CBS TV: "Undercover Boss" will feature MGM Grand executive
March 21st, 2011 at 4:03:10 PM
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A COO would not be recognizable on the floor unless the employees went regularly to the website to look at the executives. But given that the rumour was floating around, it's likely that staff were in on it.
I remember once after a fire drill of going on the elevator with the CEO of the company I used to work for when I was fairly new there. I made a really dumb comment / joke and my colleagues just started laughing not because the joke was funny but because I was sharing the elevator with the CEO.
I remember once after a fire drill of going on the elevator with the CEO of the company I used to work for when I was fairly new there. I made a really dumb comment / joke and my colleagues just started laughing not because the joke was funny but because I was sharing the elevator with the CEO.
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You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
March 21st, 2011 at 4:39:08 PM
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No fist bumping in any indian joint I've ever been in, and frankly, I was amazed they were doing it. Touching the dealer has always been a big no no. In fact, its a ploy Richard Marcus used in the 90's to confuse the dealer so he could make his cheat move. He'd grab the dealers wrist and his accomplice would past post. The dealer was always startled that somebody touched him.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 5:17:15 PM
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I get fist-bumped at the Rio several times a night. But it's because I'll put a bet out for the dealers and when I win, they win, and they celebrate my wins even when I don't have a bet out for them. I was quite surprised the first time a dealer initiated a fist bump because I thought all contact was forbidden, and I've even gotten an open-handed high five before.
Each of us is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.
Preparing for a fight about your bad decision is not as smart as making a good decision.
March 21st, 2011 at 5:48:41 PM
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The red Ferarri he was driving costs between 175K and 250K. What point was he trying to make by driving it for this show? They have to have a family car, probably an SUV. It would have been far better to be seen in that, instead of rubbing your good fortune in your employees faces by driving a car that costs 7 times what most of them make a year. I think the guy is a typical arrogant ivory tower exec. He has no idea what goes on down on the floor, where his salary is being brought in from the street. Just like the old plantation owners didn't know what was going on out in the cotton fields. Didn't know and didn't care.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 6:37:33 PM
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Seems to me like the guy worked his way up from the career. He's living the American dream. Why not flaunt success? As long as he didn't blow some executive for the job and truly worked his way up from the bottom, he's a true American. He's well aware of where his salary comes from and probably deserves it. Other corporations would probably pay him comparably for what he does.
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You want the truth! You can't handle the truth!
March 21st, 2011 at 6:43:03 PM
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Quote: boymimboSeems to me like the guy worked his way up from the career. He's living the American dream. Why not flaunt success?
Because in a depressed economy like we have, when you have employees who are hanging onto their jobs by a thread, it makes you look like an arrogant unfeeling jerk to flaunt your success in their faces, thats why. I resent him for doing it and I don't even work for the guy. I resent that they singled out 4 employees for the prizes, when they could have done something for everybody. The whole thing stinks.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 6:47:00 PM
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I find no fault in him owning or driving the expensive car.
He's entitled.
There's a difference between flaunting success and enjoying the status.
If anything, question his deserving (or not) that status and/or salary.
He's entitled.
There's a difference between flaunting success and enjoying the status.
If anything, question his deserving (or not) that status and/or salary.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 21st, 2011 at 7:26:39 PM
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Quote: DJTeddyBear
There's a difference between flaunting success and enjoying the status.
Yup, and he was clearly flaunting it by driving it for the show. Speaks volumes about the guy. He's giving the Bronx cheer to his employees, which is certainly his right. He's just what every casino exec has the rep for, being an out of touch 'I could care less about the little guy' jerk. One of my oldest friends from HS owned a sports drink company in the 90's until he sold it. He had one of those specially made Corvette's, the one they build just for you that has a huge engine in it. Gordon Liddy has one. He never ever drove it to his factory because he said his employees already thought he was a rich assxxxx, why throw it in their faces. Instead he drove a beat up 10 year old van and saved the Vette for the golf course and the workout gym. I rode in it once and it scared me to death. Not as bad as when my buddy got a '67 Chevelle SS 427 and got rubber in all 4 gears and the G force on me was so great I couldn't move as he went thru the gears. He had it for exactly one summer, because he lost his license for speeding in only 4 months. Oh to be young and stupid again.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 8:00:58 PM
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EvenBob, I think you're confusing casino execs with highly paid government officials.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
March 21st, 2011 at 8:07:13 PM
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I don't see anything wrong with driving his exotic car and flaunting it. The guy's a big success in a city of excess. When you go to the Palms on weekends where some hip-hop star or NFL player is featured for something, the valet is loaded with 6-figure cars, and the only purpose is to flaunt (and get the ladies). If he did it in Marshalltown, Iowa or Hickory, NC then I'd say he was being obnoxious. But not in LV.
