Pawn Stars: Quality Infotainment

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Recommended: The social impact of television

History repeats itself in a somewhat cyclical pattern. Possessing a broad knowledge of what has happened in the past, and what is happening presently, allows a person to understand what is coming next. The history channel is a very popular network in America, and globally for that matter. Astounding amounts of people learn the entirety of their historical knowledge from the history channel. Thus, what gets aired has a direct influence on what these people know, and what their influences are. This network not only has its own series of informational programs, it broadcasts–as well as creates—documentaries and historical films. These films range from interviews with veterans of World War II to documentaries on ancient Egypt. Of course, one type of show attracts more viewers than another show. Furthermore, one show attracts a completely different demographic of viewers than another show in another genre.

Pawn Stars is a show that the history channel produces. The show is set in a seemingly very popular pawnshop in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rick, the owner of the shop, has taken over for his dad, “Old Man”, who still hangs around a desk in the back corner of the shop. Rick’s son, Corey and his friend Chumlee, also work in the shop. All day long people bring in various trinkets and treasures. Most of these items, if they are real, date way back into our history. A few have even come from before the colonies—we now know as America—were signed into independence. Of all the shows aired on the history channel, the one that can benefit the most broad demographic of viewers is Pawn Stars. It appeals to younger people with its fast-paced portrayal of pawnshop lifestyle. While middle-aged people—even older folks—can feel at home with the fact that t...

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...ricans more so than others—changes like the wind. Everyday new technology is introduced, and life changes more and more. Many people lack a solid perception of time and what it has meant to the land they live in. A growing majority of people are neither concerned with the past nor the present, and only seem to live for the now. Television, and the media in general, has inspired almost every bit of this attitude in humans. They expect fast paced entertainment or they become “bored”, and change the channel to MTV. Pawn stars does a good job of capturing at least a handful of these individuals, as well as many other seeking shows with substance. It has the chance to educate millions of Americans.

Works Cited

“License to Pawn.” Pawn Stars. Brent Montgomery. Netflix. Netflix Inc., 2009. Web. 6 Oct. 2011.

Pham, L. Kim. Personal interview. 8 Oct. 2011.

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