why. If you're not a pro-restorer, I don't think you'll be able to. Or one of the local dudes here, go ask them point blank, or go to the restorer guy and watch him work.


You'd be surprised how fast and focused people work if a giant TV network is dangling bags of money over their head.


One dude saying the other dude is lying on the internet doesn't hold much water with me. I need to see some facts. Especially since I've seen some pretty fast car restorations locally, and jukeboxes and shit are alot simpler in comparison.

[Bojay1997]

Ah, Baloo, missing the point in the most authoritative way possible. A show on the History Channel should have accurate information, hence the "History" moniker.

That bit of business aside, bitching about ignorance re: video games is old hat, especially for a stupid reality show. Sure, taking Antiques Roadshow to task for the notorious Atari appraisal is worth it, because the guys on that show generally know their shit, but some over-produced reality schlock? Really?

As has been stated many times before in this thread, History is a commercially supported network. They have never claimed to be PBS or the BBC or a news network or the "fact" network. For crying out loud, they put on all sorts of pseudo documentary programming talking about mythical creatures and build entire series out of badly done recreations using actors. At what point would you assume that anything on there is 100% true or accurate?

[garagesaleking!!]

Ah, Baloo, missing the point in the most authoritative way possible. A show on the History Channel should have accurate information, hence the "History" moniker.

That bit of business aside, bitching about ignorance re: video games is old hat, especially for a stupid reality show. Sure, taking Antiques Roadshow to task for the notorious Atari appraisal is worth it, because the guys on that show generally know their shit, but some over-produced reality schlock? Really?

Ah but you miss the point as well. A tv channel is supposed to show programs that people want to watch. Its just a name that respresents a channel, nothing more. Now in some cases, that channel tries to follow a general theme. I am so sick of poeple complaining about what the history channel is doing. Pawn Stars and American Pickers are my favorite shows right now and maybe of all time. They are quality shows, and I would be very sad to see them go. Every show I ever like seems to get cancelled, while shit like Friday Night Lights stays on the air. I played Football and went to high school, believe me, there is no drama like that and nothing realistic about it.

TV is about entertainment, and a show has some along, that all of us in this forum should be supporting. They are about collecting and keeping things in nice condition, and appreciating the past. Something all of us should support.

[nectarsis]

[QUOTE=garagesaleking!!;1744545 They are about collecting and keeping things in nice condition, and appreciating the past. Something all of us should support.[/QUOTE]

They are more about the $. Of course they have to have some interest in the history aspect of it..but $ is still the driving factor.

[Enigmus]

Ah but you miss the point as well. A tv channel is supposed to show programs that people want to watch. Its just a name that respresents a channel, nothing more. Now in some cases, that channel tries to follow a general theme. I am so sick of poeple complaining about what the history channel is doing. Pawn Stars and American Pickers are my favorite shows right now and maybe of all time. They are quality shows, and I would be very sad to see them go. Every show I ever like seems to get cancelled, while shit like Friday Night Lights stays on the air. I played Football and went to high school, believe me, there is no drama like that and nothing realistic about it.

TV is about entertainment, and a show has some along, that all of us in this forum should be supporting. They are about collecting and keeping things in nice condition, and appreciating the past. Something all of us should support.

This, right here.

Also, most people seem to forget that all channels suffer some sort of network decay (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NetworkDecay) and History Channel (which, as proof, is now just History) is just slowly falling to it, while others, like TLC, have fallen fast after realizing there original purpose was going nowhere and they had to change their focus to stay in the business. It's all about profits and viewership. There are rare occasions where a channel focuses on viewers, but today it is mainly survival. They have to change to survive, or else they're bankrupt with low viewership and a low spot in the ratings charts. It is much like how evolution works- beings evolve and adapt to survive obstacles. It is the way of the world.

[spongerob]

Ah, Baloo, missing the point in the most authoritative way possible. A show on the History Channel should have accurate information, hence the "History" moniker.
That and they clearly don't market it as unrealistic dumb entertainment. They'd have us believe everything we see and thus, we're just naturally inclined to point out that they're lying to us. Doesn't mean we're enraged, just that it doesn't take much to point out bullshit.

[Eduardo]

I think this is the problem. I think it's the first time History Channel has lied.

The best part is when people think they have something and turns out to be fake or total crap.

[Baloo]

That and they clearly don't market it as unrealistic dumb entertainment. They'd have us believe everything we see and thus, we're just naturally inclined to point out that they're lying to us. Doesn't mean we're enraged, just that it doesn't take much to point out bullshit.

