BLOGS
The TruTV series Full Throttle Saloon starts its third season tonight, albeit without the fanfare of a Jersey Shore or a Real Housewives of fill-in-the-blank. But that doesn't mean it is any less compelling. The show focuses on the popular bar at South Dakota's famed Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and features lots of drunken people, loud music, half-naked women and a ton of money. Toss in some volatile relationships and you've got a solid reality show with rough-around-the-edges personalities that don't ham it up for the camera the way that the Situation or Lisa Vanderpump do.
Hot Girls
Full Throttle is more scantily clad than the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. There's no blurring of thongs here, just a ton of hot dancers and customers who have no trouble wearing skimpy outfits (when they bother at all), most of them extremely attractive. And that's not even counting the ladies of Flaunt, the saloon's trashier version of the Pussycat Dolls (we mean that as a compliment).
The "Family" Dynamics
Michael Ballard owns and operates the Full Throttle for ten days every year and while he thinks about selling every season, we can't imagine him without the place. His massive attraction draws in big crowds, and he seems to thrive on the pain that the business entails. His long-time love is Angie, who heads up the aforementioned Flaunt troupe and also runs a little corner called Angieland, which largely seems to involve her sitting on top of random guy's heads to show off her best asset. Ballard's entire family is always hanging around, and they really go for the gut when they bicker... and the more they squabble, the more enjoyable this show becomes.
The Ridiculous Performances
Last year, Jesse James Dupree (the lead singer of Jackyl, not to be confused with the cheating slimeball Jesse James) had himself shot out of a giant cannon across the front of the entire venue. It was pretty fantastic and this season it looks he's going to outdo himself, possibly by leaping from an insane height. He uses more pyrotechnics than we've ever seen in one place and has an unhealthy obsession with chainsaws. But as he's the Full Throttle's event producer, charged with booking and wrangling some often demanding acts, he and Ballard get into it pretty good as well, much to our entertainment.
The Unique Visitors to the Rally
This show would be nothing without the patrons who shell out money like it is nothing and get really drunk and behave inappropriately with the shot girls. Watching these bikers mingle, brawl and get tattoos of the Full Throttle Saloon is an endless source of amazement. Pair them with the odd people that work at FTS (such as our personal favorite, Fajita Mike) and you just never know what will happen.
The Cash Money
In this day and age where credit cards are king, it's incredible to see the stacks of money being thrown around at the Full Throttle. And watching Ballard deal with people who are stealing from him (thanks to some helpful security guards, who deserve hazard pay) is impressive. The way he counts each single dollar in the hopes that his business will succeed (taking occasional breaks to stare at weather reports in the hopes that Mother Nature will cooperate) has a bizarre -- and realistic -- desperation about it, which we don't normally get to see on shows like Pawn Stars or Hardcore Pawn.
There's An Edge to It
This show has a gritty vibe that counterculture shows like L.A. Ink tried and failed to capture. This show does it with ease just by showcasing the different walks of life who come to the bar. Honestly, we had no idea so many people were still obsessed with Jackyl. Or even knew who Jackyl was, for that matter. And where else are you going to see little people wrestling? TLC?
Think you're a TV or movie expert Prove it! Play Trivia Without Pity, our new online trivia game with over 2,000 questions about the shows and films you love -- and love to hate.
What are people saying about your favorite shows and stars right now? Find out with Talk Without Pity, the social media site for real TV fans. See Tweets and Facebook comments in real time and add your own -- all without leaving TWoP. Join the conversation now!
MOST RECENT POSTS
Today's TWoP News: Wednesday, February 20, 2013
New Girl: Roomate Do's and Don'ts of the Week
Wednesday, February 20, 2013: American Idol
Today's TWoP News: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Saturday Night Live: The Best Sketches of the Night
TV on DVD: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013: Cult
I Want My DVD: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
BLOG ARCHIVES
The Telefile
February 2013
21 Entries
January 2013
62 Entries
December 2012
44 Entries
November 2012
59 Entries
October 2012
69 Entries
September 2012
66 Entries
August 2012
65 Entries
July 2012
51 Entries
June 2012
58 Entries
May 2012
68 Entries
April 2012
71 Entries
March 2012
68 Entries
February 2012
64 Entries
January 2012
78 Entries
December 2011
49 Entries
November 2011
56 Entries
October 2011
74 Entries
September 2011
77 Entries
August 2011
61 Entries
July 2011
56 Entries
June 2011
57 Entries
May 2011
57 Entries
April 2011
78 Entries
March 2011
73 Entries
February 2011
57 Entries
January 2011
65 Entries
December 2010
39 Entries
November 2010
45 Entries
October 2010
46 Entries
September 2010
62 Entries
August 2010
55 Entries
July 2010
53 Entries
June 2010
65 Entries
May 2010
59 Entries
April 2010
57 Entries
March 2010
67 Entries
February 2010
53 Entries
January 2010
59 Entries
December 2009
32 Entries
November 2009
47 Entries
October 2009
65 Entries
September 2009
66 Entries
August 2009
58 Entries
July 2009
72 Entries
June 2009
71 Entries
May 2009
50 Entries
April 2009
57 Entries
March 2009
66 Entries
February 2009
52 Entries
January 2009
56 Entries
December 2008
51 Entries
November 2008
71 Entries
October 2008
88 Entries
September 2008
86 Entries
August 2008
120 Entries
July 2008
115 Entries
June 2008
90 Entries
May 2008
44 Entries
April 2008
30 Entries
March 2008
26 Entries
February 2008
30 Entries
January 2008
44 Entries
December 2007
31 Entries
November 2007
66 Entries
Comments