True; but then, so is the whole Chumlee character. Buddy of Corey or not, he couldn’t possibly be as much of a screwup as he’s portrayed and keep his job.
Did they just add Olivia to the show to sex things up or were their complaints about a lack of women being on the show?
They had a woman named Peaches in the earlier seasons. I don’t know what happened to her.
Reading Rick’s book certainly helps explain a lot things. He openly admits that the bits are all staged (they no longer even greet customers and only come out for staged sales). He also claims that they can’t show a pawn without the person pawning the items consent.
I think they were a seriously nickle and dime operation until the show kicked them to a new level. Apparently the store is in a rough part of town and they usually only get desperate people there particularly at the night window.
I’d call the neighborhood “seedy” as opposed to “rough,” but it was the show that made them big-time.
Chumlee is the comic relief. Every show needs a clown, and I doubt any of the Harrisons were willing to play that role.
I will confess to being curious about the old man - or, as he’s invariably called on the show, the Old Man. He served in the Navy, and then opened the pawn shop, eventually taking in his son and grandson into the business. He is one tough negotiator.
He looks seriously old school - I could see him consorting with old-time Vegas heavyweights, both legit and mobbed-up.
They didn’t open the shop in Vegas until the late 80s.
I’ve noticed that when they buy anything of value, there’s always two of them there together. It also appears that their hands are close enough to touch. I’d imagine that so they can signal eachother.
I’m disappointed they didn’t bother to learn to spell Bat’leth.
My husband visited the store while visiting his parents in Vegas and Chum Lee was actually there. Just briefly though, then he wandered off. Maybe they are required to show up occasionally for the fans to see.
Hubby said what they never show you is the pawn section is only 50% of the store. The rest is merchandising (t-shirts, souvenirs, etc.) although I’m sure the warehouse is big.
Rick’s Restorations, on the other hand, personally led around a tourist group through the place, and then posed for photos before saying he had to get back to work that he was in the middle of, that were future projects from future episodes, so no one was allowed to take pictures. I have a spoiler even for a future episode but I don’t think I can post it.