Stop being an elitist bastard. "Unrealistic dumb entertainment"? Shit, I guess you spend your quality time is sipping on a nice aged Bourbon in your evening suit while burning books unfit to read such as Catcher in the Rye and Huckleberry Finn with your Cuban cigar ashes. If you find Pawn Stars as "Unrealistic dumb entertainment", then I suggest you stop watching TV altogether.

Again, this is TV, garagesaleking and Bojay explained it the best. Who said everything had to be accurate in order to be entertaining? Look at reality shows! Everyone complains they're inaccurate to whatever they're portraying, but they're still watched very much.

And History channel showing only highly accurate material? Please, air some more about Nostradumas predictions and how the world is going to end in 2012, Mayan Prophecies, and the like.

And yet swapping out a Coke machine and offering $100 for a 2600 and some games falls into the category of "inaccurate" X_x

[spongerob]

Stop being an elitist bastard. "Unrealistic dumb entertainment"? Shit, I guess you spend your quality time is sipping on a nice aged Bourbon in your evening suit while burning books unfit to read such as Catcher in the Rye and Huckleberry Finn with your Cuban cigar ashes. If you find Pawn Stars as "Unrealistic dumb entertainment", then I suggest you stop watching TV altogether.
Wow. I guess every forum has their rage guy. Looks like I've found him.

What did I say that was wrong? It's unrealistic because they flat out swap items and tell us they didn't. It's dumb because it's scripted, with gimmicky characters under the guide of realism. And well, according to most it's entertainment. I won't disagree. I just think it's entertainment in the same way local wrestling and rollerball is entertainment. So what's the problem?

I'm not saying it's not entertainment to some people, we're just saying the show is full of shit. Do you really have that much of a problem with us saying that? Sheesh, relax man.


And History channel showing only highly accurate material? Please, air some more about Nostradumas predictions and how the world is going to end in 2012, Mayan Prophecies, and the like.
That would be assuming I enjoy that shit. Otherwise, it's a total straw man argument. For the record, it's also bullshit but when we point out that the name of a channel is inaccurate, we're bitched at because apparently having a different opinion makes you an "elitist bastard". It just boils down to the fact that some people just immediately lash out at anyone who doesn't think exactly like they do. Someone lies to you? Psh, shut up, you're not allowed to simply point it out. The name and premise of something has been abandoned in favor of more money? Not allowed to comment at all.

[Baloo]

Wow. I guess every forum has their rage guy. Looks like I've found him.

What did I say that was wrong? It's unrealistic because they flat out swap items and tell us they didn't. It's dumb because it's scripted, with gimmicky characters under the guide of realism. And well, according to most it's entertainment. I won't disagree. I just think it's entertainment in the same way local wrestling and rollerball is entertainment. So what's the problem?

I'm not saying it's not entertainment to some people, we're just saying the show is full of shit. Do you really have that much of a problem with us saying that? Sheesh, relax man.


That would be assuming I enjoy that shit. Otherwise, it's a total straw man argument. For the record, it's also bullshit but when we point out that the name of a channel is inaccurate, we're bitched at because apparently having a different opinion makes you an "elitist bastard". It just boils down to the fact that some people just immediately lash out at anyone who doesn't think exactly like they do. Someone lies to you? Psh, shut up, you're not allowed to simply point it out. The name and premise of something has been abandoned in favor of more money? Not allowed to comment at all.

No, it's simply common sense. It's TELEVISION. You should already know it's not entirely for factual purposes in the first place. Putting some sort of "unrealistic dumb entertainment" tag on a TV show makes you sound condescending to anyone who watches the show.

All entertainment TV is scripted, with gimmicky characters and acted-out scenes. That's what makes it different from educational TV, and also more interesting. Do you really think you're just going to walk into any given PAWN SHOP of all places and everyone's going to be jolly and helpful, with people like Chum Lee working there who really have no clue what's going on? I don't think so. Let's use some common sense here, please.

And really, who cares if the name and premise of a television station is abandoned for money? Did you help found the History channel? This is capitalist America. If I owned a company called "Baloo's chocolate", but found out I could make money by stop selling my chocolate and start selling televisions and cheddar-flavored potato chips, what's to stop me from selling either of these things? Just because you start out as one thing, doesn't mean you're off-limits to do practically whatever you want as a company.

My problem is that you make out everyone who watches this show to be a complete moron. Hello, I watch "Unrealistic dumb entertainment" every night and I love it!

[spongerob]

No, it's simply common sense. It's TELEVISION. You should already know it's not entirely for factual purposes in the first place. Putting some sort of "unrealistic dumb entertainment" tag on a TV show makes you sound condescending to anyone who watches the show.
I couldn't give a shit what you interpret as condescending. Sorry but I can't say it any nicer than that. There are accurate television shows out there. Hell, you needn't look further than certain shows that used to be (and for all I know still are) on that very network.


