New gun shop reality series on Showtime

[Spyvie]

Not sure what to think, but I do think I'll avoid this shop. I didn't know The Shootist was still open, having called thier listed number once only to get no answer and no recorded message.

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_9925949

Showtime sets reality show in Colorado
By Joanne Ostrow

LOS ANGELES — Showtime cable will use hidden camera footage from inside a Colorado gun shop to mount a new reality series, "Lock 'n Load," premiering in 2009.

The half-hour, six-episode series follows salesman Josh Ryan and his customers at The Shootist, a family-owned store in Englewood with a shooting range in the basement.

A range of customers, from housewives seeking protection to hunters, do business at the shop to the background sounds of guns firing downstairs. The network does not intend the series to take sides in the charged political debate surrounding gun culture. Rather, Showtime executives stress the relevance of the show.

"In light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Second Amendment," reinforcing the right to bear arms, "it is interesting to look at the fascination with guns in this country," said Showtime President Bob Greenblatt.

Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or [email protected]

 

[Steve N]

I would NEVER give my permission to be on a reality show, even in the background. And I sure as HECK don't want to be a "cast member" in one about guns. The fewer who know I have guns, the better. (who knows what the people are really called?)

I also won't give an interview to the media, after they butchered a simple one about a hobby I used to participate in.

 

[.cheese.]

too bad I don't get Showtime. I would actually want to watch this show. I think it would be really interesting to see what other people are doing/saying in gun shops.

 

[TallPine]

Next they need to film a reality show based on the shoe department at Walmart

 

[CRITGIT]

Next they need to film a reality show based on the shoe department at Walmart

Entitled: Soles On A Rack!

It's shouldn't come as a surprise to any that a subject so polarizing as guns would provide good fodder for a reality show!
It's got all the ingredients...voyeurism, sensationalism and "us v them".
Should be quite successful!

CRITGIT

 

[Phydeaux642]

This show will have to be listed as a comedy after some of the goofy things I have heard customers and sales guys say at my local shops.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Will the show last more than one season? Probably not. Does this show you just how far we've come? Yes. 10 years ago, Showtime would have been boycotted off cable for showing something like this.

 

[Hypnogator]

Could be a plus for our side. Since time immemorial, the major networks have ignored all shooting sports, even Olympic events, under the rationale that "No one cares about these sports." The real agenda, of course, being an unwillingness to show shooting sports in a positive light.

If this show generates any real interest, and doesn't portray shooters as kooks, it could do a lot to put pressure on the networks to cover some shooting events.

 

[.38 Special]

I imagine the program will show some regular folks and some kooks. And honestly, I'll bet the kooks get more play -- not necessarily because Showtime wants to portray all gun owners as kooks, but because the kooks are what people seem to want to see on these silly "reality" shows.

Honestly, I'd say about 25% of the gunshop visits I've made in my lifetime included at least one complete goofball asking insane questions about "Best caliber for killing illegals", "I need a cartridge for hunting ducks at 1200 yards", or "What caliber ammo should I use in my .45 Auto?".

So even if the show is 100% realistic, it's still going to make gun owners look bad.

 

[jagugator]

Cool because the wife talked me in to resubscribing to Showtime about two weeks ago.

 

[jakemccoy]

"it is interesting to look at the fascination with guns in this country," said Showtime President Bob Greenblatt.

That sounds like a condescending anti-rights statement.

The editing room for this fake reality show will have an anti-rights agenda, no doubt.

 

[Czar]

I wonder if The Shootist still has their holier than thou "rangemaster"

Not a bad range if you're not shooting your own makarov with your own ammunition... God forbid they use a magnet to sort out the steel cases...

Quit shooting there when I joined a private range... no regrets!

 

[jlh26oo]

I would NEVER give my permission to be on a reality show, even in the background. And I sure as HECK don't want to be a "cast member" in one about guns. The fewer who know I have guns, the better. (who knows what the people are really called?)

I also won't give an interview to the media, after they butchered a simple one about a hobby I used to participate in

We're going to need that story, please.

 

[feedthehogs]

Does this show you just how far we've come?

Only to the effect of what reaches producers will grab to broadcast the current trend of reality tv.

Anyone who believes this has anything to do with an interest in gun ownership/2nd amendment rights is fooling themselves.

What they are looking for is the same bubba comments we have here such as "do you fondle your gun while driving"?

They are looking to make the gun owner some sort of idiot.

Unfortunatly there will be many who will oblige them by signing a release for 15 seconds of fame while doing unrepairable damage to the image of responsible gun owners.

Face it folks, America is filled with stupid people who are just chomping at the bit to tell the world how stupid they are.

 

[Cliff47]

I wonder if this will be coming out on DVD for those of us that don't have the Showtime option.

 

[usp9]

Showtime should turn their hidden cameras on a few Move On meetings or network news editor meetings. I think those would be eye opening.

 

[crebralfix]

I cannot figure out how retail sales is going to be remotely interesting.

I guess they'll have a "diary" room where they can go and talk about their "feelings" in "private":

Whatever Hollywood thinks a hick is: "Yep, gonna drink me some beer and go shooting cats in the backyard with my new shootin' iron."

Valley Gurrl: "Well, you know, like, I feel, empowered, like, you know, powerful and all. What do you think pookie? Should I get the black one or the pink one?"

LA gay: "Does this AR-15 go with my new lipstick and man purse? I just feel so gooood about this long barrel. My boyfriend will love it!"

Old Man: "Hrrmph. Idiots."

 

[burningsquirrels]

i'm just afraid what they might try to make us out to be. last time i was on television they edited the crap out of what i said about a how bad a disaster was in southern california they made me into a comedy ending to their news brief. to hell with television.

 

[El Tejon]

Wow, how exciting, following a stool sitter.

The half-hour, six-episode series follows salesman Josh Ryan and his customers at The Shootist, a family-owned store in Englewood with a shooting range in the basement.

So, it will be three solid hours of a guy sitting on a stool telling everyone who walks into his store "NO!" Riveting entertainment.

 

[GEM]

Perhaps, Homer Simpson could film a few more episodes at his gun shop: Blood, Bath and Beyond.

So don't watch the show - watch the L Word instead.

Or Dexter!!

 

[AmishFury]

nevermind i read it wrong

 

[Henry Bowman]

The editing room for this fake reality show will have an anti-rights agenda, no doubt.

It will no doubt have a "pro-controversy" agenda. Controversy creates buzz and viewership.

 

[Czar]

like one where the only waiting period is the time spent waiting for the dealer to do the background check

There's no waiting period in Colorado.

 

[allank]

Since this is a "reality" show for TV "entertainment" I believe it will cause the same issues for the industry and participants as shows such as Ax Men caused in the logging industry. And nobody taking part will know what will be shown until they view it on TV since it is the editing that will determine the theme of the show.

 

[Steve N]

JLH2600: Not much of a story, really. I used to keep bees as a hobby. I kept them at a farm 10 miles from my home, same county, different city. I was asked by the local newspaper to give a phone interview about my hobby. I agreed because I wanted to support and grow this hobby. Reporter screwed up basic facts, like where I lived, kept my hives, facts about beekeeping, etc. I said right then that I'd never do another interview.

BTW, if I witness a crime, or one occurs in my neighbor, or any other event occurs that the media wants a "man on the street" response to, my response is "no comment".