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Hot Rod/Automotive TV Shows

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 51special, May 10, 2006.

  1. flyingpolock
    Joined: Apr 7, 2005
    Posts: 459

    flyingpolock
    Member
    from PHX

    AS 4t6RD stated, target tool companies for sponsorship, and you'd be on to something! (there is sheer brilliance in that idea) Agreeing further with riverrat, and patterning the show after The New Yankee Workshop would guarantee a winner. Consider how that show focuses on building a particular item for a set purpose... no drama, no B.S., just simply "here's what we need to build, here's what it does, here are the tools we use to build it." Having tool companies on board would mean leaving no choice but to have skilled, knowledgeable builders on board to operate said tools.
    Keeping it traditional would be the key... no "let's open a catalog and order a suspension kit!".... but instead, "let's scour swap meets, bone yards, cl***ifieds, etc, and see what we can find to MAKE what we need". Couple these scavenger hunts with some historical sideline features (lakes racing, B-ville, etc), and you've given newbies to the hobby some background on WHY
    things are being done the way they are on the show.

    Personally, I'm disgusted with Wrecks to Riches, as it seems scripted at this point (effectively polishing turds, rather than focusing on the real talents of that shop)... Rides has great inspiration.... Trucks! even has inspiring moments, with a great, personable host. Top Gear is a great show, if for nothing else than dry humor, insight, and fantastic test-drives!

    Look to Pinks! for some on-the spot drama, and just a pinch of at***ude....
    I think that if you focused on the WHY and the HOW of traditional rodding, you'd have a winner, hands down.
     
  2. RodLand
    Joined: Dec 19, 2005
    Posts: 369

    RodLand
    Member

    Right on with the visit the little shops, and watch them build cars. A girl who knows her way around a shop, and not just how to make sparks with a grinder, would keep my interest longer than anything accept a flathead hidden under a work bench.

    Make it hands on kind of building, in little known shops. That is where the real cars come from.:D
     
  3. Kev Nemo
    Joined: Aug 7, 2004
    Posts: 2,453

    Kev Nemo

    Lowriders, as in Bellflower-styled cars?
     
  4. The Choppers "Rides" show was more inspiring than any of the other shows combined.
    How about showing different car clubs build their cars or better yet a "low budget" car build off, with original old parts and no expensive aftermarket ****.
    Let's get dirty
     
  5. octane
    Joined: May 8, 2006
    Posts: 339

    octane
    Member
    from Virginia

    I'd really like to see something done gr***roots. Enough of the shops, the screaming, the drama, etc. My favorite "reality" automotive show episodes are the Monster Garage episodes where they show "backyard monsters" and just travel the country to everyday gearhead's home workshops and highlight their projects. There are a million killer cars and bikes worthy of featuring just on the various forums and message boards alone.

    Show us innovative builds happening in regular guy's back yards. I want to see a cluttered garage full of cool parts and half finished projects. I want to meet the guy's (or gal's!) crazy buddies that hang around and drink his (her!) beer and bust his (her!) chops over a sloppy weld or a stripped bolt. It doesn't need to be all tidy like the current shop shows. I don't want to see another set, I want to see a garage like mine and characters I can relate to. If I don't like the personalities on the show, I don't like the show. No more pompous ****!
     
  6. You light the fire and we'll all fan the flames! Perhaps as a part of your show you could have interviews with/features on some of the guys that have been around since those pioneering days. There's still quite a few of them active in the biz, and are not getting the credit they deserve. I especially enjoyed the Monster Garage when Winfield, Grabowski, etc. chopped and sectioned an old Chevy. They worked harder and with less belly-achin' than any other crew on the show, and with better results. Love "Rides" and "Overhaulin'". I can live without all the temper tantrums, etc as seen on American Hotrod. It's amazing- Foose gets a whole car done in a week, and everybody's enjoying themselves doing it. If you can scrounge up some old films and photos too, so much the better.
     
  7. Hackerbilt
    Joined: Aug 13, 2001
    Posts: 6,250

    Hackerbilt
    Member

    Yeah...Stacey David used to do some good fab work when he had the sponsor stuff cleared off the bench!
    He's left the show now to do some other show...supposedly more hands on.
    He's a little...exuberant...but he gets stuff done and knows the procedures.

    AHR...the Turtles...etc...just cotton candy for the brain. I watch for the comedy as do most I figure. You don't expect much and your hardly ever disappointed.

    Overhaulin' is good. It is what it is and thats fine.
    Rides...cool at times...so was Monster Garage. At times.

    Just do something that I can be proud to say I watched and can recommend to others as a window on the REAL Hot Rod world.
    I don't want to have to look at a show that pushes aftermarket blister-pac rodding.
    Take the path less travelled.
    Show the born builders...like Biker buildoff would do at times. Indian Larry etc...

