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History Channel's "Fat Guys Doing Their Job" series

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Dragonzordasaurus Joining the Team.doc Since: Jan, 2011
Joining the Team.doc
#1: Dec 8th 2011 at 4:37:34 PM

How do you feel about shows like Ice Road Truckers, Axe Men, that one with the alligators, etc.?

I think Pawn Stars is the only show out of that entire genre that's presented in a way that's actually somewhat historical/educational and I wish the other shows weren't clogging the channel 24/7, but that's just me.

I like how History's justification for these shows is "It's relevant because it's making history RIGHT NOW!" That excuse can be used to put literally anything on the History Channel. If they aired a horrible sitcom nobody ever watched, then it's actually making a measurable impact on history by being the least watched sitcom ever.

I guess I'm just angry every week isn't Barbarians Week.

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Journeyman Overlording the Underworld from On a throne in a vault overlooking the Wasteland Since: Nov, 2010
Overlording the Underworld
#2: Dec 8th 2011 at 8:30:26 PM

You're not alone in disliking the "People doing their jobs" shows. I don't think every week should be barbarians week, but I do agree they need to focus on History. What's happening right now isn't history. It's current events. History is how people reflect on past events. 9/11 = history. A trucker on the ice doesn't.

But, reality tv is hot right now. They could improve those shows some by making sure they discuss the history of what they're doing. It would be local history, but it would be history nonetheless.

AndrewGPaul Since: Oct, 2009
#3: Dec 9th 2011 at 4:42:25 AM

One series of something like Ice Road Truckers is fine - it's an interesting job, and most people won't realise the things that go on. After that first sries, though, it turns into a soap opera about the drivers, not about the driving. Who really cares that the obnoxious fat Canadian can deliver more trailer-loads than the bald skinny one?

Tyyrlym Jerk from Normandy SR-2 Since: Mar, 2011
Jerk
#4: Dec 9th 2011 at 5:01:47 AM

Honestly, it's History's Network Decay in action. I'd rather see most of these series on then Ancient Aliens or Monster Hunters. Still, they're boring. I actually liked Deadliest Catch and even I have to admit that 9 times out of 10, it's damn near impossible to tell what season you're watching, forget which episode in it. They're so interchangeable it's actually hilarious. Ice Road Truckers is as bad if not worse since most of the shots are night vision cams of the drivers or random stock footage of the trucks driving through snow. They try to add some drama to it but it's all so mindbogglingly uniform.

Most of these shows would be good for a half season or even full season then go away. Make it some kind of long running series like, "Dangerous Jobs" or something. Making it half their line up forever, no thanks.

People obviously watch these shows since they keep making them but what is the draw that keeps you coming back? Not enough stock footage of snow?

"Tyyr's a necessary evil. " Spirit
Buscemi I Am The Walrus from a log cabin Since: Jul, 2010
I Am The Walrus
#5: Dec 9th 2011 at 6:02:07 AM

Could be worse. It could be Tru TV's "let's copy Operation Repo again and again" formula.

More Buscemi at http://forum.reelsociety.com/
MrDolomite Since: Feb, 2010
#6: Dec 10th 2011 at 1:00:54 AM

To me, "Men Doing Their Jobs" (not all of them are fat!) is a big step up from "Hitler and Aliens - The Missing Link?" or "Hitler's Secret Megaweapon".

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#7: Dec 10th 2011 at 1:08:10 AM

I'm not sure if I prefer this to "Nostradamus, Hitler, and 2012: Why you're fucked"...

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
MrDolomite Since: Feb, 2010
#8: Dec 10th 2011 at 1:10:04 AM

[up]That was a pretty good one, but I think my favorite of that era was "Hitler's Clone - Mad Science of the Third Reich".

Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#9: Dec 10th 2011 at 1:12:57 AM

They must find a way to include Hitler into the fat guys thing. He has been their wonder child all these years.

