AXE man Drama?

tnmike · Jan 22, 2012

Ditto the comments on Ariel Tweeto. She is as cute as a speckled pup.

woodlandfarms · Jan 22, 2012

I have been thoroughly enjoying this thread. While there wasn't any new insight, it was good to see how people responded to these shows.

See, I make my living as a producer. So does my wife. She has a reality show on TV as we speak, we will see if it gets picked up for next year or not. We are also currently developing another show for another network as well. It won't be mindless but at the end of the day drama makes tv so we will have to have some drama. I make most of my money from movies and tv commercials but have done reality in the past (Biker Build Off was one), but the business model is changing, and there are less movies being made and more tv shows, including reality tv.

I could add a lot to this subject, but it is not necessary. A few things I would say, I don't defend any of the shows in terms of quality or merit, but I wil defend to my dying breath the right for them to be on the air. Hollywood is very sensitive to the viewer, because at the end of the day, if you are not watching we aren't making money. It blows my mind what people watch (I am not being highbrow, I love robot chicken) but at the end of the day there is enough of an audience for advertisers to buy space so the shows keep getting made. I don't think there are too many people in hollywood who would not like to see reality tv go the way of the dodo bird, but that is not what audiences want right now. A deep look at socio economic pressures reveals a lot, and how people look to entertainment and what types of entertainment for escape. Maybe as the economy shifts people will not need to see people less fortunate than them, and will be looking for escape in the way of comedies (what ever happened to sitcoms?) or just 2 hours in a movie theater watching something more than explosions and shaky camera shots.

All the best

Carl Beyer

MikeD74T · Jan 22, 2012

Carl, If you were involved with real bike builders, rather than OCC vs Jr vs Jessie James, I commend you. That bunch is just more Ax men whose advertizers will only get my money from product acceptability cause life's too short (especially at age 62) to watch that crap. On the other hand there's no shortage of stupid people so casts & audiences will probably flourish. MikeD74t

woodlandfarms · Jan 22, 2012

The Biker Buildoff show was a competition show a number of years ago. Two builder had just a few weeks to build a bike, then ride it to a bike ralley and have it judged. The builds were real, the talent amazing, I made friends with a lot of bike builders, a few friends of the local bike 'club" and had an all around amazing time. There was no drama, just real craftsmanship. I have never had much respect for West Coast or OCC guys. But fame is HARD work. and a lot more lucrative than real work. Its hard to have talent and keep doing what you love when someone is offering you 100K to show up at a party.

Carl

CBW1999 · Jan 22, 2012

I seem to recall seeing an episode that Indian Larry was in before he died. Can't remember if he was building or just consulting for someone but- I remember a frame being made out of heavy chain. Welding one link at a time as they went to get the shape they wanted- THAT WAS AMAZING!

JayC · Jan 22, 2012

Since this thread has seemed to turn into a "realtiy" TV thread I'll throw this show into the ring... :laughing:

Has anyone watched American Guns? As far as the smithing goes, I'm not too knowledgeable about it so I don't know how good that is. I kind of liked the show otherwise. They did some interesting projects and featured some interesting weapons. I was reading some gun forums, and they really rip on the show. Quite a few don't like Gunsmoke.

crazyal · Jan 23, 2012

woodlandfarms said:
The Biker Buildoff show was a competition show a number of years ago. Two builder had just a few weeks to build a bike, then ride it to a bike ralley and have it judged. The builds were real, the talent amazing, I made friends with a lot of bike builders, a few friends of the local bike 'club" and had an all around amazing time. There was no drama, just real craftsmanship. I have never had much respect for West Coast or OCC guys. But fame is HARD work. and a lot more lucrative than real work. Its hard to have talent and keep doing what you love when someone is offering you 100K to show up at a party.

Carl

Seen it (probably all of them), liked it, good job rising above the whole OCC mess. I would much rather see someone try to top the last show with talent than trying to out argue and out smash last weeks show. I really liked the part of making them drive the bike for a few hundred miles (or more). That separates the boys from the men.

