# Chumlee in Pawn Stars **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090 "2011-01-26T20:23:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freemal2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/fbc32d/32.png) [@freemal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freemal2)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/1 "2011-01-26T20:23:35Z")
I have a question about the reality show Pawn Stars. On the show, Chumlee is routinely berated, cursed, humiliated etc. by his friends and employers. The premise is that Chumlee is a childhood friend of the owning family and works in the store. Do people think that this is real, scripted or something in between. Does Chumlee let them treat him that way so as to get his bit of fame and a pay check or do people think that it is all an act? Has anyone been to the store? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/2 "2011-01-26T20:26:29Z")
I’ve seen the show just a few times. But I think he provides the shop a very valuable service - he devalues everything that comes in by making fun of it. I bet he singlehandedly knocks 25% off everything he comments on. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/3 "2011-01-26T20:29:42Z")
As I have mentioned in other threads, I strongly suspect that _Pawn Stars_ and similar “reality” shows contain at least as much kayfabe as your average pro wrestling show. Possibly more. Chumlee simply can’t be as dimwitted as he appears to be. He’d forget to feed himself–which does not appear to be a problem so far. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/4 "2011-01-26T20:30:14Z")
I’ve been in plenty of groups of friends where berating each other is part of the friendship. And there’s usually one guy who gets it a lot worse then anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/5 "2011-01-26T20:35:40Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > As I have mentioned in other threads, I strongly suspect that _Pawn Stars_ and similar “reality” shows contain at least as much kayfabe as your average pro wrestling show. Possibly more. Chumlee simply can’t be as dimwitted as he appears to be. He’d forget to feed himself–which does not appear to be a problem so far. I know plenty of non-handicapped people who perform right around the Chumlee level. There’s obviously a lot of writing and editing involved in the show, but I have no problem believing that there are rough equivalents to Chumlee in a lot of workplaces you interact with every day. ---
**Author:** ![freemal2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/fbc32d/32.png) [@freemal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freemal2)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/6 "2011-01-26T22:05:06Z")
One of the things I find interesting about it is Chumlee is not just hanging out with friends or coworkers but is treated that way by his employers. If it is real or to a good degree real, then it seems he would have ample evidence of harrassment for a law suit. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/7 "2011-01-26T22:11:59Z")
> [@freemal2](#): > > If it is real or to a good degree real, then it seems he would have ample evidence of harrassment for a law suit. Doubtful. He’s likely signed a release in conjunction with his appearance on the show. Probably also makes more as “the village idiot” on the show than he could elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Library\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cab0a1/32.png) [@Library\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Library_Boy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/8 "2011-01-26T22:34:18Z")
I have read (sorry, no cite, can’t remember where) that of the many, many people employed by the shop, only a handful have buying authority, and Chumlee is one. Even if his dollar limit is lower than some, I would say that is a good clue that he is a little brighter than they show. Also, on one episode where Big Hoss needed to pass a quiz from Rick on objects in the store, it was Chumlee that he went to for assistance. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/9 "2011-01-26T22:51:45Z")
> [@Library\_Boy](#): > > I have read (sorry, no cite, can’t remember where) that of the many, many people employed by the shop, only a handful have buying authority, and Chumlee is one. > > Even if his dollar limit is lower than some, I would say that is a good clue that he is a little brighter than they show. > > Also, on one episode where Big Hoss needed to pass a quiz from Rick on objects in the store, it was Chumlee that he went to for assistance. Yeah, Chumlee may not know anything about 16th century weapons, but the store doesn’t deal only in antiques. That’s just all we see in the show. Chumlee is probably a lot more knowledgeable about modern things. He seems to know a lot about pinball machines too. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/10 "2011-01-26T22:53:46Z")
There is no way this show isn’t scripted to a T. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/11 "2011-01-26T23:45:23Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Chumlee is probably a lot more knowledgeable about modern things. He seems to know a lot about pinball machines too. He’s an idiot savant in the field of basketball shoes which seemed to surprise everyone else. I’m sure the Chumlee angle is played up for the cameras. I don’t doubt that there’s a kernel of truth in it but folks know that the “Haha, oh that Chumlee!” is part of the draw for the show. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/12 "2011-01-26T23:52:52Z")
Minor nitpick: I believe that nowadays, the word “idiot” is no longer used and it’s just _savant_. Correct me if I’m wrong. Also I bet Chumley sleeps with a CPAP. His audible breath sounds are indicative of that. Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/13 "2011-01-27T00:23:31Z")
He loves magic. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/14 "2011-01-27T01:13:21Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Yeah, Chumlee may not know anything about 16th century weapons, but the store doesn’t deal only in antiques. That’s just all we see in the show. Chumlee is probably a lot more knowledgeable about modern things. He seems to know a lot about pinball machines too. He did OK with the late-70s boombox. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/15 "2011-01-27T02:28:06Z")
Unfortunately I can’t find it online, but there was an interview with Chumlee in _Rolling Stone_, and he definitely seemed much more intelligent than he does on the show. Most people who claim to have met him at the shop say pretty much the same thing – that he plays that way for the cameras. ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/16 "2011-01-27T03:04:49Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Most people who claim to have met him at the shop say pretty much the same thing – that he plays that way for the cameras. I think Chumlee is the most liked, the most loved, and has the most fans of anyone else on the show. Everybody I know who goes to Vegas wants to get a photo of themselves with Chumlee ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/17 "2011-01-27T03:47:07Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Minor nitpick: I believe that nowadays, the word “idiot” is no longer used and it’s just _savant_. Hey, I’m talking about Chumlee here, not writing a psychology study. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/18 "2011-01-27T03:53:12Z")
Since Chumlee gets more exposure on that show than Big Hoss, the owner’s own frickin’ son, I’d say he’s doing pretty well for himself. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/19 "2011-01-27T04:20:30Z")
I read somewhere on the Dope that he’s actually a classically-trained stage actor. It’s all an act. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2011, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090/20 "2011-01-27T04:42:56Z")
I watch the show regularly, and he is frequently telling very subtle jokes under the guise of being dumb. I have no doubt that he’d do better on Jeopardy than any of the other cast members except maybe on the subject of antiques. He is easily the most interesting character, but I do think that it is just a character. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chumlee-in-pawn-stars/569090.md?page=2)