    There are some wildly interesting people out there in the Hot Rod world...and they often don't own 5000sf commercial shops.

    THATS who you need to find and expose...but not as curiosities.
    Show their intensity and creativity...
    their p***ion*!


    *(tm) Barry Maguire inc.
     
  8. leon renaud
    Joined: Nov 12, 2005
    Posts: 1,937

    leon renaud
    Member
    from N.E. Ct.

    My idea is a combination junkyard wars and build or bust.Turn a team or two loose in a decent junk yard for a set period of time.if they complete a hotrod in that time they get to keep it!Use the junkyard wars as a guide but mabey supply the matching body donors say 2 60 falcon bodies then let the teams scrounge everything else out of the yard.You could also use different junk yards across the country Curboys Junkyard in Sturbridge m*** is loaded with Old cars that would be great rod beginnings for any hamber types.This would give advertising to the yards and would feature building and fabricating rather than 1800 send us parts.Owens yard would also be a cool location I think.any yard where we would be able to walk into and pick our own parts
     
  9. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,557

    Squablow
    Member

    My favorite show on TV is Modern Marvels on the History Channel. It's all about the history and the current technology of a given subject, a real do***entary. I have loved every episode of that even when it pertains to **** I know and care nothing about. They could do Modern Marvels - trash bags or Modern Marvels - scissors and I would watch it because it's always interesting.

    History Channel had a similar car-related show with some wrestler showing the history and current trends of different segments of the car hobby. It was pretty good, it would have been better without the goofy show host.

    As good as Chip Foose is, I can't watch Overhaulin' because that bimbo that doesn't know **** about cars pisses me off and I don't get why they have to keep it a secret from the owners. That's gay. Just show Chip building **** for people and I'll watch. Plus, then the owners could have some say in what's happening to their own cars.

    Pimp My Ride has a better format than Overhaulin' but they do gay **** to gay cars.

    I'm not real hot for the Two Guys Garage or the resto show on DIY. Sure it's no-drama, but it's also ultra-bland. It's like watching the instructional video that came with your new ****** cooler. Informative, but boring unless you're doing that particular thing at that particular moment.

    I want to see a do***entary-style show showing the buildup and completion of a car along with getting a feeling for the people who are building it.
     
  10. loudpedal
    Joined: Mar 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,209

    loudpedal
    Member
    from SLC Utah

    Trucks used to be a great show until they got rid of Stacey. That guy they have now that thinks he’s a “Gangsta” is just terrible. He ruined the whole show...
     
  11. sodas38
    Joined: Sep 17, 2004
    Posts: 2,454

    sodas38
    Member

    I notice someone mention "New Yankee Workshop" it's not a car show, but the format is what I was thinking about too. I had Hometime in mind too. I think most of us will sing the same tune and that is that we want to see a show that "teaches" us something. Anyway, the trick is finding a way to do that and make a show that will attract enough people to stay online. :) Good luck! Also, I used to watch Crank and Chrome and Two Guys Garage, these were shows that had more mechanical action than lip action. However, they favored muscle cars and late models, very rarely worked on anything traditional.

    I was thinking your idea might be the type of show PBS could air.
     
  12. The Caretaker
    Joined: Dec 6, 2005
    Posts: 63

    The Caretaker
    Member

    I hear you...the pranks and tantrums are lame. Show us the hands on fabricating, building and painting. I don't care how much you auctioned off your fake muscle car for or who was late for work today or who didn't have a PO number for a parts purchase. Just my .02
     
  13. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,971

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

    Weekend Mechanic on DIY isn't bad, at least he repair cars in his driveway
     
  14. triplexkustoms
    Joined: Dec 29, 2005
    Posts: 327

    triplexkustoms
    Member

    i would love to watch something being built step by step. exteme 4x4 is a pretty decent show. doesnt hurt that there is a cute girl who can weld too.
     
  15. hotrod1940
    Joined: Aug 2, 2005
    Posts: 4,064

    hotrod1940
    Member

    My favorite concept for an car show was the episode of Monster Garage that someone else mentioned. This is the way it was, where the old guys busted their backs to get it done, no drama, just cl*** act fabrication and talent that is the real backbone of the hobby. Grabowski was a pain, but at least he was real, a part of the history of the sport.
    New Yankee workshop with a different craftsman each week, with a host or hostess that knows what they are talking about.
    No bimboes, male or female. I hate the pretty boy on Overhaulin with his hat on backwards. Same theme over and over and the marks never suspects, right!
    No fake drama.
    And most important, get the facts straight.
    Maybe a hall of fame theme with photos and videos of the greats, although that would actually take someone putting effort into finding the stuff.
    Whatever it is, no phoniness, no drama,
     