All entertainment TV is scripted, with gimmicky characters and acted-out scenes. That's what makes it different from educational TV, and also more interesting. Do you really think you're just going to walk into any given PAWN SHOP of all places and everyone's going to be jolly and helpful, with people like Chum Lee working there who really have no clue what's going on? I don't think so. Let's use some common sense here, please.
You're acting like I expect this. You're missing the point and basically arguing with yourself. We're just pointing out that it's bullshit because they'd have us believe it isn't. Simple.

This the whole name thing is such a lazy argumentative retort. Who cares? I do. Or I wouldn't reply. I've never seen someone get so mad that someone else doesn't roll over and accept being lied to. Do I care enough to think about it when I leave this topic? No, but while I'm here, I'm going to point out it's inaccuracies. It happens every day, all over the internet officer, so unless you want to throw on the sirens and police every topic and every thread you find, would you just let it go? You're just replying for the hell of it now. Nothing's to stop them from changing their name, or you from selling whatever the hell you were talking about. Just like there's nothing to stop me from talking about their potential abundance of greed.


My problem is that you make out everyone who watches this show to be a complete moron.
I don't make anyone out to be anything, learn to read. This whole conversation has stemmed from the fact that you jump to conclusions without anyone actually suggesting a thing.

I do think the shows are completely retarded and not worth watching. I don't care who watches them and don't really give a shit enough to pass judgment.

Clear enough? Are we done? Just PM me if you want to keep this up, I don't feel like contributing more than I have to flooding this topic with useless shit.

[Enigmus]

... so, when do the locks arrive?

[skaar]

http://media.fukung.net/images/24676/2cf505f82b813cb7bcc4cffc939939c1.jpg

[Arkhan]

I think this is the problem. I think it's the first time History Channel has lied.

The best part is when people think they have something and turns out to be fake or total crap.

Well using your patented logic.... the experts who don't know anything could be wrong, and some of the "fake crap" could actually be awesome and worth money.

So right now as it stands, the experts are clueless unless it gives you something to laugh at. They're experts if its to go OMG FAKE. GET OUT.

but if its "oooo rare, $$$", they're full of shit and clueless!

[Eduardo]

Well using your patented logic.... the experts who don't know anything could be wrong, and some of the "fake crap" could actually be awesome and worth money.

So right now as it stands, the experts are clueless unless it gives you something to laugh at. They're experts if its to go OMG FAKE. GET OUT.

but if its "oooo rare, $$$", they're full of shit and clueless!

I never at any point said that the experts dont know anything. Look the thread up read it up and down and tell were I said that. You are confusing posters sir.

I said that Rick the retorer is full of shit for passing off the machine and that the time frame of retorations is fake.

Please quote were I said even once that the experts dont know anything. I beg you, take your shot.

[PapaStu]

Wow, a few days of breaky breaky on the forums and we get some super pent up action.

People, Pawn Stars is a show, where when things are sent off for resto can take weeks/months to put together and with the magic of editing, and a commercial break, that AC Cobra frame that was pawned, is now a fully restored car for the Old Man.

Stuff like a gas pump can be stripped in an afternoon, and painted a day or two later. There are aftermarket parts available for these things and guess what, they don't need to work. A coat of paint, some re-chroming and a new lightbulb and wiring and shit is ready for sale in the shop/ebay. These restorers arn't one man places doing things after they get home in the evening. They are a business that needs to crack these things out in a timely manner to survive.

They (the pawn star) also make mistakes, just a week or so ago, I watched The Old Man and Corey shell out like 200 bucks for an 'original' signed contract of The Who playing woodstock. Too bad it was one of 100,000 copies from a first run of an album.

So they paid 100 bucks for an atari lot. They, like Yahoo news articles talking about them fandangled video games like stadium events drum up people bringing shit in, as well as people spending more on stuff hoping to hit it big who don't know what they are getting into, or just reliving the nostalgia of olden days. Why do you think you guys can sell NES systems for 40-50 bucks and that SMB 3 / Zelda sell so well?

This thread has spiraled into a fun spiral of name calling and bitching, about a semi scripted tv show about a pawn shop on a video game forum. The History channel airs this because of the 'History' that walks into the shop. Shipwreck gold? Ayup. An Americana quilt loaded with signatures of famous people? Yup. A photo album of Jimmy Hoffa? Si. An ivory sundial/astromech thing from the 16th century? You betcha. That is history, and the stories accompanying them is what the channel wants, and what they get.

This thread is History.

**lockerooni**