American Chopper: Senior vs Junior Episode 2

As we all know Paul Jr managed to snag a bike deal with Geico and unveiled not one but two bikes at Sturgis 2 weeks ago. See the story on my Choppers blog: http://www.chopperssite.com/index.php/orange-county-choppers/paul-jr-to-be-at-sturgis

Pics of the bikes can be found here: http://katesdon.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/paul-jr-designs/

Last night’s American Chopper episode focused on Junior’s failed attempts to get a client for Paul Jr Designs, and his filling his new shop with lots of idle equipment. Is it just me or have these first two episodes been edited in such a way to make Jr look like a failure? Numerous scenes have been Paul Sr. discussing how much of a failure Paulie is since he’s left the shop.

Obviously he did manage to snag one client at least that we know of but I question whether TLC is deliberately trying to slant the show in Sr’s favor, especially since OCC is the show’s bread and butter or if Paulie really does have no clue what he’s doing business-wise.

One thing I will say is this: instead of looking for clients to contract a build for, a real business man would have been building bikes anyway and trying to sell them for a profit while he looked for contract jobs. Is this exactly what senior means when he says Paulie wants everything handed to him: a contract to build bike before he gets his hands dirty. Image if you tried to open a shop that way. “Well we haven’t built any bikes yet, but would you like to order one?” I think you’d fail.

And while I believe it’s bit of stretch for Paul Sr. to say Paulie’s trying to ride on OCC’s coattails, it is obvious that the shop is not hurting with out him there. Kind of makes you wonder if that’s why Sr. brought in Jason Pohl when he did; so he would have good designer on staff when he finally had to fire Paulie?

I just wish this new version of the show was more about building bikes and less about the family issues.