March 21st, 2011 at 8:07:19 PM
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Quote: rxwineEvenBob, I think you're confusing casino execs with highly paid government officials.
They take limo's to work, they don't drive Ferrari's.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 10:01:16 PM
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I also question the validness of the players.
I missed some of the show did he get his dealers cert? If I remember when the Internet guys who bought the GN had a show one of them was fined for dealing a game to a celeb while not being licensed.
I missed some of the show did he get his dealers cert? If I remember when the Internet guys who bought the GN had a show one of them was fined for dealing a game to a celeb while not being licensed.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 21st, 2011 at 10:15:45 PM
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Quote: Wavy70
I missed some of the show did he get his dealers cert? If I remember when the Internet guys who bought the GN had a show one of them was fined for dealing a game to a celeb while not being licensed.
It was all faked, the people playing were part of the show. There was no real money involved, no license needed. 98% of what you see on a reality show is faked and planned and rehearsed, nothing is left to chance. The producers are on a schedule, there's no time for chance. They might have even known he was the boss, the lady who went to the funeral home every week didn't look or act surprised in the least when she found out the truth. Her body language didn't change at all.
Here's how most reality shows work. The participants are given loose outlines of how the producers want everything to go. They coach people on what to say and how to act. And they'll film a scene over and over, and go back and re-shoot a scene days later. So much for reality, huh. You never hear about it, because to appear onscreen you have a to sign a nondisclosure agreement and they'll sue your pants off if you break it.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 21st, 2011 at 11:23:29 PM
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I didn't watch due to lack of interest because as I and most here know, 'reality' TV is a sham. But as a car guy, and since many comments have been made on the subject, I'll toss two cents in that direction.
If you ask a regular, blue blood, middle class car guy about Ferrari's, you'll invariably get two reasons to own one, 1) to go fast, or 2) to be a pompous douchebag. If you were to pose the same question to true car connoisseurs , you'll be asked "what kind of Ferrari"? If you answer that question with any of the true legends (1969 Ferrari 365 GTS4, 1959 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Spider, any Ferrari Dino) the answer is because the person is a truely classy person, rich in culture and tradition. If you reply with any other model, the answer is because he's a pompous douchebag.
What model was he driving again?
(For the record, if I had the money I'd buy something equally extreme, such as what was probably a Ligenfelter Corvette that Evenbob alluded to. But if I found a deal, I'd take a Ferrari F430 in a hearbeat, and that's MISTER 190mph Pompous Douchebag to you =P)
If you ask a regular, blue blood, middle class car guy about Ferrari's, you'll invariably get two reasons to own one, 1) to go fast, or 2) to be a pompous douchebag. If you were to pose the same question to true car connoisseurs , you'll be asked "what kind of Ferrari"? If you answer that question with any of the true legends (1969 Ferrari 365 GTS4, 1959 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Spider, any Ferrari Dino) the answer is because the person is a truely classy person, rich in culture and tradition. If you reply with any other model, the answer is because he's a pompous douchebag.
What model was he driving again?
(For the record, if I had the money I'd buy something equally extreme, such as what was probably a Ligenfelter Corvette that Evenbob alluded to. But if I found a deal, I'd take a Ferrari F430 in a hearbeat, and that's MISTER 190mph Pompous Douchebag to you =P)
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
March 21st, 2011 at 11:34:01 PM
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Quote: FaceI didn't watch due to lack of interest because as I and most here know, 'reality' TV is a sham. But as a car guy, and since many comments have been made on the subject, I'll toss two cents in that direction.
If you ask a regular, blue blood, middle class car guy about Ferrari's, you'll invariably get two reasons to own one, 1) to go fast, or 2) to be a pompous douchebag. If you were to pose the same question to true car connoisseurs , you'll be asked "what kind of Ferrari"? If you answer that question with any of the true legends (1969 Ferrari 365 GTS4, 1959 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Spider, any Ferrari Dino) the answer is because the person is a truely classy person, rich in culture and tradition. If you reply with any other model, the answer is because he's a pompous douchebag.
