Ask Autoblog: What's your favorite auto TV show?
We all watch them. You know you do. You wonder, "Is Overhaulin' new tonight?" "Do the celebs on FunkMaster Flex actually pay for their new rides?" Or as you get bored with your third college football game of the day Saturday you see what The Discovery Channel has going. So which is your favorite? What do you dial in to every week? What's on the TiVo right now?
And yes this is just another excuse to use this photo of Courtney Hansen from Overhaulin'.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Carbsumer 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Top Gear, a british show. It's odd, because I actually don't like british television, but this show is great. Some of the shows are online:
http://topgear.breedbandportal.kpn.com/cars.aspx
You can find others on peer-to-peer networks.
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KT 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I generally watch them all if the car they are doing interests me. The thing that bugs me about "Overhauling" is the ppl don't realize what they are getting for free! I'd be asking Foose about everything they did (maybe they do off camera?). I like Car&Driver, HorsepowerTV, Rides and American Hot Rod too. Though Coddington got on my nerves. And after watching it I would never buy one of their cars! Pimp My Ride on MTV is pretty funny sometimes. I watch it purely for comic relief.
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Kurt 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
This would be a good excuse to use pictures of Courtney Day, Danika Patrick, and Chrissy Albice, too.
Concerning the shows themselves, "Overhaulin'" is good, I especially enjoyed the teenage surfer with the old El Camino. "Rides" can also be very good. Spike and Speed channels both have various good shows on Saturday.
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Josh Wardell 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Top Gear, absolutely. Unfortunately I have to download it because the FCC doesn't allow good TV in the US anymore. I'm not sure what regulation exactly it was that said all new US shows must be crap, or copies of crap.
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Carguy 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
TOP GEAR! NO QUESTION. Seems as though I catch it on Speed channel sometimes...
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Dave 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I agree with KT on American Hot Rod. Boyd comes across like a real jerk and you have to seriously wonder about the final quality of those cars seeing what a bunch of clowns work for him.
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Phunk 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I pretty much watch them all, too. Top gear is great, as is Overhaulin' and Rides, as long as the subject grabs me. Last thing I want to see is ANOTHER '32 Ford coupe / roadster, etc.
American Hot Rod got on my nerves, too. I was a huge fan of Coddington's work until I saw that, now I'm a Foose man. :) Not like I can afford either.
Pimp My Ride is great, they just don't show enough of the technical stuff, all entertainment.
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Vince 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Depends on the genre. For testdrives/news, I like DWTV's Auto Motor & Sport and BBC's Top Gear. For upgrades/building nothing beats Trucks!, but I never pass up watching (reruns of) A Car is Reborn.
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David Thomas 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Rides can be so dry at times though. Seems like they spend an hour when 30 minutes could do. Like the airbrush guy. That was neat but did we need an hour on it? maybe two segments would make it more interesting. And maybe one could be on this guy who blogs about cars all day and...oh wait that would take about 30 seconds.
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Jeffrey 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I'm hooked on the World Rally Circuit on Speed. Just exciting to imagine flinging one's self around with seeming abandon on those muddy forest roads, winding dusty trails and the occassional cliff-hugging tarmac stretch. Love the exotic locations that show off the terrain of that part of the world and seeing how the teams cope with it.
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Perry 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I'm a big fan of Trucks! on Spike TV, myself. I like the laid back style and Stacy David, the host, always seems to be so enthusiastic about the build-ups he's doing.
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Anita Cocktail 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
The best car show...Hmmmmm...OVERHAULIN' is fantastic! Chip Foose comes off as not only talented but caring and genuinely involved with the 'marks'-VERY impressive! Add to this Courtneys' presence, enthusiasm, zeal & insight make it GREAT! PIMP MY RIDE is very good as well. I have a new & profound respect for XIBIT! WELL done Sir!
Now for the BAD ones. Sadly the dysfunction & pressure of unreal deadlines shown in American Hot Rod make me hesitant to even watch anymore. Mr. Coddington has finally driven away Charlie-the passionate and abundantly talented painter to Chip Fooses' camp & GOOD FOR CHARLIE! Beetle Bailey's going to follow suit soon & GOOD FOR HIM! The constant & unrelenting pressure from the surreal deadlines & Duanes' manic depressant, unpredictable, & sophmoric outbursts are NOT conducive to motivating people! Quite the opposite as was shown when Thomas stepped up and graphically illustrated how a smile and positive comments could motivate people to WANT to work.
& about Monster Garage- Jesse James is OBVIOUSLY OVER IT! He shows no enthusiasm anymore & the show should be DUMPED! 'Nuff Said.
I hope this finds its way to Charlie & pray that he finds the success a man of his ilk, caring, passion for his craft and his talent deserves! He was being used up by Mr. Coddington & the entire atmosphere of that business was NOT conducive to his well being! Good luck Charlie! Good things lie ahead-just you wait & see!
