Motorcycles make room for weddings
on new American Chopper

Thursday, 15 April 2010
ClutchAndChrome.com

The latest incarnation of the custom motorcycle building show, American Chopper is promising surprises even as it appears to ride down some familiar roads.

While the new series may come with a slightly new title, ‘American Chopper: Senior versus Junior’ some of the style maybe hauntingly familiar. Apparently, most of the familiar faces from the world-famous custom motorcycle family business run by Paul Teutul Sr. and his fiery sons, Paul Teutul Jr. and Mikey will be returning to the small screen.

Entertainment reporters and die-hard fans have both been asking if the new cast will include Vinnie DiMartino and Cody Connelly, who left the show to start their own custom motorcycle shop. No answer has been given, but with the economy battering motorcycle builders around the world and American Choppers being the masters of staged, dramatic marketing, the question answers itself.

The family member that was wildly rumored to take up the television reigns of the American Chopper dynasty during its brief cancellation may make an appearance as well. Being called a ‘free agent’, Mikey Teutul is expected to be back.

And following in the tire tracks of prior seasons which had the family of motorcycle builders visit other high-profile figures and reality stars, viewers can expect to see Paul Junior’s fiancée appear on wedding shows such as ‘Say yes to the dress’ and ‘Cake Boss’.

But Paul Junior has been busy himself this week, taking the press and camera crews around his new, competing location, a 7,200-sq. ft. warehouse on Stone Castle Road which will be called Paul Jr. Designs custom chopper shop.

Whether real or not, the legal dispute between father and son over stock options is still reportedly an ongoing concern. In December 2009 a lawsuit was filed by Paul Teutul, Sr. against his son, claiming he had an agreement to purchase stock Paul Junior held in Orange County Choppers Holdings, Inc.. According to court documents a letter was sent to Paul Teutul Jr. to exercise the purchase but he wouldn't release the stock.

It appears it’s still the intent of Paul Senior to pursue the stock options but reporters have been told the father has made an agreement with Discovery Channel that allows Paul Junior to run a competing business.

The most unusual aspect of TLC bringing back the American Chopper series are the viewership figures being quoted by the station’s executives. Claiming TLC is the fastest growing network for women, the cable channel has posted double-digit growth 2009 vs. 2008 and delivering its highest ratings in five years.

Aside from American Chopper, the programming lineup for TLC’s new television season includes four wedding programs, four food-based shows and four more about families including the updated version starring Kate Gosselin without her husband.

"The fact that TLC has 15 series delivering over one million viewers shows that our content is connecting," says Eileen O'Neill, president and general manager, TLC. "Our audience comes to us for compelling real life stories and inspiring characters that they can't find anywhere else on television. And next year, we're giving viewers more of what they love by bringing back beloved personalities, investing in returning favorites and unveiling unexpected new series."

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