The show was going strong until the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, when production on the 17th season was halted. Since then, questions have persisted about the fate of the show. Was pawn stars canceled? When will it return? What happened to its hosts?
Stick with us as we explain the appeal of the show, as well as provide the real answers and insights into the behind-the-scenes factors that are affecting the show’s return. Let’s get started, shall we?
The Premise
If you’ve ever step foot into a pawn shop and wondered about the hidden histories of all the artifacts on display, then Pawn Stars has got you covered, as the basic premise of this show is just that. The show follows a voyeuristic look into the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas which is run by the father-son duo Rick and Corey ‘Big Hoss’ Harrison.
The standard formula of the show is that patrons enter the shop with objects that they’re hoping to sell for a tidy sum. Standing in their way is the head of the store, Rick, who often haggles with the customers and enlists the guidance of experts and fellow employees to determine if these artifacts actually have any real value. The comic relief of the show comes from Austin Lee ‘Chumlee’ Russell’s childlike innocence and bumbling nature.
The Appeal
Whilst a simple concept, Pawn Stars has appealed to a wide demographic of viewers for several reasons. Firstly, it’s quite funny and easily digestible, patrons come in, they present their potential treasure and its value is determined. It also follows a family-run business, which brings explosive dynamics of conflict and tension.
The show also lures viewers in through the compelling yet tense negotiations between the customers and the merchant-like Pawn Stars themselves. Occasionally, exchanges can get a little heated, which is highly entertaining to viewers who relish watching these face-offs.
The shop itself is also set in Las Vegas and features a lot of eye-catching shots of the desert metropolis, in all its glitz and glamour. Over the years, Pawn Stars has grown to become one of the most profitable shows in the History Channel’s portfolio, and generates more than $3 million every episode.
Fact or Fiction?
Before the question on everyone’s lips was ‘why was Pawn Stars cancelled?’ there was a lot of speculation and controversy surrounding whether or not the show was scripted. Let’s think about it realistically, it would be borderline impossible, not to mention expensive, to film random customers coming and going through the store for compelling footage.
This would make it incredibly difficult for producers to create riveting content. Therefore, Pawn Stars adopts a kind of ‘selective realism’ approach, saving the drama and trimming the fat of the boring moments. The fact of the matter is, the pawn shop itself employs seven hundred people, and the hosts of the show only swing by when filming episodes.
Furthermore, the hosts of the show typically work off of pre-written scripts. With show business, such a measure is a necessity to create compelling content and writers can tailor fit the drama to the personalities of the cast members. In our opinion, however, these elements don’t make the series any less enjoyable as there is value to the uncertainty of discovering the next hidden treasure.
Luck of the Draw
There is also an undeniable crossover appeal between the show and the gambling world. There is addictive suspense to the ‘luck of the draw’ format of the show. You simply never know when the next priceless heirloom gathering dust could be dropped right onto the Pawn Star’s laps.
Much like classic table games like casino poker or blackjack, there is a real need for both customers and the pawnbrokers to both keep their cards close to their chests. From the pawnbroker’s point of view, there is always the gamble that what they’re buying isn’t entirely legit or valuable to others.
From the perspective of the customer walking into the store, the gamble is trying to receive close to the amount they had in mind before they began the bargaining process. When push comes to shove, there is always a duel between knowledge of the object and its perceived value.
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The Fall
Now that you’re fully acquainted with the universe of the show, we’d like to focus our spotlight on where it all began to go wrong for the Pawn Stars and reveal what really happened behind the scenes. The show’s decline can be attributed to a number of unforeseen events.
- The Death of Richard ‘Hoss’ Harrison
- The Corona Pandemic
- Rick’s Burnout
- Chumlee’s Run-ins with the Law
The relatively recent death of the family’s patriarch Richard ‘Old Man’ Harrison has led to an existential pondering over the fate of the other three stars of the show. What will they do now? Do they still work at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop? Do they still want to make more episodes?
To clear up the question ‘Is Pawn Stars cancelled?’ once and for all, here is everything that we know about what happened to show after this tragedy.
