13 Things You Didn’t Know About The Pawn Stars
Here’s an article from the Huffington Post written earlier this year. It’s a good read for some good information. This might even answers some questions that you didn’t even know that you had!
The back room of the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop looks exactly as “Pawn Stars” fans might expect, with one very notable exception: one massive wall is lined, floor to ceiling, with boxes and boxes (and boxes) of t-shirts. Since the debut of the hugely popular reality show “Pawn Stars” (Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on History) in 2009, it seems everyone wants to walk around with images of fan favorite Chumlee emblazoned across their chests.
He’s the resident clown of the most famous little pawn shop on Las Vegas Boulevard and has become an unlikely pop culture icon, with sales of all Chumlee-related merchandise far surpassing everyone else’s. Rick Harrison, the affable pawnbroker who anchors the show, has his own theory that might explain Chumlee’s mass appeal: “Kids love Chumlee because he’s the adult that they’re smarter than,” he quipped with a laugh to The Huffington Post at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas.
Rick’s son Corey, another fixture on the show, agrees. “People love to see that a guy like Chumlee made it,” he said. “Everybody loves an underdog.”
The beloved show has attracted a loyal audience that spans multiple demographics. People tune in to see everything from what kind of rare artifacts will come through the door to what sassy new insult The Old Man has in store for Chumlee. “He talks like he’s in the Navy,” said Chumlee of the Old Man’s frequent barbs directed towards him.
As we dive into the sixth season, we’ve compiled a list of 13 things you probably didn’t know about the “Pawn Stars” with a little help from Rick, Corey, Chumlee and Rick’s book, “License to Pawn.” (Sadly, The Old Man wasn’t around during our visit.)
1. “Pawn Stars” is the no. 2 most-watched reality show in North America. (“Jersey Shore” holds the top spot.)
2. The guys can’t actually work the counter anymore because of privacy laws. Since they’ve become celebrities, people are constantly taking pictures of them, compromising the privacy of whoever’s at the pawn counter. “Now I’ll meet a guy in the hallway,” said Corey.
3. PBS did a documentary on Rick and the shop in 2001. “I’ve always been a media whore,” Rick said, laughing. When business spiked after the special aired, Rick started to shop the idea of a TV show around. HBO expressed interest early on and even developed a pilot, but their focus was on the more depressing side of the pawn business, which wasn’t the angle Rick wanted to pursue.
4. Corey and Chumlee have personal assistants now. “I do a lot of desert racing. My assistant empties out the septic tank of the trailer when I go! It’s a little weird asking somebody to do that for you,” said Corey with a laugh.
5. Chumlee’s done a lot of dumb things on camera, but his dumbest move of all time (according to Corey) happened before the show’s inception. After someone came in to pawn a stand-up bass, Chumlee leaned it against a shelf and walked away. The bass fell and shattered into pieces. Chumlee put the pieces into a box, and put the pawn number on the box. When the man came to pick it up, he opened the box and saw his bass in pieces. “He started freaking out,” Corey recalled. “He pawned it for $700, and it wound up costing us $20,000 because it turned out to be rare.” Chumlee, for his part, can’t explain his actions. “I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said.
6. Rick has always been a serial entrepreneur. At one point, he even bought a Quizno’s franchise that Corey and Chumlee ran together.
7. Corey’s brother Adam used to work at the shop, too — but you’re probably not going to see him on the show anytime soon. “Most likely not. He’s a plumber now,” Corey said. Is Adam envious of Corey’s newfound fame? “I think there has to be some type of jealousy,” Corey mused.
8. The most dangerous thing Chumlee has ever tested? One of the blunderbusses. “A flame shot out, and I did get burned up my arm,” Chumlee recalled.
9. ”Pawn Stars” was originally set to be called “Pawning History,” until someone at the production company threw out its current name.
10. ”Pawn Stars” has become an international phenomenon, airing in dozens of countries around the world, from Singapore to Serbia. Fun fact: In Germany, the show is called “Die Drei vom Pfandhaus” (“The Three of the Pawnshop”).
11. Chumlee has pretty awesome taste in TV shows: He doesn’t miss “Boardwalk Empire,” “Sons of Anarchy” or “Breaking Bad.” Rick, on the other hand, would rather be reading. “Television is so mind-numbing to me,” he said.
12. Jon Bon Jovi once requested to meet the guys. “We went to his meet n’ greet to meet his kids because they wanted a picture with us,” said Chumlee. “He gave us front row tickets. That was pretty cool. When does Bon Jovi personally invite you to his show?”