What model was he driving again?
(For the record, if I had the money I'd buy something equally extreme, such as what was probably a Ligenfelter Corvette that Evenbob alluded to. But if I found a deal, I'd take a Ferrari F430 in a hearbeat, and that's MISTER 190mph Pompous Douchebag to you =P)
I'd go for a Porsche you can drive it everyday and not look like a tool.
Many a year ago I am at the light next to a guy in his Lambo, he's revving and getting loud. I am in a Saturn SL (sweet) light turns he pegs it and stall's I tear away at 8mph.
I guess if I worked for a comp as big as MGM and the COO couldn't afford a 6 figure car I might be even more worried.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 21st, 2011 at 11:47:23 PM
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Quote: Wavy70...he pegs it and stall's I tear away at 8mph.
Damn it Wavy, it's 3am here and you just got me yelled at for LOL.
I too would always get those guys while out riding. Porsche's, Lotus', Bimmer's, Hot Rod's, rice-burnin tuner cars...anytime I'd stop next to one at a red light, here goes the revin' of the engine and out come the challenges out their window.
Light goes green and I sandbag it til about 80, then lift it into a wheelie and scream off into the distance. And I paid $8,500 for it brand new. Suckers.
"...tear away at 8mph" Oh, man! Priceless. Shoulda raced him for pinks lol.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
March 21st, 2011 at 11:56:15 PM
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Quote: FaceDamn it Wavy, it's 3am here and you just got me yelled at for LOL.
I too would always get those guys while out riding. Porsche's, Lotus', Bimmer's, Hot Rod's, rice-burnin tuner cars...anytime I'd stop next to one at a red light, here goes the revin' of the engine and out come the challenges out their window.
Light goes green and I sandbag it til about 80, then lift it into a wheelie and scream off into the distance. And I paid $8,500 for it brand new. Suckers.
"...tear away at 8mph" Oh, man! Priceless. Shoulda raced him for pinks lol.
Just cause you own the tool don't mean you know what to do w it.
I didn't know we were in a race till I won.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:16:59 AM
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I decided to Google the show just to see what general info I could find...anyway,
So, that refers to the first season, but now the cover story is a reality show - though not the one they are actually producing.
from here
Quote:UPDATE: CBS has contacted TV Squad to report that... "No one in the company is being paid for their participation on Undercover Boss. Neither the employees, the executives nor the companies receive compensation for participating in the show."
The workers appearing on the program have signed releases to be in a documentary film, not a television show. Presumably, that means it's not covered by AFTRA which requires minimum payments for TV appearances.
Undercover Boss producers have labeled the show a "formatted documentary" instead of a reality series. According to one of the producers, "It is absolutely normal to make a documentary about people going about doing their work and not pay compensation."
So, that refers to the first season, but now the cover story is a reality show - though not the one they are actually producing.
from here
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:19:30 AM
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Flava of Love was better.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:23:16 AM
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Quote: FaceLigenfelter Corvette
Every person I've ever known who owns a Vette is either an old bald guy or a douche bag or both. Except this Vette.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 22nd, 2011 at 4:49:48 AM
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Ding, ding, ding!Quote: Wavy70I guess if I worked for a comp as big as MGM and the COO couldn't afford a 6 figure car I might be even more worried.
My sentiments EXACTLY!
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:27:22 AM
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I'm sure you have all heard the term "crockumentary".
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:35:11 AM
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Uh-oh....I own a 2009 Vette
March 22nd, 2011 at 5:48:52 AM
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Quote: Face
What model was he driving again?
I watched the show and am an amateur armchair car guy as well, especially when it comes to exotics. He was driving a F430.
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:16:05 AM
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Quote: EvenBobHere's how most reality shows work. The participants are given loose outlines of how the producers want everything to go. They coach people on what to say and how to act. And they'll film a scene over and over, and go back and re-shoot a scene days later. So much for reality, huh. You never hear about it, because to appear onscreen you have a to sign a nondisclosure agreement and they'll sue your pants off if you break it.
I have to call you on this. What is your source?
My evidence to the contrary is that I played a major part in the reality show The Casino, in an episode that never aired. The premise was rather contrived, and major events were scheduled in advance. However, there were no actors, no scene was ever taped twice, no coaching, no dialogue. It is like how you might go about your day -- you know the major things you plan to do, but you don't plan the exact details how you do them.
