The Orange County Choppers are more famous now
The guys at Orange County Choppers are more famous now, but to date, haven't lost the real-life spark that's making them more famous.
Date published: 5/16/2004
By ROB HEDELT
I'M GETTING a kick these days out of the way the boys at Orange County Choppers are getting to be world-known celebrities.
That's amazing for the real-life stars of the Discovery Channel's hit show, "American Chopper."
When I first wrote about Paul Teutul Sr. and the rest of the gang at the Rock Tavern, N.Y., custom builder of chopper motorcycles, it was a little-known offering on the ever-growing cable TV channel.
I became an instant fan of the show, largely because of the personal dynamics between the workers in this family business.
Teutul Sr., who founded an ironworks business some 30 years ago, was the one who first branched into building custom choppers in the late '90s.
His sons, chief designer Paul Jr. and the goofy Mike, also work in the business, as do a handful of other employees who are helping the small business in rural New York become one of the top shops in the country.
Though I'm not a huge fan of custom choppers or shows where cars or bikes are built, I was nonetheless drawn into "American Chopper."
The key to me: the love/argue relationship between Paul Sr. and Jr.
That shows up in every one of the documentary-style episodes, which in essence follow the OCC team as it designs and builds a uniquely decorated motorcycle.
Things start off nicely, but as Paul Jr. and employees of OCC get bogged down--as they inevitably do in the design and fabrication of a bike--Paul Sr. comes striding in to read them the riot act.
With his huge, weightlifter shoulders, his massive white mustache and a penchant for getting at least a few words bleeped out in his admonitions, it's the friction that people find fascinating.
Since I wrote that OCC has become one of my favorites, legions of viewers have discovered "American Chopper," making it one of basic cable's most popular shows each week.
In addition, the Teutuls themselves have become well-known celebrities of a sort, partly because of the show's success, and partly because of a high-profile ad campaign during this year's Super Bowl.
Date published: 5/16/2004
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