This cable TV show, Hardcore Pawn, thumbs up or down conerning the image of Detroit?

[Dan Wesson]

I watched this show yesterday because I took a break from surfin the web. If this show don't pander the worst stereotypical images of minorities, I don't know what does.

If this is reality TV then it don't say much for the Detroit area.

It does have quick collages of Detroit images as bumpers but the show caters to the lowest common denominator.

I have seen the power of the video camera on people, some of it seems staged but if it's normal everyday buffoonery, fronting, in your face, smack talking, business as usual, it plays into the hands of the 'see I told you so' types.

[dmike76]

Thumbs down. I effing hate that show and how it portrays the city. Granted, there are a lot of people like that, but it doesn't show the big picture of it's citizens to me. Also, you know that a lot of that has to be staged. It makes me ill.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

That's a "no brainer" Easily a thumbs down. But Les Gold and family could care less, they're getting paid.

[401don]

From the original crap like Springer to the current crop, what's saddest is they've found the lower they go the bigger the audience.

[EastsideAl]

Absolutely the worst, most exploitive, sleazy crap. Mixed in with a lot of obviously set up and painfully awkward "comic" or "family drama" scenes. It is interesting though that it manages to be both borderline anti-semitic and borderline racist at the same time.

[SDCC]

I notice my brother-in-law is not tuning it in anymore. Seems like there were marathon sessions on one of the cable channels – Seth, Ashley and the old man have amused me for the last time. D-R-A-M-A with a capital D, scene after scene of outrageous behavior, culminating with the dad calling another idiot out and threatening to throw down with him.

I like the Vegas pawn shop crew better, somewhat better. Rick and his old man feel it necessary to give a 20 minute history dissertation of the item – ask the guy what time it is – and the tells me how to build the watch.

[mkhopper]

"Some" of it seems staged? That's giving this program way too much credit.

I hope that people don't walk into any standard pawn shop thinking that this is the kind of thing that occurs all the time, because they'd be in for a big disappointment.

I also love that no matter what someone brings in, there always just happens to be an expert a mere phone call away who can rush right over and comment on the most obscure one-of-a-kind items people just happen to bring in.

[Ray1936]

Most of you know I'm living in Las Vegas. I'm pleased that OUR pawn shops have a degree of class to them. The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop has also become a tourist destination, with busses arriving with visitors. [[Show your Nevada ID, though, and you don't wait in line.)

But all 'reality' shows are staged.

[jefferson78]

Big Thumbs Down! This has to be one of the lamest attempts at reality TV I have ever watched. When it forst came out, I looked in with interest. Now, the show is the most contrived piece of garbage I've ever seen.
Who wants to watch two spoiled siblings argue with eachother, while the father, who raised these idiots, looks on and acts like he cares, which he doesn't. As long as he's getting his big paycheck, sits in his tanning booth, and gets to act tough, why should he? The man looks slimy and greedy.
How many times do we need to see some jackhole bring in a piece of garbage, demand a fixed amount, then be escorted out of the building, screaming and swearing?
I cannot believe anyone still watches this garbage.

[jefferson78]

I do not care for the Vegas pawn shop show either. That stupid laugh by the older son is annoying. The two younger sons are bad actors.
They do get some interesting items brought in, but the show is more about how much they can scam out of honest people.
I'm sorry, this family may not be as horrible as Les and the gang, but they are still morons in my book. I've also read that the building is a real pit.

[Left_For_Texas]

Thumbs down to anything on TruTV. Some of their "Reality" shows, like the repo ones, are fakes according to a disclaimer in their closing credits.

[SDCC]

I do not care for the Vegas pawn shop show either. That stupid laugh by the older son is annoying. The two younger sons are bad actors.
They do get some interesting items brought in, but the show is more about how much they can scam out of honest people.
I'm sorry, this family may not be as horrible as Les and the gang, but they are still morons in my book. I've also read that the building is a real pit.

