Pawn Stars (Pawning History): A New History Channel Series
Maj Canton - May 13, 2009
Pawn Stars, then called Pawning History and now called Pawn Star$. Coming to the History Channel this July. You might think it's a documentary about famous chess players, but it's much more valuable than that...
It's a reality series featuring three generations of the Harrison family who run a Vegas pawn shop.
Haven't heard of it? That's OK. Nothing's been officially announced yet. (Well, that was true until shortly after we published.)
Here's what we know:
- Way back in January, LeftField Pictures posted a sizzle reel on YouTube for "Pawn Star$." (WARNING: The video contains adult language, is NSFW, and may offend some people, but it's a riot.)
- Only two weeks later, Paul Harasim reported in the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the Harrisons' Gold & Silver Pawn Shop would be in a TV show pilot.
- And then we hit pay dirt. On May 7, A&E Networks filed documents with the United States Patent & Trademark Office to protect Pawn Stars for a television series "featuring various aspects of owning, managing and running a pawn shop." (Serial Number: 77731776)
- A few phone calls later and TV Tango can report that Pawn Stars (now Pawn Star$) will actually air on the History Channel -- which is part of A&E Networks -- and it's tentatively scheduled to premiere on Sunday, July 26 at 8:30PM.
- Just after we published, the History Channel made the official announcement (but with no premiere date), as reported in many places such as The Hollywood Reporter that the show will be called Pawning History.
- In early July the History Channel made another announcement that the show is called Pawn Star$ and that it will premiere on Sunday, July 19 at 10PM.
The pawn-shop business should be booming in this economy! Wonder if any old-school high rollers are selling their autographed pics of the Rat Pack? Or whether a few Vegas showgirls might be trading in their diamond pasties?
Additional reporting and investigation: Mike Vicic.
UPDATED on May 14, 2009 to reflect name change to Pawning History and History Channel announcement. Additions and changes are shown in italics.
UPDATED on July 8, 2009 to reflect name change to Pawn Star$ and new premiere date. Additions and changes are shown in italics.
Enjoy the YouTube sizzle reel! (WARNING: This video contains adult language, is NSFW, and may offend some people.)
Comments
Post a Comment- From: Stephen Krupnik
- Date: May 20, 2009
Leave it to Hollywood and these three Las Vegas prostitutes to reinforce every gratuitous negative stereotype of the most civilized form of short-term consumer credit. Fortunately, for every pawnshop operation such as this embellished for prime-time farce, there are dozens of modern family-friendly pawn shop professionals who serve their customers with dignity and run their businesses in a respectable manner. Steve Krupnik
- From: Jerry Whitehead
- Date: May 20, 2009
I have been in the pawn industry for close to 40 years and have never seen a larger group of despicable bozo's in my life .. this is not the industry of today, and is purely a pulp fiction image of some real idiots who happen to be in the wrong business .. I have spent my life in association work and more to improve the image and the industry for everyone, then we get some idiot's like these crudding' up the waters for all of us who have been fighting stereotypes like these all of our lives .. Most Respectfully - Jerry Whitehead of the Pawnshop Consulting Group
- From: Lisa Little
- Date: May 23, 2009
There are positive and negative examples in almost any industry. The pawn business is no exception to this rule. Unfortunately, it appears that the producers of this show have found a poorly behaved and foul-mouthed example of a pawn shop. While foul-mouthed fighting pawnbrokers make for good tv they don't really represent the majority of the honest, professional, friendly and helpful people that generally succeed in the pawn business. The negative exceptions may make for sensational tv, but the positive majority do an excellent service for communities. Lisa Little, Fieldstone Pawn
- From: Richard John Lang
- Date: May 30, 2009
Interesting. I do believe my copyright for such a show predates theirs. They might be wise to check with the copyright office for a show concept called "Lost and Found". Might have to have my lawyer look into this. I also agree this show does little to elevate our industry. My concept is far more positive and will go a long way towards rehabilitating the pawn industry's image.
Richard John Lang
rjl@noveltyconservingengines.net
- From: M in Vegas
- Date: May 31, 2009
Jealous much? Before you judge people, maybe you should take the time to actually meet them.
- From: No good will come of this
- Date: June 3, 2009
And maybe a show that's little more than a wannabe "American Chopper" should put its best foot forward when representing the industry instead of perpetuating the stereotypes that plague it. If this trailer is any indication, what little good will pawnshops have struggled to earn for themselves may soon be flushed down the toilet.
- From: Pawn Veteran MC
- Date: June 22, 2009
I have been to this shop a number of times, and the way you guys are slandering the Harrison's is really unfair. They have a HUGE, loyal customer base that will only do business there, and are about the most knowledgeable group of Pawn professionals I have seen (this ain't your Wal*Mart style Pawn operation, if that's your goal as a Pawn Shop owner or operator then your missing the true essence of what the real business is about) .
For you people just venting hate, it really comes off bad...it just sounds like sour grapes!! ;)
- From: Pawn Veteran MC
- Date: June 22, 2009
LMAO@ Richard John Lang.