Brushhill dave · Jan 23, 2012

I think you guys are missing the worst of the worst. The one where they operate a noodling outfit. Mrs. Brushhill and myself Wasted about 4 minutes watching this joke the other night!!! The process of catching a fish with your bare arm is cool and interesting, but I don't wanna know that you feel the need to get closer to your sister! Come on just stick your arm in that hole already! The only reality of gold rush is when the boys mother showed up and threatened to drag his butt home!
Dave

creekbend · Jan 23, 2012

What about Cajun Pawn Stars? I have watched it twice, and it appears to be adapted from and a copycat version of the original Pawn Stars. I find it strange that there are not many customers coming or going or present in the shop. It appears that the buyers or sellers are a select few that the producers have hand picked for their amusing characteristics and items for sale. :thumbdown: Just my opinion. Maybe there is a "captured audience" in regards for the viewers?

kebo · Jan 23, 2012

Sterff said:
This show will be dead soon. When your latest dirty job is at a barber shop, Id say you ran out of material.

Likewise with Mythbusters. They ran out of myths to debunk a LONG time ago, now they are having to conjure up theories of stuff to prove/disprove. I think the comedy that they provide is mostly what keeps that show going but it's pretty much turned into a pyrotechics show, ie how much explosives does it take to blast a car 100 ft into the air???

chopped · Jan 23, 2012

the episode with the electric hot water heater was an eye opener.. Sure glad for the safety devices on the tanks..
MythBusters Episode 89: Exploding Water Heater

MikeD74T · Jan 23, 2012

I like the applied science of MythBusters but the comedy is getting over the top. Sometimes they "just don't get it" like in the American Graffiti episode where the cop car with leaf springs & front shackle bolts removed stunt was tried on a car with a 4 link suspension which didn't work. :confused2: MikeD74t

jonyyuma · Jan 23, 2012

MikeD74T said:
I like the applied science of MythBusters but the comedy is getting over the top. Sometimes they "just don't get it" like in the American Graffiti episode where the cop car with leaf springs & front shackle bolts removed stunt was tried on a car with a 4 link suspension which didn't work. :confused2: MikeD74t

Yeah, But was it a real screw-up or one to keep us watching. I agree, They Blow up a lot of stuff, claim to be using c-4..Okay where do they buy Government surplus explosives???Some of it is Hokkey...

boxygen · Jan 23, 2012

Did you guys see last night on Axemen when the chainsaw fell from the skycar on Rygard's crew? One of the most obviously staged ones so far. They didnt show a lot of the actual saw itself, by design im sure. When they were attaching it to the cables they showed the powerhead a little bit. It was like a some POS homelite or McCulluch from the 70's, not a $1500 Sthil. The saw had no place on any professional jobsite and was obviously meant to be sacrificed.

Just like last week when they found the last bronco II on the planet to accidently park at the bottom of the hill. For some reason the Service truck could make it to the top of the hill but the 4x4 bronco couldn't...riiiight.

Dont get me wrong, I will continue to watch every week though.

jonyyuma · Jan 23, 2012

Good points, at least the had polished the little ford, before dumping on it?

woodlandfarms · Jan 23, 2012

For those who are mythbuster fans, a bit of insider news

Unchained Reaction -- New Discovery Series Produced By Adam Savage & Jamie Hyneman

And yes, things do get dangerous with Mythbusters.

'Mythbusters' cannonball hits Dublin home, minivan

rekees4300 · Jan 23, 2012

The Ax Men show has become obviously mostly staged. Personal confrontation subplots seem to be the show's primary theme. Oh well why not? That formula has worked for pro wrestling for decades.

CrownHawg · Jan 23, 2012

"How It's Made", "How Do They Do It?", "Build It Bigger", Big, Bigger, Biggest". Now THESE are reality shows I can watch. Those "other" reality shows are simply modern "sitcoms"....

jonyyuma · Jan 23, 2012

Okay, Best way to talk to a fellow worker and prove your point is to grab him or her firmly by the throat...Yeap, that will help sooth things down quickly..OFF Camera, then what?