Also am I the only one who ever seems to find nothing but Modern Marvels on the History International channel (which they renamed H2 apparently)? I mean I like it but I am amazed at how that channel seems comprised of nothing but that one show.

edited 10th Dec '11 1:13:35 AM by Aondeug

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
nairoxev Since: Nov, 2011
#10: Dec 10th 2011 at 5:36:58 AM

I am offended that you are even hinting that Pawn Stars belongs to that group of shows [lol].

Yeah, truckers, alligators, I feel my quality of life would be much better if History would put watchable shows in those slots instead of that stuff.

spasticgecko Dat Troper from Maryland Since: Oct, 2011
Dat Troper
#11: Dec 10th 2011 at 6:25:32 AM

^^ Modern Marvels was my favorite show when I was five. True story.

It's so good!

MarkVonLewis Since: Jun, 2010
#12: Dec 10th 2011 at 6:15:14 PM

I love Modern Marvels. Call me crazy but I find myself enthralled by it.

But yeah these roughneck job shows need to be scaled back. Still, least they are better than incessant 2012 doomsday BS.

MrDolomite Since: Feb, 2010
#13: Dec 10th 2011 at 8:08:24 PM

[up]I'm sure we'll be getting plenty of that by the middle of next year.

Firebert That One Guy from Somewhere in Illinois Since: Jan, 2001
That One Guy
#14: Dec 10th 2011 at 10:36:37 PM

Modern Marvels and Pawn Stars are my favorites on the channel at this point. Miss the medieval stuff.

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nman Since: Mar, 2010
#15: Dec 10th 2011 at 11:23:07 PM

[up]I like Modern Marvels too. American Pickers is sometimes entertaining, but I don't like any of the other "Fat Guys Doing Their Job" shows.

Although, while I never watch it for more than five minutes, I actually enjoy Ancient Aliens, not because I think it's right, but because it's hilarious. But the sad thing is that that show has more "history" than these other shows about selling junk and shooting Croczilla.

Rotpar Always 3:00 am in the Filth (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Always 3:00 am in the Filth
#16: Dec 11th 2011 at 1:03:54 AM

End of the day: Hitler is at least history. I'm posting on TV Tropes, I'M MAKING HISTORY RIGHT NOW, GIVE ME A SHOW!

But don't give up hope. Everyone is cured sooner or later. In the end we shall shoot you.
anathame I like tanks from Washington State Since: Mar, 2010
I like tanks
#17: Dec 11th 2011 at 5:48:48 AM

I like Pawn Stars, but it's more seeing Corey do something stupid and him getting yelled at. Chumlee is also very much a lovable idiot. I wouldn't hire the guy, but he'd be fun to have around.

Also, I'm not saying Ancient Aliens is a load of bullshit, be we have no proof that it isn't.

Oh, this is a clip from Dave Attel's Insomniac when he visited the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in 2003:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvu6APT3JLY

edited 11th Dec '11 5:50:38 AM by anathame

MrDolomite Since: Feb, 2010
#18: Dec 11th 2011 at 8:53:25 PM

[up][up]Trope Team. Coming soon to The History Channel.

Vyctorian ◥▶◀◤ from Domhain Sceal Since: Mar, 2011
◥▶◀◤
#19: Dec 18th 2011 at 2:36:31 AM

I like the Pawn stars, and American pickers, and even American restoration. I watch them quite often.

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nairoxev Since: Nov, 2011
#20: Dec 19th 2011 at 2:56:01 PM

[up][up][up] lol Rick certainly took a level in badass.

Mukora Uniocular from a place Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: I made a point to burn all of the photographs
Uniocular
#21: Dec 19th 2011 at 7:03:03 PM

I like Pawn Stars and American Pickers because they tend to actually discuss the history of what they're selling/buying, rather than having the show be ninety percent "Kourtney and Kim Take Ice Trucking" like the other ones. Pawn Stars has some of that, but it isn't that bad.

"It's so hard to be humble, knowing how great I am."
Firebert That One Guy from Somewhere in Illinois Since: Jan, 2001
That One Guy
#22: Dec 19th 2011 at 7:05:51 PM

Exactly. Those are two of my favorite currently aired shows on HC, alongside Modern Marvels.

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