In theory, Pawn Stars is about people who sell or pawn items (mostly the former). This often involves staged moments where someone brings in a rare and possibly expensive item, leading to some clumsy, states-the-obvious exposition ("Steve McQueen was cool!"). Where the show succeeds or fails is based on the people who work in the story. The Harris family. "The Old Man" is the perpetually crotchety grandfather who knows best and never lets anyone else know otherwise; son Rick, with a welcoming smile and a hearty nicotine chuckle, is the gruff-but-fair owner and the show's main representative to viewers; grandson Corey, who has little patience with anyone around him, is the sour apple of the bunch, rude and annoying in some ways, but in others, refreshing, as he is far from TV-friendly casting. Then there's Chumlee, the official comic relief, stupid and silly but kind at heart.
The show is incredibly formulaic. The museum man in the hat will stop in to give a lecture. Rick/Corey will go out and shoot a gun/cannon/get Chumlee to shoot a gun. Old Man will grouse about expensive tastes and not being included. Chumlee will stand around with his eyes closed and mouth hanging open.
With predictable material, the show rests on the entertainment value of the regulars. The Old Man is always good for a laugh, mostly because he's kept in a low-key role, and is there just enough to add some punch to the usual squabbling or posturing. The weakest is Chumlee, who only works well in group settings. The "comedy" stories where he leads, especially when he supposedly has to train new employees, are unwatchable.
Pawn Stars is a very solid show which, with a few tweaks, could be even better.
The show is incredibly formulaic. The museum man in the hat will stop in to give a lecture. Rick/Corey will go out and shoot a gun/cannon/get Chumlee to shoot a gun. Old Man will grouse about expensive tastes and not being included. Chumlee will stand around with his eyes closed and mouth hanging open.
With predictable material, the show rests on the entertainment value of the regulars. The Old Man is always good for a laugh, mostly because he's kept in a low-key role, and is there just enough to add some punch to the usual squabbling or posturing. The weakest is Chumlee, who only works well in group settings. The "comedy" stories where he leads, especially when he supposedly has to train new employees, are unwatchable.
Pawn Stars is a very solid show which, with a few tweaks, could be even better.