The Corona Pandemic
The momentum of Pawn Stars showed no signs of stopping until world events brought the show to a screeching halt. In March 2020, and during the filming of the 17th season, the Pawn Stars crew was forced to pull the plug on production as it was deemed non-essential work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result, the certainty of a lot of jobs was up in the air, and no one knew exactly when normality would return. To make matters worse, the Gold & Silver store itself had been experiencing a decline in business in recent years anyway, adding to rumors that the show would soon be cancelled.
Rick’s Burnout
Another key factor that comprised the return of the show was the apparent burnout of one of the main characters was in the run-up to the Covid Pandemic. In the dynamic of the show’s cast, Rick played the knowledgeable, direct leading man who wasn’t afraid to get into the weeds when negotiating tough deals.
However, according to Rick himself, he never envisioned Pawn Stars to have such a long, successful run. In his own words ‘’All I was hoping for was a season or two, so everything that has happened is beyond expectations. It’s insane.”
Even after a seven-year run , he was showing signs of weariness and burnout. In 2015 he was quoted as saying that he hoped to dramatically limit his duties with both the store and the show by 2017. “I promised my wife that after two years I’m massively going to slow down, I can’t work 12 hours a day, every day for too long before it burns out.
Chumlee’s Chequered Past
After the death of Richard Harrison, the show’s remaining stars were left with no room for slip-ups as more eyes were on them. A huge elephant in the room in the discussion of ‘Is Pawn Stars cancelled?’ is the show’s loveable Chumlee. His wild antics outside of the show have also contributed to rumors about the show’s cancellation.
In the Spring of 2016, Chumlee’s run-ins with the law were thoroughly covered by the media . His Las Vegas home was raided by the authorities in connection to sexual assault allegations from an ex-employee at the store. If this wasn’t dark enough, officers discovered firearms, crystal meth, Xanax, and cocaine on his property.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with 20 felony counts, pleading guilty to the firearm charges, and a misdemeanor for the drugs offenses. His probation officially ended in 2019 and all sexual assault allegations were dropped due to lack of evidence.
The Future
So, with all of these issues in mind, the question on everybody’s lips can’t be avoided any longer. Was Pawn Stars cancelled? The simple answer is no, Pawn Stars wasn’t cancelled. In early 2021, fans of the show were welcomed with the announcement that they could expect the show’s comeback to take place on the 22nd of March.
Despite all of the legal and logistical challenges, the show’s cast and crew managed to complete the filming of the 17th season despite Covid-19 complications and premiere it. Dedicated fans of the show have met this new season with rave reviews and there are currently high hopes that the show will continue for a few more seasons.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed by the show’s stars, season 18 definitely can’t be ruled out at this time of writing. Even a global pandemic and the law can’t seem to shut down the momentum of Pawn Star’s appeal. What does the future hold for everybody’s favorite pawnbrokers? Only time will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this article and we’ve cleared up any misconceptions or speculations you had about what got Pawn Stars cancelled. We’d like to cordially invite you to browse through the rest of our insightful guides about the gambling world. Otherwise, here are some of the most commonly asked questions that we receive from our readers. Best of luck out there!
Is Pawn Stars coming back in 2021?
Yes, the show premiered its 17th season on the 22nd March 2021 after a long year of speculation about whether or not Pawn Stars was cancelled. Dedicated fans welcomed the show’s return and there is now much anticipation for the show to produce an 18th season on location in Las Vegas. Read more about the future of Pawn Stars.
What happened to Pawn Stars Chumlee?
The bumbling Chumlee has had several shady run-ins with the law in recent years. Despite these serious offenses, Chumlee returned to the show in March 2021 when the 17th season premiered on the History Channel. If you’d like to know more about Nevada’s laws, see our guide on the topic.
Is the Pawn Stars still in business?
While Rick, Corey, and Chumlee might not be full-time employees at the store anymore, the Pawn Stars' Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is still open to visitors in Las Vegas. Speaking of Las Vegas, the city has inspired many exciting variations of famous table games over the years, check out our feature on the blackjack variation Vegas downtown.
Is Pawn Stars a scripted show?
Yes. Like most reality TV programs, Pawn Stars features scripted drama and plot-points between the three main characters, Rick, Hoss, and Chumlee. Artifacts from patrons are researched and prepared for the show, as the odds of consistently interesting customers visiting the store are quite low. To learn about the odds of different outcomes, click here.
