Pawn Stars seems to run on the same schedule as the city it is set in. The show has become a 24/7 phenomenon in Las Vegas.
“Honestly, when I look back 13 years ago when this all started, I thought we were finished by now,” Austin “Chumlee” Russell says of his years on the history show at Gold & Silver Pawn. “I thought if anything I would do my own stupid show. But we still do ‘Pawn Stars’ and I love it. Every year is better than the year before.”
Chumlee has considered his own spin-off projects, but none of them have made it into the story. He has no interest in competing with the success of Pawn Stars.
“I was on the producing side and thought I had a show that would sell well, but it didn’t work out. People like the show as it is,” says Chumlee. “I don’t know where a spin-off of mine would fit in on History. I don’t think they want me to go anywhere (laughs). Besides, who wants to do all that work?”
Filming of the show is certainly going more smoothly today than it did at the beginning.
“It’s like a well-oiled machine. It’s become easier,” says Chumlee. “What used to take us four or five hours, we can now do in an hour. We know what’s expected and that’s what makes it so fun.”
“Even if I don’t do Pawn Stars for a month or two, I’m ready to get back into it.”
Pawn Stars is back with a new season on Saturday at 9 p.m. It will be the 19th season, although even History has almost given up counting each individual season, as the series airs multiple seasons simultaneously around the world.
Even more impressive is that “Pawn Stars” is still successful after its debut in July 2009, with the original cast Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Chumlee, who carry the series. The show has survived the death of beloved cast member and family patriarch Richard “Old Man” Harrison. A few years ago, “Pawn” expanded from 30-minute episodes to one-hour episodes.
“Pawn Stars” is now on its way to its 600th show, which is expected to air in early 2022. Celebrities and superstars like Roger Daltry, Billy F Gibbons, Steve Carell And George Stephanopoulos have had cameo appearances over the years. Even Bob Dylan At the beginning of the show, he demurely signed a copy of “Self Portrait” for Chumlee.
The cast thanks the producer Tracy Whittakerwho started on the show in 2014, is responsible for reviving the production. “She’s the brains of the whole thing,” says Rick Harrison.
Harrison also says the show still has new ground to cover, with filming on the next season (No. 20) beginning later this month.
“I’d love to get some Raiders on the show,” he says. “I need to keep it fresh. I don’t have any ideas right now, but I should call Mark Davis and ask him about it before we start filming. He told me he loves the show.”
Davis is not alone. Pawn Stars is broadcast around the world.
“The biggest adjustment in my life is that everyone in the world seems to know who I am,” Harrison said. “I’m in Kuala Lumpur and I’m under siege. This is not a joke. This is actually true. Pawn Stars just keeps going and going and going and I still love doing it.”
“Backstory”?
Ushers The pre-show “Backstory Pass” at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace is scheduled to take place from December 28th to January 1st with the resident superstar again. Co-producer Andrew Katz (no relation) says there are plans to revive the show and some details are still being worked out.
As far as immersive concepts go, we might see a similar opening act for Katy Perry’s performance at The Theatre at Resorts World. I would definitely support that.
Joke
Jett Trammelalso known as Jett Monkeydebuted at Steve McInelly’s “Las Vegas Smokin’ Comedy Showcase” at Rick’s Rollin’ Smoke Barbecue in Pawn Plaza on Wednesday night. Jett is the son of Vegas entertainment couple Joe and Jessica Trammel (who we reported on a year ago after their RV went missing from outside their Las Vegas home).
Jett is only 7 years old and, in our opinion, the youngest comedian to ever perform in a ticketed show. The club says he wants a revival date. As Jessica Trammel noted, “And he got paid!”
And just like his father, the boy is causing a sensation. That’s an inside joke for those of you who have lived in Las Vegan for a long time.
Cool Hang Alarm
Brandon Godfrey and Sean Stewart from NPerson are back at the International Bar at Westgate Las Vegas from 7pm to 10pm on Wednesday evening. The couple also co-stars in the Soul of Motown Show at the Westgate Cabaret. They are great fun and the groove is the focus (literally).
John Katsilometes’ column appears daily in the A section. His podcast, “PodKats!”, can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