13. Since the show debuted, Rick gets shooed away from a lot of garage sales and swap meets because people are worried about his shrewd negotiating skills. “Last year I stopped by a yard sale and asked a lady about a painting,” he said. “She recognized who I was and took it away and said, ‘It’s not for sale!’ [Laughs.]
Season 6 of “Pawn Stars” airs at 10 p.m. ET on History in the US, and premieres on March 13 on History Television in Canada.
20 comments on “13 Things You Didn’t Know About The Pawn Stars”
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I would love to meet these guys and I wonder why they choose to do a show about their pawn shop? I would like to visit the pawn shop just to see what they have in it, maybe I’ll even buy something really awesome! Thanks for the great read!
-Greetings – My wife and I watch your episodes as often as possible. When I was 15, growing up in Boston, MA, I had a part-time job, working after school ina downtown Boston pawnshop. It was located on Columbus Av, six blocks from Mass. Av, where the city buses ran. So, I had to get off the city bus, and walk six blocks to the pawn shop, through the alleys and bars, etc. Then I had to walk the return route late at night, never did get jumped or mugged. We mostly dealt in men’s clothes and jewelry, and out customers were winos, prostitutes and some tough people. After doing 4 yrs in the Air Force, adn 35 years in police work, I still look back at the pawn shop work experience as my best learning experience.
Regards,
Jay Leman. Central Florida /ret.
How can I get a shirt of Chumlie lol
hi guys, i think your show is so cool,i think i am addicted to it,i watch it at home at work, rick you know how to haggle for prices, i love to watch the old man, he speaks his mind, and i got to ask did the guy who sold corey that hot air baloon bring rick his 38,ooo dollars keep upthe good work guys your the best
I just can’t get enough of the guys….thank you for posting this article!
Love the show, driving from new york state to see them next year 2013…CANT WAIT!!
I AM GOING TO BE IN LAS VEGAS NEXT OCTOBER AND I HAVE TO HAVE A PICTURE OF THE BUILDING FOR MY DAUGTHER ROSINA OF 10 YEARS OLD.SHE IS YOUR BIGGEST FAN IN MEXICO SHE WONT BE WITH US BECAUSE ITS OUR HONEY MOON AFTER 30 YEARS. SHE REALLY LIKES YOU MORE THAN CARTOONS STRANGER,BUT TRUE.GOD BLESS YOU
i just love your show and love all the actors keep up the good work, and keep GOD in your lives. thanks for a great show
I <3 the show. Its really informative and funny. Ricks laugh, kills me! Lol
i must watch about 10 episodes aday since i discovered it about a month ago its by far the best thing on the tele i watch it all day and repeats the guys are bloody hilarious
great guys that have great pop and great naturally lead Pawn Stars program
Awesome show, truly amazing facts + comedy to spice things up!
Greetings from Finland
I have a Soul Train Jacket from the 70′
and very old Comic Books from the 60′s on up…
I’m looking to $ale these items.
p.s.
please contact me if possible.
Thank You,
rundy
hey guys … was just down this past week your dad was in hawaii and u boys were out also .. sorta bummed but understandable with new rules and all … dedicated fan keep up the awsome work maybe one day ill have a chance to meet you guys … chow for now from ottawa canada …
My husband and I will be in Vegas in late October and would like to visit the shop. If we stay over on Saturday, Oct. 27th, will it be open and what are the chances of any of the TV gang being there?
You guys are the best thing on tv! Chumlee rocks!!
Big Hoss commented on one of the shows that his grandfather, on his mothers side, is the brother of Virginia Hill (Tabby, after her cat). My father was Mutt (Jim Hill) which would have been your grand uncle on your mothers side. Your mother is my first cousin. We stayed in contact with all the brothers/sisters of Tabby so your Grandfather must be Chick who ended up in jail after we all went to Europe including your Aunt Virginia.
Love this show down under here in Australia! We also get the ‘other’ detroit pawn show but your’s kicks arse! You blokes are all so knowledgable and professional Would love to have Rick in my corner when I go to buy my next bike! You can’t help but love Chumlee. He’s like a kitten stuck in a drainpipe-doesn’t know how he got there but would probably go back in once rescued!
Thorougly entertaining, interesting and will keep watching as long as your on!
I made it to Las Vegas today, and I’m going to be here for a week. I have been looking forward to visiting the pawn shop in person and meeting these great bunch of guys. Chumlee, you the man.
The family loves this show, its just recently when we started watching but immediately got hooked. Now it’s a part of our viewing routine to watch these guys