All top TV executives will tell you that men in jeans, men with tattoos, men who curse, men who weld, men with power tools, men who like to smash and build things into fantasy toys, make high rated TV reality shows. They will add that their objective is to increase the number of male viewers because men watch much less TV (except News) than women. And since the TV series “American Chopper” is still able to pull an average of 2.2 to 2.8 million viewers per episode, 70% of them being male, the show got a hit TV Reality formula and is not going to fade away anytime soon…
Of course, I know in advance the type of reactions, positive or negative, that an interview of Paul Teutul Senior will provoke. The dividing lines between you as always been and will always be around these questions. What is the true contribution, if any, of the TV show to the motorcycle industry, to its participants and overall to all fans of custom motorcycles? Is the yelling relation between father and son, and now the rivalry between their competing shops, in itself the only dynamic of the show? Or did the show was good for the industry in its first episodes years ago on the Discovery Channel but no more because The Learning Channel latest version has drowned in a non-motorcycle drama?
As an introduction to Paul Teutul Senior interview I will only add 2 things. First, true personality of any individual in the public eye is often very different from its perception by the public at large through only a big or TV screen . Second, Paul Teutul Sr. is of course perfectly aware of the controversial nature of the show for some of you, but didn’t refuse my interview. I thank him for accepting to open up to all my readers and to reveal a little bit more than you know about his personality. (all photography courtesy to Cyril Huze, copyright The Discovery/TLC/David Lang)
Cyril . In High School, what your teachers said about you? Paul Sr. That I would be a failure.
Cyril. Who were your childhood heroes? Paul Sr. Roy Rogers, Fess Parker (Davie Crockett) and Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan)
Cyril . What was your 1st vehicle? Paul Sr. 1964 Dodge Dart
Cyril . If you were not working in the motorcycle industry, what would you do? Paul Sr. Steel fabrication and ironwork.
Cyril . What is your favorite way to relax? Paul Sr. Fishing and riding
Cyril . What is the last music you downloaded in your iPod? Paul Sr. Marvin Gaye
Cyril . What are you afraid of? Paul Sr. Failure
Cyril . Who is the person you would love to meet? Paul Sr. Jack Nicholson
Cyril . Which film made you cry? Paul Sr. Old Yeller
Cyril . Name five things you hate. Paul Sr. Liars, thieves, people who don’t keep their word, drugs & alcohol, and being late.
Cyril . What is your best life achievement? Paul Sr. Orange County Choppers and building an Electric drag bike that broke a world speed record three times this year.
Cyril . What do you miss most at home when you are on the road? Paul Sr. Working in my garage.
Cyril . What was the last book you read? Paul Sr. My book, Ride of a Lifetime.
Cyril . Where is your favorite vacation place? Paul Sr. My cabin in the mountains.
Cyril . Do you have any guilty pleasures? Paul Sr. I have a lot.
Cyril . Do you collect anything? Paul Sr. I collect challenge coins from the different branches of the military and other meaningful causes and I also collect classic cars and bikes.
Cyril . What was your worst buy? Paul Sr. 1964 Dodge Dart
Cyril . How do you take your coffee? Paul Sr. Dark with natural sweetener and a little bit of milk.
Cyril . What was the most embarrassing thing you have ever made? Paul Sr. I’m too embarrassed to say.
Cyril . What is the best thing you can cook? Paul Sr. Steak.
Cyril . When was the last time you were really angry? Paul Sr. When I was working with my sons.
Cyril . What is your perfect weekend when you are at home? Paul Sr. Driving my cars and bikes, fishing and working on my cars and bikes.
Cyril . What is your preferred rally? Paul Sr. Myrtle Beach.
Cyril . What is the worst question a journalist asked you? Paul Sr. “Are you really like that?”
Didn’t learn much from the answers of Paul Senior, but the TV audience intro is interesting.
I like the guy, and I like the show. I’d like to meet him someday. Good interview, Cyril.
Thanks for the interview Paul. As Cyril said, many of us believe we know celebrities based on what we see on TV and read in publications. The truth is that most people do not allow the general public to have access to their true self. And rightfully so. We all deserve our privacy and what we share with the world should be of our own choosing. With that said, I remeber the first couple of episodes……….and in my opinion, there was real motorcycle industry “meat and potatoes” to what was being done and displayed on television. I know you have little control over what the network wants to portray. I’d love to see some of the old back to basics material again. It speaks volumes for the craftsmanship and love of the machine without the drama.
-Darin
The man is probably nicer than his public image among some.
