‘Pawn Stars’ cast in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – Rick and Corey Harrison of the History Channel hit show “Pawn Stars” are here in Manila as part of their Asian Tour, leaving the world famous Silver & Gold Pawn shop for a while to promote the show’s 9th season.

Here are 10 reasons why Rappler loves the “Pawn Stars”: 

1. They’re hilarious.

Their humor is not the scripted kind and rather comes off naturally. It’s mostly because they know how to make fun of themselves.

During their press conference in a Makati hotel, Rick was asked why he thinks the show is such a huge hit in the United States and abroad.

He laughs, saying, “I have no idea. It’s a show about 4 fat guys working in a pawnshop.”

Corey quips that their show makes people smarter.

2. Awesome negotiating skills.

Rick is known as a shrewd negotiator and he won’t deny it. It’s all business, after all.

When it comes to negotiating, he says there is one way to come out successful: “The best negotiating tip I can ever give to anybody is, don’t ever feel as you [need] to have it. Always be willing to walk away.

“‘Coz if you’re not ready to walk away, you’ve lost the negotiation. You’ve lost everything. Always be willing to walk away.”

 

3. They’re fans of Pacquiao.

Rick and Corey shared a funny story on meeting Filipino boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao, before the fight with Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

“Manny seems to be a nice guy,” Corey says. “But I got to see him 30 seconds before fighting Coto and he looked like an absolute beast.”

“They should have stopped that fight. He destroyed Coto,” Rick said.

 

4. They know a lot of cool, historic trivia, but say they don’t know everything.

We see Rick and the Old Man talking about the back story and value of an item brought into their shop. But Rick said it happens that they also need help.

Who knows everything, anyway?

“I don’t know everything,” said Rick. “That’s usually the part of the show when I call in an expert.

“I know a lot, [But] I can’t know everything.” 

And, yes, they also make mistakes.

 

5. They’re family-oriented.

Filipinos have a high regard of family ties and this, Rick says, is what he thinks makes the show click among their audiences here and the rest of Asia. 

“I think it’s ‘coz it’s a family show,” Rick explained. “It has a little for everybody.

“We told them from the start that we’re not gonna be like one of those reality shows that just fight all the time, things like that.

“So we try to keep it a family show, for everybody. I hear from [the] others that their whole family gets to watch. Everybody likes a little bit of family banter. There’s a little bit for everybody.” 

Corey thinks Filipinos relate to the show through the stuff they own.

“I think it’s pretty much because everybody has that one thing in their attic or closet that they’ve had for years and years, and you don’t wanna throw it out because someone [says] they may be worth money and there’s a chance the very same thing might be on Pawn Stars.”

 

6. They do their research.

When asked if they did their research before going to the Philippines, Corey said friends have warned him against eating balut.

Too bad, because this duck-embryo delicacy is essential to the Philippine experience. In case he changes his mind, there’s always this viral video to convince him: 

 

7. Chum Lee.

He’s got a whole bucket of appeal and he’s arguably the funniest guy on the show.

 

8. The Harrisons have historical ties to the Philippines.

The Old Man has been to the Philippines a few times back in the day. And he brought home a souvenir. 

“He [Old Man] has a tattoo on his back of my mother’s name spelled wrong,” Rick said. “He [was] in 1960, True Story. My parents have been married for 55 years and to this day, they still fight about it.”

It’s a good thing the Old Man’s tattoo wasn’t featured here:

 

9. All the cool vintage things on the show.

If you’re a fan of the show, you would know the Silver & Gold Pawn Shop is home to some of the most interesting finds, with the items having their own stories.

Like the ormolu clock made in the 1800s that Rick started calling “The Death Clock.”

Rick said the gilder who made it probably died before he was 35 because of mercury exposure while he was making the clock. 

 

10. They love Filipinos.

Corey says he and Rick are really happy with the hospitality they’re experiencing in the Philippines. Filipinos are the friendliest people they’ve met ,they said.

They’re just as excited to meet fans and people who might have something interesting to sell. 

Rick and Corey will be at the Glorietta Activity Center on Saturday, August 24, to meet their fans.

“Pawn Stars” airs on the History Channel every Monday at 10:00 p.m. 

– Rappler.com