Pawn Stars – Richard – Rick’s dad, Rick – the dad, Cory – the son, Chumlee – Cory’s friend

Probably the most annoying aspect of the show – Rick’s laugh, second is his professorial analysis [[and Richard – AKA the old man) of an ancient piece from a time period predating antiquity.
One example…speaking of a book...
Rick [[the dad) buys a book – $13,000.00, it’s signed by “Shoeless” Joe Jackson [[and a few others) – the shows audience then receives its free daily history lesson [[U.S.Hist109) from Rick.
Rick buys it on the spot, then takes the book to an authority on the subject, she cannot, or will not, authenticate the signature. The expert advises Rick there are only half dozen known signatures of Joe Jackson, and this may or may not be one of them. She also advises Rick that getting experts to agree on Joe Jackson’s signature is a missile project, in and of itself. Joe was illiterate and finding something – anything – actually signed by him – is, well, extraordinary.

Rick sends the book to the book Gods [[some book authentication service)…they have worse news that the local authority in Vegas he queried. They point out in their written response – line by line – what is wrong with the signature – they pretty much leave no doubt that the signature is not authentic, and will not be authenticated.
The book is worthless…
One of the younger gentlemen is Rick’s son – Big Hoss [[Cory) the other scholar is Chumlee, he’s just an acquaintance of Cory’s.
The TV is always on at home…Some weekends this show is rapid fired one after another, after yet another…
And yes, some of the items that get appraised by these “impartial experts,” are sold to the store for near nothing…despite being highly valued by their experts - that seem to be at their beck and call. Rarely does the item reappear on camera being sold.
Bored at home for a few weeks…

[softailrider]

Absolutely can't stand that show - don't like the family either, from what I understand from the grandfather on down they are a putrid bunch. Les's father got into a shootout at Sam's loans down on Michigan Avenue a couple of decades ago. He got shot in the buttocks and closed the doors after that incident

[Big Dog]

Vegas Pawn. The so called experts, they bring in are in cahoots, with them. The stooge says, it's not worth that much. He puts a low price, and the shop gets it for a song. The customer should bring his own expert, out fox, the thieves. It's not a reality show. All of them are fake.

[SMRJim]

'Reality' shows [[they have nothing to do with reality) do not reflect the areas where are filmed in any way whatsoever. They reflect the people who appear in them [[to some degree), and more so the people who create and produce them, NOT the general population of the area.

[SMRJim]

I have a friend whose daughter was going to star in a 'reality' show about her wedding [[it was cancelled before they finished filming). They told her she had to change her Maid of Honor because she wasn't good looking enough and find a friend who would stand up and object during the ceremony. Does that tell you enough about these shows [[if you didn't already get it)?

[Ray1936]

Vegas Pawn. The so called experts, they bring in are in cahoots, with them. The stooge says, it's not worth that much. He puts a low price, and the shop gets it for a song. The customer should bring his own expert, out fox, the thieves. It's not a reality show. All of them are fake.

You're right, of course, Dog, but no one is going to get 'what it's really worth' on an item in a pawn shop. Ya got something worth while? Put it on Ebay.

[JBMcB]

Ya got something worth while? Put it on Ebay.

Heck, you got something *really* worthwhile, take it to DuMouchelle. They'll take a larger cut but they'll probably make you more money.

[getmoore]

That show was fake from the beginning! A game that me and my Hubby like to play when watching so called reality shows is "spy the mike battery pack" It's so funny when an irate customer rushes into the shop already miked with a badly hidden mike pack bulging from their lower back.

[Dan Wesson]

That show was fake from the beginning! A game that me and my Hubby like to play when watching so called reality shows is "spy the mike battery pack" It's so funny when an irate customer rushes into the shop already miked with a badly hidden mike pack bulging from their lower back.

Aha! Thanks for the game cheat!

[Brian1979]

Thumbs down, I think it helps give Detroit a negative image.

[Jimbo]

You gotta admit it does have some of the most interesting booty shots available. Love those stretch pants.

[coracle]

It's incredible that Beverly Hills Pawn, Pawn Stars and Hardcore Pawn have "customers" that share the same Planet. Hardcore Pawn embellishes our beliefs about Detroit and confirms they're right. It's a pleasure to switch it off [[not seen it for months).

[Hypestyles]

What irks me is the veiled narrative that Mr. Gold and his kin are some form of modern Western frontier pioneers: tough and gutsy folks, who set up shop in a “no-man’s-land” and who have to fend off the “natives.” Sheesh.
[[and the open-shirt with a gold chain look? Um, dated!!)

[metadetroit]

The store is a bona-fide tourist attraction.