In my case the plot of the episode was some UNLV fraternity students wanted a big flat screen TV. This was when there were still quite expensive, like $4000. They had only about $800, so wanted to play in the casino to get up to $4000 or go bust trying. So they sought out me as a gambling coach to maximize their odds of achieving their goal. The two parts I was a part of was some gambling lessons as the house of Max Rubin, and the actual gambling at the Golden Nugget. A picture from the former scene is on the back cover of my book.
I was just told where and when to show up both times. Nobody ever told me what to say, how to act, or asked to shoot a scene twice. Although the cameras and crew are there they don't interact with the participants. It is easy to forget they are there, and I think that is how the show likes it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 22nd, 2011 at 6:39:16 AM
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Quote: WizardMy evidence to the contrary is that I played a major part in the reality show The Casino, in an episode that never aired.
I've heard you tell that story, but I just never associated it with that particular reality show. Did you go to Red Rock for the party for the book release for Tom Breitling ?
Play video #16 on that page. It sounds funny to hear Tim Poster talk about "the laws of probability".
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:53:27 AM
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.....
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:31:26 AM
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I never figured out if those two were forced to sell out or not.
They had all these high rollers but high rollers are not under contract to keep playing there until the winnings are gone.
It was high rollers bankroll versus the casino's bankroll ... and perhaps it was simply that Lady Variance smiled favorably upon the high rollers.
Its sort of like having a roulette wheel where instead of some players being on one color and some on the other color and the house pretty much just taking the losers chips and giving them to the winners while wetting its beak with that twenty-six cents on every five dollars that was wager, the house had everybody on just one color ... and kept losing! Then all the high rolling winners picked up their marbles and went home.
Eventually the high rollers luck would indeed change ... but only IF they remained there at the table.
They had all these high rollers but high rollers are not under contract to keep playing there until the winnings are gone.
It was high rollers bankroll versus the casino's bankroll ... and perhaps it was simply that Lady Variance smiled favorably upon the high rollers.
Its sort of like having a roulette wheel where instead of some players being on one color and some on the other color and the house pretty much just taking the losers chips and giving them to the winners while wetting its beak with that twenty-six cents on every five dollars that was wager, the house had everybody on just one color ... and kept losing! Then all the high rolling winners picked up their marbles and went home.
Eventually the high rollers luck would indeed change ... but only IF they remained there at the table.
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:39:45 AM
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Quote: WizardI have to call you on this. What is your source?
My evidence to the contrary is that I played a major part in the reality show The Casino, in an episode that never aired. The premise was rather contrived, and major events were scheduled in advance. However, there were no actors, no scene was ever taped twice, no coaching, no dialogue. It is like how you might go about your day -- you know the major things you plan to do, but you don't plan the exact details how you do them.
In my case the plot of the episode was some UNLV fraternity students wanted a big flat screen TV. This was when there were still quite expensive, like $4000. They had only about $800, so wanted to play in the casino to get up to $4000 or go bust trying. So they sought out me as a gambling coach to maximize their odds of achieving their goal. The two parts I was a part of was some gambling lessons as the house of Max Rubin, and the actual gambling at the Golden Nugget. A picture from the former scene is on the back cover of my book.
I was just told where and when to show up both times. Nobody ever told me what to say, how to act, or asked to shoot a scene twice. Although the cameras and crew are there they don't interact with the participants. It is easy to forget they are there, and I think that is how the show likes it.
This is a similar experience to two of my friends who've been on reality shows (in the UK). The events are scripted to force a story, but the actual actions taken in response to those events are not. The makers will only use those events that make for a compelling storyline, and they'll do all sorts of things to get a good story, but overly scripted, repeated shots and the like don't happen, except in one case where they re-filmed a couple of scene setting shots afterwards (friend walking through town, person entering a building, etc).
I don't believe any NDA is so strong that people wouldn't blow the whistle on odd behaviour... too many people have been on reality shows, and I'm sure you free speech rights would cover the ability to talk about an experience you've been through.
It could all be different down there in the US of A, for sure.
"Then you can admire the real gambler, who has neither eaten, slept, thought nor lived, he has so smarted under the scourge of his martingale, so suffered on the rack of his desire for a coup at trente-et-quarante" - Honore de Balzac, 1829
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:50:14 AM
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Scripted, lightly scripted, unscripted?
