Friday, June 15, 2007

Has Pimp My Ride Jumped the Shark?

With the exception of "True Life" and sometimes "Made," about the only damn thing left on MTV I can stomach nowadays is "Pimp My Ride." It's also one of the few guilty pleasures which Mr. Salty and myself can both enjoy. Well, to be honest I think he likes it a bit more than I do, but regardless. "Pimp My Ride" is kind of a double edged sword of a television experience. On one hand, the customizing of the cars in itself is a pretty interesting to watch, (I especially like when they fix up the classics) and a lot of the stuff they do is so ridiculously badass. Plus, host Xzibit is really, genuinely frigging hilarious -- and not even in an ironic way. You gotta appreciate someone with an art for the reaction shot, even if he probably is stoned half the time.

But on the downside, most of the kids whose cars get their cars pimped are snot-nosed, unappreciative assholes who will most likely go on to assily show off with the cars -- subsequently wrecking them. I've actually seen evidence of this thanks to an "update" show. Plus it's one thing to install a computer, gratuitous monitors, or even a playstation in a car... But I draw the line at snowcone machines and waterfalls. It's like, fucking enough already. I know I certainly wouldn't want all that crap in my car.

Although we still don't watch this show on a regular basis, lately I've been noticing some changes to the format which concern me. For one thing, for the past season or two they no longer fix up the cars at West Coast Custom. I liked the guys at West Coast. They were overall pretty tolerable and entertaining to watch. They've still got Mad Mike, who appears to be the one in charge, but now they're working at some custom shop with a bunch of lame white assholes. Who wants to see that? Especially when they look like this douchebag, whom I believe is going for "Sonic the Hedgehog" with this style.

And then, to add insult to injury, the last time we tuned in Xzibit wasn't even hosting. I can't find any info if this is permanent or not, but I really fucking hope not. Seriously, Xzibit is awesome and if you don't have Xzibit what's even the point of "Pimp My Ride?" Plus? His replacement was some retard named "Chamillionaire," which is absolutely the most idiotic rap name I have ever heard. The last time I saw such a crappy bait and switch was Becky No.2 on "Roseanne." (Bless your heart, Sarah Chalke.)

If anyone has any news about this, please pass it on. My Saturday afternoon television watching outright depends on it.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Yikes, looks like they've got a Super Saiyan doing all the custom work now.

Chris said...

Whenever you're in danger of jumping the shark, just pimp the shark. Problem solved.

I think.

TK said...

They have absolutely jumped the shark. This used to be the only MTV show I'd ever watch. It was funny, kind-hearted and pretty interesting. It sucks balls now. So MTV is now officially dead to me.

Except that Mrs. TK has developed an unhealthy fascination with both My Super Sweet Sixteen and that fucked up show about underage rednecks getting married. Jesus, my home has turned into a house of horrors.

Anonymous said...

Ooooh...I secretly love engaged and underage too. If only because deep down in the spot where I used to have a heart I am deeply rooting for their marriage to FAIL. Because we all know they will..especially when BOTH sets of parents think they are insane to get married. LOVE that show.

sme said...

I had a dream about Pimp my Ride the other night after reading this blog. Xzibit was there, and Toto, and you too, litely!
Actually, you weren't in my dream, because that would be weird. I guess having a dream about Xzibit pimping my crappy car-car is weird, but whatever. I'm weird.
I used to watch Pimp my Ride a lot when I hung out at my loser ex-boyfriend's apartment. It was probably the only thing I could tolerate on Mtv (aside from Sweet Sixteen (to make fun of) and watching the Philly version of Real World (to also make fun of)). I hope they didn't get rid of Xzibit - he's fuckin hysterical.

Vesica said...

I liked the general idea of "Pimp my Ride" but the spoiled, entitled little brats who owned the cars always sort of ruined the show for me. I'd say the show jumped the shark a LONG time ago.

However, it did lead me to watch far more "Trick My Truck" on CMT than I ever thought I would admit in public. Unlike the "Me, me, ME" 20-somethings on "PMR", the folks on "TMT" tend to be semi-truck drivers who spend most of their time on the road in their trucks trying to support themselves or their families. Somehow watching these guys get DVD players and a massage chair in the cabs where they sleep while on the road is a lot more emotionally satisfying than watching some kid get an fish tank containing a real shark installed in the back of his VM Rabbit. *shrugs* Just my two-cents (and my daily dose of "I feel SO old when I let my contempt for my fellow 20-somethings show").

Anonymous said...

Definitely jumped when they switched repairmen, LS.

Yeah, they're getting out of control with these pimps. (pimping?) I always wondered if the pimpees don't mind the fact that they can't use the backseat of the car anymore. It's the first thing that's pimped. And some of the stuff is just silly: a sink in the trunk, or a stereo underneath the car.

I saw that ep with the updates. Can you believe that guy had the nerve to ask Xzibit to pimp his ride after he'd wrecked it THREE times? What an asshole.

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