Américars

Richard Rawlings is a marketing genius and smart businessman, but that's the only real part about this reality show. It's certainly entertaining, but the unrealistic deadlines and lipstick-on-a-pig tactics, don't exactly lend itself to actual high-end, quality-based builds. It's a highly scripted show created entirely for entertainment purposes, and not a real business that existed beforehand. Great fun for car enthusiasts, and nice projects for publicity sake, but I personally prefer shows that are a little more reality-based.

Started out great, focused on the cars and a little bit of extra b.s. Sadly it seems to be more focused on the deal of the car and clip shows now. I don't not care to watch guys sit around and comment on video clips already available on you-tube. Whether its real or staged listening to Richard 'deal' and try to get a car for nothing is annoying. I understand that's the point and how you make money in the business but telling the firebird owner that the cars are only worth 70k then later telling a buyer they are worth a few hundred thousand same condt is ridiculous. Again, probably just for TV but obviously there are some salesman out here that think he is an American hero (read previous post). Poor choice of words, especially from a salesman. Id rather see little to none of Richard, more of Aaron and more of Dennis, but of course producers like his persona on TV. I'm sure he is not as unlikable in person. All in all, love the show because it's in Texas, end result of cars is great, and other shop guys are fun to watch, but because of the direction the show has gone I certainly will no take time out of day to tune in. Record and watch later so I can fast forward.

I'm a fan of this show but it seems the latest series (2019) has lost its way a bit. It seems more serious than before and less fun?

First up I can't stand that Russell guy. Literally he is that typical American reality TV (if I shout a lot then it's entertaining) presenter...all he does is look smug, cross his arms constantly and goes everywhere with Richard.

He isn't even helpful with car builds. Instead of giving advice he just points out what is going wrong. Literally what does he do? I know, he must of bought shares in the show or invested money into it, as there's no way he is a good co presenter. It's like be read the rulebook on trying to be larger than life personality but he just comes across like a 'look at me I'm great' individual. Sack him pls.

Also not many episodes tbh and you can tell it's getting a Hollywood slick production now so it's not really for the car guys.

It had a good run and i gave it a 10 fro first 10 seasons and after season 11 i thought it started go down hill and finally was cancelled after 6 seasons of crap.

For all the haggling and worrying about money etc, Richard apparently receives $50k per episode from Discovery and if celebritynetworth is even remotely accurate, he's also worth about $15m, so he's scarcely on the breadline.

So to retain the Discovery contract, he needs to keep the viewer entertained and that doesn't happen by looking at the intimate aspects of a car build and the shop usually farms out work that they can't do anyway. So you don't watch the show to take notes as to what to do for your own '67 Fastback restoration job, no you watch the show to see the interaction between the people and be entertained. Christie & Sue are the real stars of the show. Christie never takes a backward step in front of the boss and Sue is just hilarious, "why you always bring me junk?"

You get the usual formulaic car show things, ie., check out the car, detract its worth, haggle on the price etc but the episodes zip along at a good pace and sometimes throw in some very clever spins (such as the Smokey & the Bandit episode) and the few cameo's the show has along the way.

Richard is actually quite an astute businessman though & the show has followed the growth of Gas Monkey from a rented space at Phipps Automotive to his own premises, to opening his own restaurant & then taking Tom Smith, his most engaging employee/star (outside of Aaron), "firing" him, and hey, look, Richard's producing a show called "Misfit Garage" about Tom & Jordan's rival set up, "Fired Up Garage", who, surprise surprise, are renting the space at Phipps' once more....

Richard's no dummy and as long as he keeps me entertained with whatever show he has, I'll keep watching and laughing.

If you want a serious car show, I'm sure they exist somewhere but this isn't it.

Now, where's my beer assistant?