It really amazes me the way the viewers are split down the middle as you mentioned. Reality TV wouldn’t be reality TV without drama. So, I often wonder how much of this was provoked by the producers for more ratings/viewers. It’s really sad that because of the fame and fortune, a family has been torn apart. Paul Sr. overcame some huge challenges to straighten out his life and be there for his family. After all that, here he is alienated from his family.
I don’t really pick one Paul over the other. I think they both have their good sides, but it really sucks to see them not speak to each other. A family should never get to that point. I know they can be stubborn and bull-headed, but this is a little crazy. Come on guys, make it work. Life is too short to miss out on the good times.
I enjoy watching the TV show when I;m home just wish I could build a bike like that, can’t ride a bike any longer had my knee’s replaced can’t hold one up any longer. wish I could I would try to buy one just not able to buy one at this time.i WOULD IF i could I WOULD LIKE TOO RIDE ONCE AGAIN. back to the show its great keep it up guy’s. I’ll be looking forward to the next show.
To your point Cyril, he is very polarizing and while I agree that his television persona may not be anything like his reality it is hard to like this guy. The fact that he has no relationship with any of his sons and is in a legal battle with Jr. says to me that the TV Sr. & real Sr. are one and the same. A tell tale sign of that is in his greatest achievement statement above where he lists building an electric drag bike as his greatest accomplishment. As a father, I would say my children are by far my greatest achievement in life. BTW, he did not build the electric drag bike and could not in his wildest dreams build something that complex without tons of outside help! Hell, I don’t think the guy could build a working motorcycle if left alone to do it. Which gives me a great idea for a TV show. Why don’t we revive Build or Bust and see if Sr. can build a bike in 30 days.
I loved the show! I watched because of the ideas they came up with, themes of the bikes are
really creative. One day I hope to see Paul Sr in Myrtle Beach! Maybe pull up beside him on MY bike!
I thought he didn’t get the total respect he deserved as a father on the show but most hot heads
don’t have respect for anyone! I will be watching!!!!!
I would of liked you to ask him what his dailly drivers were,and how long can he ride on one of his customs …beccause as all bikers know,especiallly us aging one,that is are back and backside can’t take it like it used to
LOL- good points, MDSPHOTO….. It’s interesting that, in his mind, he “built” the electric bike. The level of delusion in this guy is what makes him fun to watch;
Hey Paul, btw- if OCC is so “successful”, then why is its current value “worthless”? Perhaps because the stuff coming out of OCC lately has been dreadful….
Respect to Cyril for introducing Senior very objectively and to Paul Sr. for not being afraid to do the interview knowing very well that he is a controversial character among those building custom motorcycles for a living.
American Choppers WAS the best show on TV. Then Vinny left. Then Paul Jr. left. Then Mikey left. I only watch the shows occasionally now. I miss the dynamic between all of them regardless of how dysfunctional it was. I remember an episode when Paul Sr. gave Paul Jr. a customized Ultra Classic. It was a gesture of his appreciation for his work. That is the ultimate gift that a Dad could give a son. I know both Paul Jr. and Mikey must miss the good aspects of working with him. I hope to see the three of them back together again unveiling a new bike.
Robert
Nov 24th, 2010 at 11:56 am
I remember an episode when Paul Sr. gave Paul Jr. a customized Ultra Classic. It was a gesture of his appreciation for his work. That is the ultimate gift that a Dad could give a son.
I truly hope a motorcycle isn’t the ultimate gift I could give my son.
I could only hope to get a call 3 days before filming was to begin from any network. Even if it turned out to be just my 15 minutes of fame and glory.
I have days when I can’t stand to watch the show and days when watching is my only respite from all the crap going on around me and mine.
I’m almost as old as Sr. and I have one son that I would lay down and die for if need be but there have been times in our relationship that I thought the damage had run too deep, some very similar situations as the Teutel’s. For the both of them, or should I say all of them, I hope they get through it, soon, before it’s too late.
From what I’ve seen of Sr’s. bikes before he started building for a living with all the hired help, looks like he could throw together some pretty cool old school stuff.
As for the shows, if you pull it down off the shelf, it ain’t that custom, really, but I’d ride that mule till the bottom fell out of her if I’d gotten the chance.
Just one ole’ bikers 2 cents.
I’m glad to see he’s on his own without those unfocused kids. I’m not a regular watcher but when I did watch I always wondered why he let them get by not showing up, taking time off, arguing, being unfocued, etc. After all, it is a business. I did think at the time that much of it was dramatized but I guess it wasen’t. And I think he’s building better bikes now than he did a few years ago. Good job and good luck Paul Sr.
