I don't begrudge, Frank and Mike, the American Pickers anything. They came up with the idea. It took off. More power to them. Isn't that part of the "American Dream"?
The American Pickers, Pawn Stars, etc. are scripted and it bugs me but I try to look beyond that. I enjoy seeing things and learning about things that I normally wouldn't see.
The advance crew, secrecy, security, etc. is all part of the operations of a show. A buddy of mine had the Pickers come to his place. Secrecy was part of the initial agreement. They came. They bought...a lot more than what they showed on television. Without secrecy can you imagine what it might be like when attempting to film an episode.
For the most part I enjoy the fact that the Pickers like the patina and aged look of items. I do cringe at what the Pawn Stars, Counts Cars and American Restoration do to some pretty nice original items.
Overall I enjoy the shows knowing that they are shows. American Pickers attempts to show what it was like to pick before they became the American Pickers on TV. It's neat to see what Frank and Mike (or really their crews) find in some old barns. I know for myself that I cannot help to wonder what is inside old barns when I drive by them.
(mikeburch)