Do you have a copyright for Oxygen, too?? Weak attempt at trying to get some publicity for yourself. No shame....lmao.
- From: Heather DiRubba
- Date: July 2, 2009
It’s one of the oldest forms of banking, and until the 1950s, it was the leading form of consumer credit in the U.S. Now, the fascinating world and history of the pawning business is revealed in the new 30-minute/14-episode personality-driven series, PAWN STAR$, premiering Sunday, July 19 at 10pm ET on HISTORY.
PAWN STAR$ takes viewers inside the doors of the only family-run pawnshop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men from the Harrison family – grandfather, father and son – amusingly clash while running the business together. This family has lived and breathed the pawn business, using their sharp-eyed skills to carefully assess the value of items their colorful customers bring in, objects ranging from the obscure to the truly historic.
From a 15th century samurai sword to a Picasso painting, there isn’t much these guys haven’t seen or heard, inevitably making them experts in rare collectables as they must carefully appraise the worth of each item, determine if it's real or fake and then reveal the often surprising answer to "What's it worth?" And, when these amateur historians don’t have the answer, they call upon their network of experts for help.
Each episode of PAWN STAR$ features an array of quirky characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items. Everything and everyone has a story and it’s the Harrison family’s job to decipher fact from fiction, because in this business the customer isn’t always right.
- From: "Pawn Veteran" is as clueless as Pawn Stars
- Date: July 11, 2009
Stick to the pawn industry because you ("Pawn Veteran MC) obviously know nothing about copyright law or the current state of affairs regarding our industry. With the government trying to equate predatory lenders with pawn shops and ultimately eliminae our industry. A show like "Pawn Stars" does little to combat the stereotypes and misconceptions that are influencing lawmakers to legislate against us.
- From: Richard John Lang "burns with hatered"
- Date: July 16, 2009
I have to admit, you're really making an ass of yourself....get a grip, man!
- From: Joseph
- Date: July 21, 2009
Been in the pawn business for almost 30 years and I thought the show was very entertaining and very realistic ! Some people would bith if ya was going to hang them with a silk rope !
Loved it !
- From: This is entertainment?
- Date: July 27, 2009
Nobody ought to get their panties in bunch of this POS show.
The show is lousy and won't make a second season.
- From: Tara LV
- Date: August 17, 2009
I absolutley love this show..I live in Vegas and am not familiar with this shop...but I will be...great show...I Luv Chumlee!!!
- From: Phil
- Date: August 25, 2009
I met the Harrison family a few months ago and they seem to be as normal and intelligent as most other people I meet. I was one of the first to be filmed in the pilot series selling my 1909 Westpoint Tunic. They gave me a fair price on the wholesale level and that is fine with me that they find a buyer to make a profit. The show is not just all about pawning history but about buying and selling items of Historical value. Nobody needs to "Pawn" in order to sell anything and people that do participate in a pawn deal weither buying or selling are not low life people like they are sometimes portrayed. If there is not anything good to say about anybody it is better to keep your comments to yourself.
- From: chumly's a crackhead
- Date: September 8, 2009
Good gosh......this is the slop you will get when you have 300 channels and NOTHING TO WATCH!!!
I check in briefly for each episode mostly because I love the History Channel.....but I must say, the show get worse every week, and now we get a "pop quiz" every week to keep those two imbeciles from running the business into the ground with their ineptitude and clueless BS...I am starting to think that the Harrison's hired the two obese kids as extras for the show....they can't possibly be in the Pawn business, can they?
- From: Brian White
- Date: November 22, 2009
When are we going to see them haggle with a buyer?
- From: J.Sosa
- Date: December 7, 2009
EThis is entertainment?did u ask for a 2nd season...there u have it..and for all them Pawn Stars haters,,,if u dont like it, dont watch it.i hate all those dancing shows or singing idols s#$% shows ,thats why i dont waste my time on em,stop been so ignorant by leaving stupid comments. i love the history channel and i think that this is a great show cause is funny and also u can learn some facts about some items. Sorry for my english
- From: jlang
- Date: December 18, 2009
i think the show is great and very educational these guys are very smart it is hard to tell what is real and fake they try not to take anychances
- From: janetg
- Date: January 11, 2010
this has got to be an all time low for the history channel...cancel it
- From: Mz Leah
- Date: January 30, 2010
For anyone putting down Pawn Starz....Come on!! It's entertainment!! How could you not want to see average hard working small business owners do well? The beauty of reality TV is it gives EVERYONE the opportunity to become a celebrity!! All of the "cast" seem like decent, caring, regular people. I'm not a big TV watcher, but Pawn Starz is one show short enough for me to sit through, and the historical definitly entertaining:).....Don't listen to whiners Pawn Starz!! Our family loves you!!!....Baby steps to the top boyz!!!! ....although I will add that Chumlee's nasty foot wine made me throw up a little in my mouth!!!..:(
- From: EX
- Date: July 26, 2010
Posting videos on youtube only is STUPID.
Take down order. goodbye vid.
- From: EZ
- Date: July 26, 2010
Youtube sucks.
removed video.