  16. NickGee
    Joined: Feb 16, 2006
    Posts: 42

    NickGee
    Member

    Welcome to the site of the most knowledable, traditional hot rod builders in the world. Over the years we gather a great wealth of knowledge by making parts fit things that should't. Thats what makes a kick *** Hot Rod. When doing your pitch to whoever, Dont forget to include the up and coming generation of our kids following in Pops footsteps. These guys and gals under 30 and even under 20 years old are putting a few twist and turns into what we thought we perfected and the result is one notch up to our kick *** hot rods. I know, cause my son (18) and I love to build old Hot Rods and he has become the design and fabricating guru of our latest creations.

    good Luck

    Nick
     
  17. jimdillon
    Joined: Dec 6, 2005
    Posts: 3,321

    jimdillon
    Member

    The sad part is that drama is what sells. I hate it too but just accept a certain amount because I would rather watch shows that deal with cars than all the other garbage on the tube. Drama is what made the Teutels rich not just their bike building skills. Paul Sr was pissed after the first show but when he found that it was his yelling that brought in the viewers he folded, practiced up on his *****in and yellin skills and now he has a barn full of collector cars that he can buy with the spare change in his pockets. I liked the show for a few episodes, same with Overhaulin but both are just a rehash of earlier episodes. I bet if you were to pitch a show on just the building skills (which I would watch and if done right enjoy), the producers would tell you to look elsewhere. Maybe a better thought might be to try to come up with a show that really shows fabrication, talented builders that few have heard of and add in the right amount of drama that would placate the producers and the not so-savy m***es that get their fix off of a controlled amount of "drama". The producers need not just guys like Hamb members or even ten times that amount-they want viewers in the seven figure range or better-at least that is what they shoot for. Producers look to money first and always. Simply my .02cents-Jim
     
  18. DON'T DO IT
    NEXT WE WILL ALL BE CLONES DRIVIN PRIMERED EARLY 30'S CARS AND NEED SURFER CROSS SHIRTS AND CHOPPER HATS ..
    GETTING TATOOS AND HATING ANYONE WHO DOES NOTHING WE LIKE TO DO FOR FUN..
    LEMMINGS ARE IN SURPLUS NOW FROM CURRENT ON AIR SHOWS...AMERICAN IDOL ,SURVIVER... ANY DISC. CHANNEL SHOW

    :rolleyes: WHAT THE GUYS HERE I THINK ARE SAYING IS THIER STUFF IS NOT SEEN MUCH ON THE TUBE..

    I SAY GOOD ITS WHAT KEEPS US THE WAY WE ARE!

    I LIKED THE HISTORY CHANNELS CARS/ HOT RODS SHOWS ...
    ANY CAR BUILD /HISTORY SHOW DRAMA OR NOT IS BETTER THAN GOLF -BASEBALL OR FISHING

    KEEP IT SIMPLE AND NOT TRY TO PLEASE ALL THE CURRENT EXECS.
     
  19. 49 Fastback
    Joined: Jun 24, 2005
    Posts: 500

    49 Fastback
    Member
    from Ohio

    A small point--make sure the narrator is low-key or better: non-existent. If I could, I would strangle that idiot that does Monster Garage. Dang, he annoys me--that overwrought ******.

    I would also suggest teaching as the primary focus. If you show a viewer how "easy" it is, then maybe we'll see less tuners and more rods/customs. Some of the DIY shows are great for learning.

    And show homebuilds too--not just the shops.

    Tucker
     
  20. 56KUSTOM
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 3,102

    56KUSTOM
    Member

    I agree.Also less deadline drama.
     
  21. SwampYankee
    Joined: Dec 14, 2005
    Posts: 83

    SwampYankee
    Member
    from Dudley MA

    I agree with at least 99% of the above responses. My wish list:

    1. No "cute-and-fuzz-bunny" hosts unless they know their **** (Ok... hot chicks are allowed as long as they are willing to get either dirty or nekkid!!!! There's an idea Junkyard-hotrod-strip-challenge.... for every "monster house DONE stamp" on ch***is/drivetrain/body etc. the hotty looses a layer?)
    2. Gotta have junkyards and swapmeets.
    3. No parts sponsor infomercials.
    4. Any pranking is to be done to clueless counter-weenies at pepboys, insurance adjusters, or Registry officials.
    5. Take the finished product to a car show and create a montage of the coolest/funniest/stupidest comments.
    6. If colorful characters are needed they should at least be of the cranky, cigar chompin', been there done that, ol'timers variety.
    7. Instead of previews of next weeks episode how about showing the next P.O.S. to get worked on and asking viewers for input. (Best suggesters maybe get to work on the project with someone like Foose.)
    8. Absolutely no "Sets" or spotless garages. The best stuff comes out of garages where you need a tet**** shot before entering.