Consider Sidney Poiter and Rod Steiger's scene in the movie In the Heat of the Night. Stirling Siliphant script from the novel by John Ball about a black homicide cop and a deep south cop who is white. Okay, now its supposed to be a summer in Mississippi but it was actually filmed in Autumn in Illinois but that scene in Gillespie's home was not scripted at all, not even suggest dialog or themes to be discussed.
Does that make the final product tainted in some manner? Or does that enhance it in some manner?
Those commercials that you see emblazoned "Hidden Camera" do not say "presence of camera unknown to subject being filmed".
Reality TV is about as real as anything in the world of entertainment.
Consider Sidney Poiter and Rod Steiger's scene in the movie In the Heat of the Night. Stirling Siliphant script from the novel by John Ball about a black homicide cop and a deep south cop who is white. Okay, now its supposed to be a summer in Mississippi but it was actually filmed in Autumn in Illinois but that scene in Gillespie's home was not scripted at all, not even suggest dialog or themes to be discussed.
Does that make the final product tainted in some manner? Or does that enhance it in some manner?
Those commercials that you see emblazoned "Hidden Camera" do not say "presence of camera unknown to subject being filmed".
Reality TV is about as real as anything in the world of entertainment.
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:55:26 AM
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Quote: thecesspit...except in one case where they re-filmed a couple of scene setting shots afterwards (friend walking through town, person entering a building, etc).
Survivor used paid actors dressed as the real "survivors" for some distant shots where the faces were not visible. There was a bit of a stir over it.
I'm not sure if you could call it a "reality show" but I was also on "The Vegas Challenge" where I competed with three other people in a tournament. After the tournament was over they redid some close-up shots. For example of the roulette wheel, and my hand placing bets.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 22nd, 2011 at 10:04:20 AM
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Quote: WizardSurvivor used paid actors dressed as the real "survivors" for some distant shots where the faces were not visible. There was a bit of a stir over it.
I'm not sure if you could call it a "reality show" but I was also on "The Vegas Challenge" where I competed with three other people in a tournament. After the tournament was over they redid some close-up shots. For example of the roulette wheel, and my hand placing bets.
I can believe it on the hand placing the bets, I would imagine that is hard to shoot. Like getting a pic of a hottie throwing dice at craps, I've been involved in those and they always require 5-6 takes to get it just so.
"The Simpsons" had a good spoof of "Survivor." The announcer mentions how all they are eating is rice, etc. Then they cut to commercial and you see the contestants eating nothing and a huge buffet for the crew.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
March 22nd, 2011 at 10:31:24 AM
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I watched the show and thought it was about as hokey as you can get. Tell me one place you played that would tolerate an idiot like that. Don't even try to pull some bs on the general public about that no one knew he was a boss of some kind operating position inside the corp. First they don't train new dealers on shifts that are that busy and don't allow him to screw up that bad. Maybe any other industry I can buy but not this one and not how it was portrayed. The real insult was like he really had some sort of genuine concern for the poor bastards that work for him. I hate it when tv is so far off base that it' like watching the Jerry Springer show when you don't want to.
March 22nd, 2011 at 7:27:18 PM
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It depends on the reality show. Things like American Chopper, Pawn Stars, Gold Rush Alaska, Sons of Guns, American Pickers, Ax Men, Ice Road Truckers, etc, are heavily scripted. Anytime the people in the show talk a lot, its been scripted. They work from outlines and lots of prompting from the producers. There are also lots of re-shot scenes. Even Deadliest Catch is scripted. For example, that fight they had around the burn barrel on the season opener last year was totally fake. All the yelling and screaming in the pilot house is done for the drama. Shows like Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, Billy the Exterminator, are more entertainment shows than reality, they have to be set up. The only real documentary type reality show on TV is the original, the one that started it all, Cops. You see it as it happened and they have to get a ton of film in the can for one 22min show because of it. Cops has been on since 1989 and it was a big deal, nothing like it had ever been done before. Reality TV was born. So many of them are scripted because real life is extremely boring, its mundane, and who wants to watch that. American Chopper has to be the worst. Its turned into a farce, all the faked fights between Jr and Sr, and the staged drama. How its still on the air is a mystery, there are lots of gullible people out there.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:41:52 PM
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Quote: EvenBobIt depends on the reality show...
How do you know all this? A source would be nice.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:32:03 PM
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Quote: WizardHow do you know all this?
