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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.
The Teutuls starred in three different AOL commercials, which featured the three family members using improvements in the online service to soup up cars or bikes.
The result: Millions who hadn't met the Teutuls through "American Chopper" were all asking the question that propelled them to international fame: "Who are those guys?"
The show and others like it on the Discovery Channel, titles like "Monster House" and "American Hot Rod," are looking into little-explored genres of TV programs to give new viewers a reason to tune in.
Sure, the Discovery Channel and other related channels have already opened science, nature and history to viewers on the many channels now available.
Now, the challenge is finding new ways to get new viewers.
Shows like "American Chopper" are one way to do it.
Soon enough, the network is going inside a very different sort of place to interest viewers, seeing what life is like inside an operating casino.
On other channels, building-improvement or house "remake" shows continue to sprout like front-yard dandelions. Some are fun; some are just repeating what other, earlier shows did, usually better.
Nobody can say the Teutuls and their little slice of Americana are anything but original.
To reach ROB HEDELT: 540/374-5415 rhedelt@freelancestar.com