# Re TV show "Hardcore Pawn" - Is this show real or mainly scripted? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 27, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470 "2011-12-27T00:20:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/1 "2011-12-27T00:20:24Z")
[Re Hardcore Pawn](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_Pawn). Some of the on the floor action seems real, but some of the confrontations seem so over the top you’re thinking it’s got to to be scripted with actors. I weant online to read various comments and while some think it’s scripted a number of people who work in that Detroit 8 Mile area indicate that insane over the top behavior is exactly the way a lot of people behave. What say you? [Videos 1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epzy7bwBCS4) ---
**Author:** ![Haredye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/22d042/32.png) [@Haredye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haredye)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/2 "2011-12-27T00:36:30Z")
I say that anyone who wastes their time watching this show is debilitated mentally. No, I’ve never watched the show, the description alone was enough for me to know the show is full of 'tard. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/3 "2011-12-27T00:47:59Z")
> [@astro](#): > > a number of people who work in that Detroit 8 Mile area indicate that insane over the top behavior is exactly the way a lot of people behave. ^this. I have a friend who says he’s familiar with the area. He watched the show and was not in any way surprised at the insanity of some customers. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/4 "2011-12-27T00:48:24Z")
I don’t think it’s scripted, but I do think people go down there looking for their 5 minutes of fame and might act appropriately over the top to make the edit. On the other hand, sometimes they are just being themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/5 "2011-12-27T01:11:37Z")
> [@Haredye](#): > > I say that anyone who wastes their time watching this show is debilitated mentally. > > No, I’ve never watched the show, the description alone was enough for me to know the show is full of 'tard. I reported this post. It seems out of line. I do live in the area and have never even heard of the place before the show. I can’t speak for the show, but I assume they film special items/cases over again for the show. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/6 "2011-12-27T01:20:34Z")
> [@Haredye](#): > > I say that anyone who wastes their time watching this show is debilitated mentally. > > No, I’ve never watched the show, the description alone was enough for me to know the show is full of 'tard. This is what is known technically as threadshitting – when you come into a thread for the sole purpose of declaring that you are better than the subject under discussion and to denigrate those participating in that discussion. It is against the rules. Don’t do it again. No warning issued. **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/7 "2011-12-28T00:21:50Z")
In looking arond the net and seeing multiple examples of wireless mikes sticking out of the back of supposedly “out of control” customers I have to conclude it looks pretty scripted. ---
**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:** [December 28, 2011, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/8 "2011-12-28T00:41:17Z")
Being on [del]Fals[/del]TruTV, they’re probably reenactments with attitudes ramped up for entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/9 "2011-12-28T02:16:58Z")
I don’t know if the specific situations on the show are real or scripted, but living in close proximity to Detroit I would not be at all surprised if they were real. there are a depressing number of people in the entire Detroit Metro area who seem to think that everyone else exists for the sole purpose of giving them what they want. ---
**Author:** ![notthatagain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@notthatagain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notthatagain)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/10 "2011-12-30T03:30:35Z")
I grew up (not!) and spent 40+ years living a tad north of 8 mile not far from that store (much closer to the trailer park in the movie ‘8 Mile’). The nature of the clientele and their aggressive behavior makes me remember how little I miss my hometown. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2011, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/11 "2011-12-30T03:44:34Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I don’t know if the specific situations on the show are real or scripted, but living in close proximity to Detroit I would not be at all surprised if they were real. there are a depressing number of people in the entire Detroit Metro area who seem to think that everyone else exists for the sole purpose of giving them what they want. I think a lot of people say that about just about everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![TriciaPV226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@TriciaPV226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriciaPV226)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/12 "2012-07-06T04:24:56Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [Re Hardcore Pawn](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_Pawn). Some of the on the floor action seems real, but some of the confrontations seem so over the top you’re thinking it’s got to to be scripted with actors. > > I weant online to read various comments and while some think it’s scripted a number of people who work in that Detroit 8 Mile area indicate that insane over the top behavior is exactly the way a lot of people behave. > > What say you? > > [Videos 1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epzy7bwBCS4) OK, so the episode where the young white guy acting like he’s black, who came in to pawn or sell a ring that is his GF, whose car he just happened to wreck which is why he needs the money now, so he tells the girl to step back and shut up, cuz men are talking, AND SHE DOES~~~!!! The pawn guy tells the punk not to treat a woman that way, and the punk starts going OFF!! They then escort the punk out of the store, and he is FU ing the camera, and the pawn guy, OK\< this is so FAKE!!!:dubious::smack: ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/13 "2012-07-08T20:14:10Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I don’t know if the specific situations on the show are real or scripted, but living in close proximity to Detroit I would not be at all surprised if they were real. there are a depressing number of people in the entire Detroit Metro area who seem to think that everyone else exists for the sole purpose of giving them what they want. Agreed. I also live in the Metro Detroit area, and worked at a place where I dealt with customers like this on a daily basis. I take the show with a grain of salt in that it wouldn’t surprise me if some, or even a lot, of the show is scripted but at the same time none of these blow-ups have been beyond the realm of possibility in my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Rubixcube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Rubixcube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubixcube)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/14 "2012-07-08T20:51:02Z")
Considering that this is the same channel that proudly boasts the likes of _Operation Repo_ and _Lizard Lick Towing_ I would put my money on mostly or entirely staged/scripted. ---
**Author:** ![CodyBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba8739/32.png) [@CodyBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CodyBird)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/15 "2013-05-11T10:56:26Z")
A friend told me that his pal went to the American Jewelry and Loan location and was approached by someone who said “We are having a slow day, here is a script”. I really like the show and while that was disapointing, I knew it had to be somewhat “put on” . This is fake reality but so what? I would rather watch the Gold family fight amongst themselves at a pawn shop than housewives of “whatever” county. So TPTB would rather have less expensive actors and actresses in TV drama than scripted TV is what it boils down to. They get Joe Blow off the street to read a script and Joe is happy that he got on TV. What is the harm? I am entertained by the show and isn’t that why I am sitting in front of a tube? Also, don’t knock the show if you have not watched it. Try it - you might just get hooked. ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/16 "2013-05-11T18:40:37Z")
The harm is if it’s depicting Detroiters as basically animals I think… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/17 "2013-05-11T18:58:28Z")
> [@CodyBird](#): > > A friend told me that his pal went to the American Jewelry and Loan location and was approached by someone who said “We are having a slow day, here is a script”. > I really like the show and while that was disapointing, I knew it had to be somewhat “put on” . This is fake reality but so what? I would rather watch the Gold family fight amongst themselves at a pawn shop than housewives of “whatever” county. So TPTB would rather have less expensive actors and actresses in TV drama than scripted TV is what it boils down to. They get Joe Blow off the street to read a script and Joe is happy that he got on TV. What is the harm? I am entertained by the show and isn’t that why I am sitting in front of a tube? > Also, don’t knock the show if you have not watched it. Try it - you might just get hooked. A literal “friend of a friend” anecdote! ! ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/18 "2013-05-12T02:03:22Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > A literal “friend of a friend” anecdote! > ! And now we can all retell the story of a poster on a message board who had a friend who had a pal who… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Private\_Bin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c0e974/32.png) [@Private\_Bin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Private_Bin)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/19 "2013-05-12T08:30:19Z")
I heard that Stephen Fry once ate a Budgerigar, live. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2013, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470/20 "2013-05-12T12:28:21Z")
> [@Private\_Bin](#): > > I heard that Stephen Fry once ate a Budgerigar, live. Nah, it was taped in front of a live studio audience. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-tv-show-hardcore-pawn-is-this-show-real-or-mainly-scripted/607470.md?page=2)