How? Years of research. All I watch is reality TV, haven't seen a network show in maybe 7 years. I think that 'Boss' thing was the first since 2004 or so. I read blogs, articles, comments on articles, I've corresponded with players on the shows. Just get into it a little bit and you'll find most of these so called 'reality' shows are mostly made up fiction as far as the drama goes. Yes, they really fish and cut down trees and drive trucks on ice roads and own pawn shops and mine for gold and run auction houses and buy storage lockers and build motorcycles. Its just the dialog is coached and embellished, and the drama is contrived. The worst is most everything on TRUtv. They use pro actors in their reality shows, they don't mess around. Why do I not watch the networks? Its boring. On cable I learn things, I just have to ignore the drama. I must say, when the IRT drivers went to India last summer, it was the best reality show on TV. Very little contrived drama, the mountain roads were enough drama for anybody. How they all came back alive is a miracle. Somebody in India dies on the mountain roads where they filmed at the rate of 12 deaths an hour, 24/7.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 22nd, 2011 at 9:44:03 PM
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Hey Mike, you live in Vegas. Go down to Gold & Silver Pawn on a day their shooting an episode. The public is roped off and not allowed in. They have hand picked the person who's selling something and they rehearse the scene several times before its shot and will re-shoot it as many times as needed. I know this because there's people on blogs all over the place that talk about it. They were either a customer or an observer. I watch the show for the unusual stuff they find, I'm glad its scripted. Last time I was in Vegas I bought a ring from Chumlee, he's not nearly as stupid as he portrays himself on the show.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 22nd, 2011 at 10:53:59 PM
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<snip> misread a post.
"Then you can admire the real gambler, who has neither eaten, slept, thought nor lived, he has so smarted under the scourge of his martingale, so suffered on the rack of his desire for a coup at trente-et-quarante" - Honore de Balzac, 1829
March 22nd, 2011 at 11:00:49 PM
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Quote: EvenBobthey rehearse the scene several times before its shot and will re-shoot it as many times as needed.
I'd still like to see some harder proof of this. Not just unspecified things you've read or heard.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
March 22nd, 2011 at 11:29:39 PM
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It seems like it'd be easier to film a lot and edit out all the boring stuff. But to spice things up, you put reaction shots that were actually for something else, to provide a more interesting take. I think Survivor manipulates dramatic pauses during tribal council to emphasize one thing or another.
And you can show people who are angry or acting crazy a lot, by editing out all their calmer moments. This is what makes it "not reality" in my opinion, not that they are so heavily scripted, although no doubt that's used as well. I just can't see why you would need to bother that much with actual scripting.
And you can show people who are angry or acting crazy a lot, by editing out all their calmer moments. This is what makes it "not reality" in my opinion, not that they are so heavily scripted, although no doubt that's used as well. I just can't see why you would need to bother that much with actual scripting.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
March 22nd, 2011 at 11:34:57 PM
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Quote: WizardI'd still like to see some harder proof of this. .
Go and watch, you live in Vegas. Most of the stuff they get comes from all over the country. People write the producers and say they have a certain item and they'll be in Vegas at a certain date, and the producers tell them to come in if they think the item will make good TV. Its all set up, the experts they use as appraisers are told when to come in, and they sometimes have to shoot scenes half a dozen times because people mess up, get tongue tied, or forget what they wanted to say. They realized early on how popular Chumlee was, so now they've got him dumbed down to village idiot status. He still gets 3 times more fan mail than anybody else on the show. Notice how calm and cool and collected the sellers always are, like they're used to being a national TV show. Thats not an accident. Did you see the show with Bob Dylan? Chumlee wandered around the Strip looking for Dylan because Rick told him he was in town. And voila, he finds him. Yeah, right. I watch it because the people are likable and they have some cool stuff that comes in. You should see the house Rick lives in, its a dang mansion. The old man's house I've never seen, I'll bet its as big as Ricks.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:03:48 AM
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Quote: EvenBobI watch it because the people are likable and they have some cool stuff that comes in. You should see the house Rick lives in, its a dang mansion. The old man's house I've never seen, I'll bet its as big as Ricks.
I live in LV, and have been in G&S pawnshop a number of times. Place is waaaay smaller than is depicted on TV, and has waaaaay more employees than they show on TV. It's open 24/7, but the 4 guys are only in during the day, or when an interesting item is brought in and filming happens. The camera crew comes in for a week at a time and hides in a back room till someone brings in something of value. Camera crew asks if customer is willing to appear on TV, signs waiver, goes outside for his initial interview where he states "I brought in X, I'm hoping to get $X for it".
