I recently started watching some of the shows on the Discovery Channel. One of them is “American Chopper.” The show follows the daily lives of several guys who work for a place called Orange County Choppers, located in New York state, I believe. They build custom bikes. Now, I’m not a motorbike guy myself, but I find it interesting to watch how these guys work, especially the amount of painstaking detail and pride they put into their craft. The most interesting thing, I think, is all the heated exchanges that go on between the shop’s owner and his sons who work for him along with some other people. In some ways it’s rather funny. I assume it’s all real, though I don’t know how these guys can just go about their work oblivious to the fact that someone is standing there with a video camera. I know I could never continue doing my job without the distraction of a videographer. I’d always be looking at the cameraman saying, “Cool, did you get that on tape?” Or, “That was embarrassing, I don’t want this recorded, could you erase that part, please?.” Last night the owner and his son went around for several minutes because of putting in too much time, not getting days off, etc., completely disregarding the fact that it was all being recorded (swearing bleeped out, of course). If any of you watch this show or the other similar shows that air with it (“Monster Garage”, “Monster House”) please share your comments.
Just saw it for the first time. Not much to say, except that if the father behaves like that all the time, then he is quite possibly the worst manager I’ve ever seen. I’m gonna presume his less volatile scenes were edited out, because I don’t think anyone could stand working very long with a jerk like that constantly in your face.
Thought the first ep of Monster House was a hoot. The image of the family looking on in horror as the remodelers bashed their way in with a sledgehammer was priceless. Hope they still like all that garage-shop decor after the novelty wears off.
I watch that show (the shop is in California, by the way). I’d last about 30 seconds with that asshole and he’d be wearing my foot up his butt, but that’s another thread. The bikes are beautiful and his employees seem to respond to his abusive outbursts. Whatever.
Anybody care to psychoanalyze Paul, Sr?
I’m surprised his son is still working for this wackjob. The old man has serious control problems.
Not to nitpick, but it is in NY -
Orange County Choppers
27 Stone Castle Road
Rock Tavern, NY 12575
I made the same mistake, thinking Orange County referred to Orange County, CA - and I couldn’t rationalize CA with copious snowfall in the “Black Widow II” series. . .
As for the Dad vs Son dynamic - :: shrug :: - it seems to work for them. The son’s the artist, the Dad’s the anal-retentive, obstinate old-school type. I know he’s not particularly the SDMB type, and wouldn’t be popular as a poster, but I’m also sure he’d not be heartbroken to hear it 
Kalhoun is probably thinking of West Coast Choppers, which was featured in the two Motorcycle Mania episodes.
Theyway that family works together is very typical of how many families in business work.
Know how you hate biting your tongue around cow-orkers? Well, that feeling is completely loosened up when it’s family and you can yell at them.
Seriously, it is very typical. Even in mega-companies, which are family owned, the fighting is the same, 'cept the pay lawyers to insult eachother.
My company is owned by one of the richest families in America, and one daughter ‘talks’ to her father via her attorney only, and she’s been doing so since she was about 13. When she turned 18, she was unhappy with her 3 billion dollar trust guarantee and % of monthly profit, so she is suing for more.
Families in biz together make for interesting stories.
If you joined last night you missed a decent amount of backstory on the family. There was a special on them before they became a series. Paul Sr. is quite accomplished and built a thriving steel machining business from nothing, before building East Coast Choppers from a hobby into a business.
They yell at each other all the time but it is clear the love is there as well. Paul Sr. had to overcome a lot of internal and external challenges which is why he is a bit edgy at times. He is also quite generous and really has helped Paul Jr (not to mention the intern like kid Cody-- talk about livin’ the dream) establish themselves.
It is a fun show. Even if half of the dialog is rated NC-17.
I love Monster Garage so I was excited to check this out. However I really couldn’t stomach the dad and his shitty attitude. I don’t think I ever made it through a whole episode, which is too bad because there was some excellent craftsmanship going on there.
Monster House?!? Never heard of it and I’m thrilled to hear about it! Sounds right up my alley. That’s going on the TiVo tonight for sure.
I love this show! Not even sure why, cause I don’t really care for motorcycles. I think it all comes down to the dynamics between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. The drama translates well into the TV episode format. In that sense, that they make custom motorcycles is almost secondary for the purposes of the show.
The bikes are beautiful but expensive, $150,000…whoa.