Pawn Stars/American Pickers (Monday, History Channel) — While the rest of America was tuning in to the NBC late-night television Conan/Leno debacle, in addition to watching the funniest late night host of them all, Chelsea Handler, I was watching my other late-night guilty pleasures… on the History channel. Uh huh, you heard me correctly. It all started one night with Pawn Stars. How I came across it, I do not know… but thank goodness I did because I love it. It’s a show about the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, owned by 3 generations of the Harrison family who are each unique and amusing, particularly the grandfather Richard. Pawners bring their crap into the shop and the Harrisons try and figure out if it’s real, what it’s worth and how much they can buy/sell it for. The stuff ranges from coins, to guns/swords, to old military uniforms, to motorcycles and you’d be surprised to find what’s real and how much it’s valued at. One dude brought in this old double-barrel gun to find out that it was from the 1700’s and worth 10K. When the Harrisons can’t determine the authenticity of items, they bring in a team of experts to examine and value the items for them. And you actually learn something about history and artifacts along the way… it sounds boring, I know, but I promise it isn’t. Corey’s lethargic, childhood friend Chumlee is always there for a laugh, saying or doing something dumb… usually costing himself or Rick some sum of money. But nonetheless, Rick’s always got a smile on his face, with a hearty laugh to go with it.

One night I flipped to the History channel looking for a Pawn Star rerun, but found another History channel treasure, American Pickers. It’s a show about Mike and Frank and their quest to turn other peoples junk into profit. They travel the country “picking” through garages, attics, junkyards, and barns hoping to come across items, hopefully with stories to go along with them, that they can restore and turn into antiques. And there are no limitations to the things they “pick.” Jars, oil cans, signs, lights, cars, engines, toys, bikes… and it’s crazy how much they know about … well … crap. They pass that knowledge along to us and as useless as it is, it’s fun to hear about. Mike’s got a shop in Iowa called Antique Archaeology where he does his restoring and reselling… I don’t know how he got started, but it’s clearly his calling.

New episodes of American Pickers air on Monday at 9:00PM, and Pawn Stars on Monday at 10:00PM.

Other Highlights

Life Unexpected — No, I love! A perfect cross between Gilmore Girls and Everwood. The CW has gone back to its roots… The WB. Unlike the skanky, obnoxious shows the CW has cranked out (Gossip Girl, 90210, Melrose Place), Life UneXpected (LUX, thats what the fans are calling it, and also the name of the lead character) is a family show… and you don’t feel like showering after you watch it.

24 — Renee has some set of onions. Death stared her point-blank in the face and she outstared it back into the thick of the Russian mob. She made Jack look like a total wuss.

Lowlights

Outside of Gaga and Beyonce’s performances, nothing particularly special happened at last night’s Grammys. And Taylor Swift, while sweet as pie, should perhaps stick to songwriting for other pop princesses that can really sing (none come to mind). That performance was awful… Simon Cowell would have dismissed her immediately. I don’t understand all the rage.  

After 4 seasons, the funny, whimsical, but deteriorating Ugly Betty has been cancelled. America Ferrara will be fine… I hope the others will be too… it’s been fun.

What to Watch, Week of 2/1

Tuesday

Lost — The final season begins. Damon, Carlton… I beg of you to make it all make sense. I beg.

Sunday

The Super Bowl — Manning vs. Brees. The Colts vs. The World. WHO DAT.

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