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A different side of 'Pawn Stars,' 'Pawn After Dark' kicks off

John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Review-Journal on

Published in Entertainment News

LAS VEGAS — When Rick Harrison of “Pawn Stars” tops out in a negotiation for an item, he says, “That’s the best I can do.”

But away from the hit series on History, Harrison and his castmate Austin “Chumlee” Russell are raising the stakes with “Pawn After Dark.” Months in development, the podcast launched earlier this month with premiere guest T.J. Lavin, a BMX star and “The Challenge” host.

Episodes drop Thursdays on the @PawnAfterDark YouTube channel, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

“This came about because I love to talk,” Harrison said after a recent taping with UFC legend Chuck Liddell for an upcoming episode. And Chum, he likes to talk even more than I do.”

The show is set after-hours at Gold and Silver Pawn, home base of “Pawn Stars” since the show’s debut in 2009. The show has banked shows with the D Las Vegas and Circa co-owner Derek Stevens, WWE (formerly WWF) icon The Godfather, guitar-rock flamethrower Ashba (late of Guns N’ Roses and Sixx A.M.), former “Incredible Hulk” and bodybuilding titlist Lou Ferrigno, ex-UFC champ Griffin and Liddell.

The guys’ fondness for combat sports, rock stars and downtown magnates is evident already. Expect guests to expand to Las Vegas professional franchise owners (guess which) “Pawn Stars” experts and Las Vegas resident entertainers.

The guests bring their own items to amuse the hosts. Liddell packed a Geiger counter equipped with tiny tubes, or, “Super old-school, punk rock,” as Harrison said.

“Should I be scared to open this?” Russell asked. “I’m just pressing buttons. I don’t know if I broke it or not.” Chum’s history of damaging historic items is a behind-the-scenes, real-life concern.

The show is unaffiliated with History, its concept driven by Tracy Whittaker, CEO of Rick Harrison Productions and executive producer of “Pawn Stars” for 11 years.

 

“Tracy is the brains behind all of this,” Harrison said.

Unlike their conversations on “Pawn Stars,” the language on the “Pawn After Dark” is grown-up, what you would hear around the shop off-camera.

“On ‘Pawn Stars,’ we’re more or less G-rated, every once in a while, PG,” Harrison said. “Here we can go PG-13 and not worry about it.”

Similar to the History series, the podcast is a welcome distraction. Chats about odd items in a Vegas pawn shop is a timeless and inclusive experience.

“We just want to have a fun conversation. We don’t want to get any politics involved, nothing like that,” said Harrison, a well-known Donald Trump supporter away from the show. “We want no drama. We just want it to be like an old Phil Donahue show, but with a little bit more joking around.”

Corey Harrison, the third leg of the “Pawn Stars” fiefdom, is living in Tulum, Mexico, and not a part of the podcast.

“He’s soaking up the sun and probably drinking margaritas,” Russell said. “I’m sure he’ll be back for the regular show, but for the time being it’s me and Rick. But you know, Corey would be an interesting guest to have on.”

Chumlee then laughed, like a guy knowing “Pawn Stars” have yet to hit their limit.


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