Often times when they film a customer in the parking lot, a brown Porsche Panamera is seen in the background. Now of course, they're all over town, but I noticed that car about a year ago on the show when I had only seen it in car magazines. I'm guessing it's Rick's, since it's seen in many episodes, although he drives a big truck when on camera. LV Weekly here did a story few months ago saying each of those 4 main characters make well over $100k per year, even Chumlee. Chum and Corey have been interviewed on Leno and other shows, and yeah, he's not as dumb as he is on the show, despite the tats and belly. Rick has strict rules about who can appear on camera, like his wife (Corey's ma) and Rick's other kids, and other employees. Rick had been pitching this show all over cable for a few years before History Channel picked it up, and now they've signed for several more seasons. The TRUtv Hardcore Pawn ripoff is absolutely terrible in comparison. It's like the Jerry Springer equivalent, featuring the most ignorant black loser customers in Detroit. Is HP scripted?...or are those uppity black customers really that idiotic with their ebonics and poor grammar? I don't know, but it surely perpetuates a stereotype to which History Channel would never lower themselves.
btw, Corey's been in a bit of trouble lately throwing his weight around at the wrong people.
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
March 23rd, 2011 at 12:52:25 AM
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Quote: zippyboyThe TRUtv Hardcore Pawn ripoff is absolutely terrible in comparison. It's like the Jerry Springer equivalent, featuring the most ignorant black loser customers in Detroit. Is HP scripted?...or are those uppity black customers really that idiotic with their ebonics and poor grammar? I don't know, but it surely perpetuates a stereotype to which History Channel would never lower themselves.
I hate it when they get "uppity".
BTW Ebonics is an uppity E.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:01:28 AM
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Quote: zippyboyThe camera crew comes in for a week at a time and hides in a back room till someone brings in something of value.
.
They might have done that in the very beginning, but not anymore. You could literally wait weeks for something interesting to come in. They get calls and emaisl from hundreds of viewers now who have great stuff to sell and they can pick and choose what to put on the show. I suspect a lot of it comes from SoCal, but I read about something that came all the way from Australia. If they didn't do it that way, they would have lines of people with their junk there every day just to get on the show. They have greatly expanded the building, don't know if its open yet. They have pissed off lots of fans because on filming days you can't get in the store and security can be really rude about it. If you watch the show on a regular basis, when they show B-roll (stuff that was filmed as filler) the shop is packed with customers. Yet when they are shooting a sale, theres maybe 10 customers in the whole store. And they're never fat guys in shorts, they're always hip looking people who look like they have money. I wonder if the 100K a year includes what History Channel pays them? Rick and the old man make far more than 100K a year running the store. Reality make a fraction of what network stars make. I would think they make somewhere in the 5K per episode category. They depend on the free publicity for their business for the majority of their income. A few years ago Sr, on American Chopper, was grossing over a million a year just from selling OCC collectibles on the internet. He had 7 employees just doing that 6 days a week.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:10:22 AM
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Quote: zippyboy
btw, Corey's been in a bit of trouble lately throwing his weight around at the wrong people.
Not a surprise, people who knew him in HS say he was big fat bully. He thinks he's a tatoo'd Harley riding badass, and now with his head swollen from the show, god knows where he'll end up. His dad is always lamenting he has to leave the store to him some day. Bad idea, Big Hoss has no work ethic, and almost no brains. Chumlee is actually smarter than he is.
The Wiz asks 'how do you know all this' and what just happened is a good example of how I know. I had no idea Big Hoss was in trouble, now I do. When you get to know people on the forums and blogs, new info is always being ferreted out and confirmed and you eventually can draw an accurate picture of what goes on in every show. These people are accessible, people know them and write about them. The amount of info about reality shows on the net is staggering.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:18:26 AM
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Quote: Wavy70
I hate it when they get "uppity".
BTW Ebonics is an uppity E.
If you've even seen the show, "uppity" is the best adjective, whether racist or not.
Guess you put me in my place with the capitalization lessons, or, as the customers on Hardcore Pawn would say, "Why you doggin' me bitch? I TOL' you, why you gots to be dissin' me, dogg? Sheeeeeit, muthafuckah!"
