“Hardcore Pawn” Chicago, Not So Hardcore
Guess what? The reality TV show, “Hardcore Pawn: Chicago” – the show that is filmed below the hotel for men on Clark St. – is totally staged! I photographed them filming what looked to be someone getting thrown out – he was an actor! Hardcore Pawn isn’t so hardcore. At first I thought it was for real, but then I noticed that the man who appeared to be yelling and cursing just a moment before, was now standing next to a film crew security guard, calm and smiling.
The owner of the pawn shop also owns the hotel. He gets all the poor people’s money from both ends. Word on the street is, they also take stolen goods. I’ve had words with the Royal Pawn security guard and “fur expert,” Lee Rogers in the past for bullying the poor people.
They attempted to tell me that I could not take photos. I said, “smile!… Click! I’m on a public sidewalk.” One guy even grabbed my arm for a moment… wrong move – that’s when you pull back HARD while mentioning you’re with the press, repeat the words “public sidewalk,” while tossing in the words “my attorney” in there somewhere. I also like mentioning that I’m wearing a recording device, and that every word is being recorded. That generally puts a cap on any more threats. Ahh yes… just another day in Chicago, filled with fun things to do, play, and projects.
This is a photo from a confrontation between Lee Rogers and myself captured last month by fellow street photographer, Joe Seleb.
I’ve never watched the show, but they filmed the confrontation. That would be too funny if they had my gnarly ass in the next episode!
There has to be something missing in a person in order for them to own a pawn shop…
Souvenirs, John Prine and Steve Goodman
httpv://youtu.be/aOTbg39-I5Q