VSY,
Anita Cocktail
Denver
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gary schermerhorn 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I AM IN FULL AGGREEMENT WITH ANITA COCKTAIL!! I think duane's and Boyd's attitude is terrible..They have the best painter I have ever seen, moving over to the Foose organiztion!! Good for you Charley!! We are behind you all the way..Up here in REDNECK COUNTRY, we all believe that Chip Foose is a real man!! Boyd Coddington wouldn't make many friends around here with his attitude..I wouldn't buy a car from him just to say I have a boyd Coddington car..
I work in a body shop, and I know what it takes to make a paint job come out right,and Charley has the TALENT and the know how to do it..Shame on Coddington.
Another thing that these rich clowns don't understAND is, YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR YOU!! The men in Boyd's body shop need encouragement,, NOT UNREAL DEADLINES..
That is all I have to say..US REDNECKS ARE ALL BEHIND YOU CHARLEY!!
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Capp 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
What is the guys name that airbrushed Jack Osbournes bmw on the rides channel, can anyone help me out?
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sfposter 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
overhaulin is a far better program -- it focuses on the build on the car -- and the owner, their needs and their lives -- moreso than the overwrought attention to the redneck, sophmoric antics of the builders like american hotrod... watching overhaulin' is just a more fulfilling experience.
plus, chip foose's approach to his team and the participants in the show is admirable... he is actually someone i'd like to get to know. he has great leadership capibilities that stem from his ability to connect with his team, listen to their ideas, make decisions that do not seem authoratative (or spiteful). chip is a genuinely good guy. contrast that with boyd coddington who i just want to slug.
we just caught the rerun of the AHR where charlie leaves... and it reaffirmed what a selfish, spiteful, immature jackass that boyd is. and what a crap show AHR has become because of boyd's ego. charlie asks: "boyd -- you've never asked how *i* feel -- what *i* think...". this should have come as no surprize to charlie as empathy, leadership by example (i.e.: encouragement and mentorship as opposed to threats and anger), and maturity seems to have never been one of boyd's strong suits... no wonder everyone who has parted ways with him never looks back. seems that boyd is the common element in these bad breakups.
i just changed the channel mid-way through AHR to this-old-house on PBS... this should say something to the discovery channel... you're concentrating on the wrong show. i would have sat through 3 episodes of overhaulin' -- without thinking of touching the remote.
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Caveman 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Compare and contrast two builders Chip Foose and Boyd Coddington. Night and day. Boyd biggest downfall is his ego, Chip seems to have the humility of a weekend mechanic. Chip is intimately involved in ALL aspects of the build, Boyd sends his pis*boy Duane to pump negativity into the people until the job gets done. Does anyone who has watched one episode of AHR have any remote desire to work for a jackass like Boyd? His talented painter Charlie who put in long hours and made him a lot of what he is decides to try to better his family life, and Boyd is so upset he would not even shake his hand. That really showed Boyd's maturity level.
Another thing that really chaps my butt is the episode where Boyd's General Manger Duane gets kicked out of his residence with his girl friend because of a "communication problem". Yes he quote, "had a girlfriend on the side and failed to communicate that to his live in." Class act Duane, I hope all the kids who watch your show follow your example.
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Paul 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
You guys are right. I just watched the episode of AHR when Charlie leaves. Boyd's yelling at him "IT's NOT MY FAULT!!" after Charlie is trying to explain that he wants to see his family more.
I mean how many 24 hour days did Charlie have to pull every freaking BUILD they did? Duane(I know they edit the show for dramtic value)blasting off on every little thing...
I actually chuckled when BOYD's wife is crying and pleading to Charlie "WHY FOOSE? WHY FOOSE?" Charlie says hey I need to see my family.. BOYD's wife (showing that Boyd immaturity and selfishness)WHYY HHIIMMM!! WHY FOOSE!!!
I'm glad Charlie left he deserves so much better. Free market rules.. you treat your best like crap they walk...
Does anyone know why FOOSE left Boyd?(I was searching GOOGLE to find the offical STORY and came across this BLOG) Or just because FOOSE wanted to branch out that BOYD decided FOOSE is the enemy?
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Evan 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
I agree with a few previous posts... good for Charlie. Boyd Coddington's team is talented - that's without debate. But there is an overall NEGATIVE VIBE in their shop all the damn time. Everybody there is always bitching about something. At least on Chip's show there's nothin but good news all the time - - not to mention how extremely talented Chip is with his designs and his builds.
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Steve 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Boyd sucks and Charlie rules
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Patrick 10:59PM (12/18/2005)
Overhaulin is a better show. You actually see the progress of the car during the entire hour, which is what peaks my interest. The skit is a little lame, but it is done well. Chip is a real gentlemen. He has the talent and sincerity. As for Boyd. He grates at my nerves. Also, what man in his right mind would have his ex-wife in the same building with his pretty, but very dense, new wife. And as for Charlie. He is smart and talented. He was held back at Boyd's. The man deserves his shot. Keep your eye on Charlie. He is going places with Foose.
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