It's worth a look for a laugh, but don't expect any 200 year old manuscripts to show up like on Pawn Stars. Cameras spend more time on belligerent jr. high school dropouts who want to return merchandise without a receipt that they obviously broke, and a nasty loud woman who whines that her newly bought $20 laptop has a smudge on the screen that could easily be wiped off, but feels the guy behind the counter should pull out the Windex and do it his-DAMN-self. This warrants about 4 minutes of airtime. Scripted? Who knows? If you like Jerry Springer, you'll looooove this show.
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:20:56 AM
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Quote: FaceIf you reply with any other model, the answer is because he's a pompous douchebag....I'd take a Ferrari F430 in a hearbeat, and that's MISTER 190mph Pompous Douchebag to you =P)
Quote: cellardoorHe was driving a F430.
See? Called it. I used F430 because there's really only two reasons to have such a car. You go to Laguna Seca for track days and dont want to bother with a truck and trailer, or you're a d-bag. I sure nailed that one on the head. (purely my opinion, of course)
Quote: gofaster87Im assuming you're talking about being on a bike. Lets not lump all Japanese cars with ricers. My former Evo has beaten plenty of bikes and exotics but it also helps to have 600-800 AWHP out of a 2.4 liter(depending on gas used.) Having an exotic doesnt make anybody a douche. I definitely would buy a Ferrari 430 or Porsche GT2/GT3 if I had the money but Im also an enthusiast. I think I would go with an Aston Martin though, beautiful cars.
'Rice-burner' to me is in no way an insult. If I didn't have toys that required a pick 'em up truck (japanese ones, at that), I'd be driving a WRX. How could I possibly find fault with 300-800hp for less than the price of a stock Vette? Give me a Datsun 240Z with one of them R32 Skyline engines in it and there's hardly a car in the world I'd trade it for.
And having an exotic doesn't necessarily make you a douche, but it sure raises some red flags. Takes it to the track? Man's man. Only drives it to places where he'll be 'seen'? D-bag. Throws on an illegal exhaust and carbon brakes? Man. "Exhaust? Will it affect my vanity plates?" Bag. Close ratio tranny with racing clutch? Man. "Clutch? But mine's an automatic!" Lord of all Bags. Just my opinion and who cares anyways. It's a free country and anyone may do as they please. If I had the money I'd buy whatever I wanted and to hell with anyone who didn't like. So if you ever see a mud splattered DB9 towing a fishing rig or with a deer strapped to the roof, know that the Face finally hit the jackpot.
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:22:45 AM
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Quote: EvenBobQuote: zippyboy
btw, Corey's been in a bit of trouble lately throwing his weight around at the wrong people.
Not a surprise, people who knew him in HS say he was big fat bully. He thinks he's a tatoo'd Harley riding badass, and now with his head swollen from the show, god knows where he'll end up. His dad is always lamenting he has to leave the store to him some day. Bad idea, Big Hoss has no work ethic, and almost no brains. Chumlee is actually smarter than he is.
The Wiz asks 'how do you know all this' and what just happened is a good example of how I know. I had no idea Big Hoss was in trouble, now I do. When you get to know people on the forums and blogs, new info is always being ferreted out and confirmed and you eventually can draw an accurate picture of what goes on in every show. These people are accessible, people know them and write about them. The amount of info about reality shows on the net is staggering.
Where did he go to HS? I may have knew him.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:26:54 AM
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Quote: zippyboyScripted? Who knows? If you like Jerry Springer, you'll looooove this show.
Its not only scripted its mostly paid actors, TRU is shameless. I saw an ep of the repo team where when and repo'd a truck from some Mexican drug dealers out in the country. As they were pulling away, the drug dealers came out and started firing their guns at the repo guys. I mean like 6 of them. It was hilarious, they never even batted an eye, it was just another day in the repo biz, having guns fired at you. And we're not supposed to question the fact that the camera was BEHIND the gunman as they were firing, filming the whole thing. What a crock that network is.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 23rd, 2011 at 1:27:38 AM
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Quote: zippyboyIf you've even seen the show, "uppity" is the best adjective, whether racist or not.
Guess you put me in my place with the capitalization lessons, or, as the customers on Hardcore Pawn would say, "Why you doggin' me bitch? I TOL' you, why you gots to be dissin' me, dogg? Sheeeeeit, muthafuckah!"
I have seen the show and by your post they seem to have found the "niche" they wanted.
I have a bewitched egg that I use to play VP with and I have net over 900k with it.
