'American Chopper' Runs Out Of Gas

By Jo Piazza Posted Feb 9th 2010 03:06PM

It all began with a father, his sons and a love of choppers (custom-designed motorcycles). Now, after six seasons, TLC is closing shop on the much beloved 'American Chopper,' the reality show that chronicled the real-life drama of Paul Teutul Sr. and his sons, Paul Jr. and Mikey, as they built bikes and a business.

No one knows the toll a reality television show takes on a family better than TLC, which watched as the marriage of Jon and Kate Gosselin disintegrated before their cameras last year. It's been tough going for the family behind 'Orange County Choppers,' which means maybe it was time to end the show. America only has so much of an appetite for family drama before it starts to get uncomfortable.

Fights have always been common on the show, which the Teutul's love to say is the only real reality show out there. Constant sparring is just what happens when you throw a father and his sons together in a testosterone-driven business. Most of the tiffs were something you might have even seen on 'Sanford & Son,' if Sanford and Lamont had been rough and tumble, tattoo-covered mechanics and Lamont had called Sanford something a little stronger than "old fool" and thrown furniture at walls.

Teutul Sr. has never been shy about his short fuse. The Vietnam War vet has busted through enough walls during the show's run to keep the local Home Depot swimming in cash. While unreliable vendors usually absorb the brunt of his anger, the boys often get a lot of it too. That was all part of the show. The fights have long been used in promos and sold off to various vendors for their own promotional purposes.

But last Spring, things got really ugly in front of the cameras as the family reached a breaking point over who was responsible for the shop's success. Junior screamed, "If I wasn't involved this place would go to sh-t!" right before he threw a chair at the wall and stormed out. An incensed Pops took his rage out on a defenseless trash can.

Soon after the blow-up, Junior bailed on the business to start his own design firm. Always the middleman and provider of comic relief, Mikey pushed for reconciliation, but the two hard heads weren't having it.

"I'm still getting stepped on, and I need to make a separation," Senior told the New York Daily News last October. "My health was starting to deteriorate."

Mikey and Junior now work outside of Orange County, though they are still filmed by TLC cameras.

In December, Pops sued Junior for $1 million in stock options he claimed his son had promised he could purchase, according to TMZ. Senior isn't a stranger to lawsuits. In the last six years, former cast members and former employees have named him in various lawsuits.

Sporadic family fighting is one thing, but when it comes to a severe breach in the family unit, American television viewers start to withdraw. Discovery and TLC have made the right choice to end things now before they get any uglier.

In the final episode, which airs Thursday, Junior plans on making a "truly life-changing announcement," according to the TLC Web site. We have a sneaking suspicion it has to do with his girlfriend, Rachel Biester, and hope for the sake of the family that a reconciliation will be in the works once the cameras fade away.

Tags: american chopper, tlc, tlc reality show

Comments

(30)

Tuesday 09 February

By Jim

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Get your fact straight dude... Paul Sr. was never a Vietnam Vet..

By WminPhoenix

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American Chopper used to be an interesting show. Seeing the design and building of some unique motorcycles appealed to my engineer training. However when the Teutul's started into trailer trash shows, it appeal was lost.
I watched the show a few weeks ago and it was pathetic. Jr. thinks he is the next greatest thing. Mikey, who was always treated like the village idiot, is in recovery from alcoholism. Sr. kept the business going but lost two sons. The question is, was the fame worth it?

By Mari

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Junior is the biggest jerk that has been on TV. Both these spoiled boys owe everything to their father. How these idiots will be able to make in the ral world is beyond me.

Friday 12 February

By tank

you really can not be serious Paul SR lost sight of what was important and both sons didn't do any better in that dept. Together they made that business grow everyone had their own talent to contribute once they staring acting and thinking am the one that is when they lost who care about the show they lost each other how sad for all.

By d

You dont find it funny that none of Sr.s kids talk to him anymore?

If 3 different people call you a jackass you might want to buy a saddle.

By Mike Ulligan

This family had a good thing and let it all go to their heads. Fancy cars, big houses, monster workshops, and growing egos. The attitudes have been ruining the show for several seasons.
I miss the old show but good riddance to what they film now.

By Harvey Mushman

A bunch of low talent idiots. The only ones dumber were the ones who bought these bikes made with Chinese parts. Harley wannabes. I'd rather ride a Yamaha.

Wednesday 10 February

By Debbie

Please say this means there will be more "Reality" shows to follow. I miss the days of legit TV shows.

By Joe Pesce

Was it worth loosing your two sons for monitary value. Good luck Mikey. I'll miss that fun you brought to the set. Get well my freind

By TATRODDER

The "RUB'S (rich urban bikers) of the 80's & early 90's are now replaced with what I call "DCB'S" (Discovery channel bikers) It all adds up to one thing: WANNABE'S.

By Lance

What's apparent to me is father and son (Jr. and Sr.) are consumed with ego. Talented and driven as they are Sr. was always jealous of the attention which Jr. received. Senior wants validation for his struggle and life's effort, whereas, junior is a talented and LAZY guy. The limelight wasn't big enough. At the core these guy's share the same EGO driven personality. Senior is resentful and jealous of junior and won't be satisfied until he "breaks" junior. Junior's going to take a HARD fall...this girl doesn't like him let alone love him. Divorce and settlement (see BIG settlement) within three to five years.

By ed hill

It's about time the brainless show is off the air, I ride and don't care for their styles anyhow. Besides the old man was a total jerk, kids were ok.

By okme

jerks watched twice shame on tlc JUNK TV SAD

By bill

this show jumped the shark when it was still on discovery channel.

By Don Roberts

This is a typical story of fame and greed. It was fun to watch the antics in the shop and see some of the things that that they included in there bikes. Although doing pranks like they did in a real shop can cause people to get hurt bady. Anyone that rides, know that these bikes are not for riding. You couldnt ride one of these bikes more than a couple miles, if at all before you were hurting in places you didnt know you had. The show changed from building pieces of art to All My Children and who wants to watch that. Good luck to all involed in the future but it was time to go.

By David Jay

These guys should never have been on the air in the first place. They weren't bike builders to start with. Any one who rides motorcycles knows that those bikes were nothing but show. Senior was all mouth and the fact that they made a bundle of money for yelling at each other all the time gets me sick.

By Joe

Whatever happened, happened. I'm going to miss the show, the builds, the rest of the crew like Rick Petco and Mike Amarati(sp?), Christian, Steve and others. I enjoyed the sponsors bikes and seeing how other businesses were born and how they became successful. Whether you agree with Sr. or Jr., they were part of my life for 7 years and I for one wanted the show to continue but the ugliness between the two has gotten to a breaking point in the family and I think the cameras being there made it harder for them to actually talk things out w/o egos being a factor. I still want to know what ever happened to Vinnie!

By pony3385

Vinny and Cody have their on bike line, it called V-Force.

Sunday 14 February

By Ricky

Vinnie and Cody have a new TV show about to launch that looks like its going to be very cool, about all types of bikes. Includes a guy from California who builds REAL bikes and bikes for major films and a guy from Fla who builds race bikes. We need a GOOD MC TV show and hopefully this will be it! With Vinnie and Cody and no jerks like Paul Sr it is something I've waited for for a long time.

By Lenny

I liked the show until the father got manic & started his arguing belittling & rants at Jr. the poor guy couldn't do anything right. If it wasn't for Jr the business would be so so. Mickie will survive Jr. will see to that. Sr. is the biggest loser of them all, sad soul. He's an Ex drinker who made his 1st family pay for his screwed up life. He should hold his head down for still trying to screw them out of helping him build his business. Lets see in 3 yrs we're all 3 are at.

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