    Don't know if there's a market for a show like that, but I'd DVR every episode and hide the 'mote so wifey couldn't erase 'em.
     
  22. Beach Bum
    Joined: May 7, 2006
    Posts: 573

    Beach Bum
    Member

    So far everyone has pretty well nailed it. My only problem with New Yankee Workshop is that the guy has every freakin' tool known to man. Make this real, have the people use tools that a guy could expect to have. No CNC waterjet cutters. Hell, have 'em show how to make some of the tools. Make an english wheel and then show how to use it. Do go and visit shops and talk to old timers. You could do a whole season on Gene Winfield. Have the main guys on the show really do the work, no posers. If they aren't getting dirty and sheddin' blood then it will look like BS.
     
  23. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,377

    19Fordy
    Member

    Whatever you do, inform the viewers what it actually costs to build a car.
     
  24. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,130

    metalshapes
    Member

    That's not a small point, its huge.
    If James Earl Jones is doing a narration, and you are thinking " Hey...Thats James Earl Jones..." that means he drew you away from the program, and is not doing his job right.

    Same goes for the music they use to drown out engine noises,etc...
    When ever a car is moving it has to be to the tune of watered down Hairband Guitar riffs...

    I like " a car is born ", it was shown on BBC America.

    To me, most of the rest is ****...
     
  25. kermit
    Joined: Feb 26, 2006
    Posts: 197

    kermit
    Member
    from WI

    I agree that 'Rides' is the best show currently available. A little too much of the drama BS, but good quality construction.

    My complaint is that they do so much in so little time. Hell I can dismantle, mediablast, fix rust, prime, block paint upholster, and change the driveline in only 30 minutes......notice I left out the stereo BS, as real hotrods get their tunes from under the hood.

    Seriously though, how about a series of 3-5 (1/2 hour) shows on upholstry, or basic body work and paint. Show how much talent, time and equipment it takes to do the job correctly. That is how we learn, but make it realistic. Not a 34 second media blast segment.

    Thanks for letting me comment and good luck with your venture.

    Kermit:D Remember....the family that plays together....stays together!
     
  26. SilentMind415
    Joined: Feb 20, 2006
    Posts: 330

    SilentMind415
    Member
    from Stockton

    I like Rides and Overhaulin' and cant stand American Hot Rods or any of those stupid drama shows, I also agree that the shows on Spike TV are pure garbage and more infomercials then shows. Like a few others have said, I wanna see more building and less fake *** drama on a show, then maybe I'll watch them.
     
  27. primered_69
    Joined: Apr 13, 2005
    Posts: 48

    primered_69
    Member

    I believe Rides is too slow and drawn out. The pacing of the program ****s. Especially the naration. So does Wreck to Riches...they drag

    I like Chop, Cut, Rebuild but believe they should stick to one vehicle. Always got something good tips.

    I like the episodes of Monster garage when they just build a car. I like Overhaulin type shows with a deadline, especially if it was done with an eye to traditional.

    I don't mind drama because that is what sales and even watch American Hotrod...just because I can usually pick up good tips from someone on the show on how to do things.

    Biker Build Off was good but I like cars better.

    Spike shows have too many commercials.
     
  28. leon renaud
    Joined: Nov 12, 2005
    Posts: 1,937

    leon renaud
    Member
    from N.E. Ct.

    Dont know the name of the show but there is one where they redo an old Packard coupe A rolling restoration it was just one or two guys redoing the car no hype or super tool of the week just hands on repairs of the pacard in what could be a home shop I think it was on Canada pbs station.Everything done to that car on that show could be done by anyone with any skills at all in the home garage
     
  29. Evel
    Joined: Jun 25, 2002
    Posts: 9,044

    Evel
    Member

    I have 3 Shows all worked out But Need the Backing to shoot Pilots...
    The problem is that it's easy to sell us "Hot Rod" guys..But you need to get the people that have no Idea about the Hot Rod world to watch...Unfortunatly its all Suits that run the industry and all they want is Money and Ratings...So to do a "Ol School Show" Might do good wih us but I don't think it will make the numbers they want...Will they pick up 13 shows? thats the Question.
    I have a show that will blow all you away and I'm working on shooting a Piolt
    its just a matter of time that the TV industry will catch up to me...

    For now DVD's Still RULE HAHAHAHAHAA!!!!

    Rides got Canceled. you'll never see it again.... Boyd is going to Burn in hell
    American Hot Rod is still building Gay *** bikes and That dumb Junkyard show...Wont Last....

    Overhauling is the only thing that I can see lasting.


    My 2 cents
     
  30. 23 bucket-t
    Joined: Aug 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,366

    23 bucket-t
    Member

    the Wacky Racers is the best show ever....... :rolleyes:
     

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