Motorcycles + Television=Smiles in any form! Now let’s get to building and less bitchin!
How does the average person on the streets see his image ?
I do know that there are those who know nada about motorcycles see Paul Sr as a typical biker.
Good, bad or indifferent.
His exposure to TV viewers sets an image for most of us who ride. Try changing someone’s mind from what they have seen on the boob tube. Never happen.
Look at some of the old movies that many bikers believe in and your not going to change their minds
Kudos to Cyril for approaching him, and Sr. for consenting to an interview. Life goes on.
I no longer watch the show because I don’t like the drama. I haven’t taken sides because I believe it is a lot of blame on both sides. I did always think that Mickey brought nothing to the show and should’ve been left out.
So the man likes building motorcycles and his son makes him mad sometimes. Sounds like any normal guy who builds motorcycles and has a son.
The only difference is Paul is in the fishbowl getting stared at with a microscope.
The only reason I never watched this show was because I was too busy making custom motorcycle parts all day long and the last thing I wanted to do is to come home and watch it being done on TV.
I think my only gripe is that most of the people who watch the show know little or nothing about motorcycles and therefore believe the Teutels got their own TV series because they’re the best custom bike builders in the business.
I’d have a higher opinion of their product if it involved more actual [in-shop] fabricating and less sticking weird stuff on otherwise run-of-the-mill choppers.
Don’t make me post links to photos. You know it’s true.
Amazing……
My first car?
A 1964 Dodge Dart (push button automatic)
I always had a problem with the fact that neither Teutul were real bike builders. Sr. did nothing but wander around yelling. Jr. just came up with crazy ideas for parts that, most of the time someone else built and someone else usually had to figure out how to install. They could not design and build and part from scratch if they had to. That is the main reason I stopped watchin years ago.
Oh yes how we yearn for the good ol’days…Tearing the bumpers off of vehicles,driving trucks through the office of the old shop,driving trucks off into a pond..Just all kinds of degenerate stuff that also happens to drive wedge’s between father and son and send one into rehab from the excesses. Or maybe it was the abuses of a alcohalic and drug ridden father that started it years ago.
I’ll tell you from experience of being abused as a child and then getting pissed off at my dad and not speaking to him for seven years before he got sick and died. Both still bother me today.
SSDD; David
The bikes viewed on the show has inspired a few ideas for one of a kind gas tanks and fenders for the bike I am building, I really like old school styled bikes. I wish I had access to the tools and machinery they have on the show.
Is that a pet Yak? All I can think is that he’s gonna grill up some Yak steaks someday.
It bothers me when people say that neither Paul know how to build bikes nor know how to fab anything. Time and again they have shown both on TV fabricating something. Do they know how to do everything needed to build a custom bike,maybe not but neither do most builders out there. I for one do not know how to make a CNC machine take a block of billet and turn it into a wheel. I’d like to but I don’t. The point I am trying to make here is that there are very dew people who know how to do it all,from building a frame from scratch to building the motor to stiching up a seat and painting,chroming and powder coating the various pieces and parts. There are some who would say that the Pauls don’t know how to build a bike even if the Pauls went so far as to mine their own ore and make their own steel.
I have been in their shop and have seen what they do off camera. These guys are very focused and build bikes because they love to build bikes. Everyone has a big smile on their face whenever a new bike is fired up. They have been involved in many,many cutting edge bike builds when talking about new technology. I admit there are builders out there that build some very good looking bikes. they pour blood sweat into those builds and deserve all the respect they have coming for doing it. They also will spend 6 months or more building a bike like that. OCC is capable of building some amazing bikes. I have seen those bikes which were not TV builds. The problem is that a TV bike is under very strict time constraints and they don’t have 6 months to do one bike.
Anyway,i have a great deal of respect for Paul Sr and i understand his frustration with his sons. At some point,you have to draw the line and say enough. As much as it may hurt,you do them more harm than good by letting that kind of thing to continue on. At some point the kids need to step up and realize that not everything can just be handed to them and that they need to take some responsibilty and do their part to help the business grow and continue on.
I have 2 sons who help me in my business,1 who does what he can to help and the other is out for what he can get from the business. 1 who thinks about not just himself (and he still has a lot to learn) and the other who has not realized (giving him the benefit of doubt that he does not realize) how his actions affect everyone who works for us.We have had arguments and yes,he is my son but this business has people who work here and they are one of my responsibilities. I expect more from my sons and it can very frustrating when they don’t step up and do what needs to be done. It would be great if they would step up without be asked,cajoled,ect to get them to do the things that need to be done. I want them to be involved and they want to be involved but sometimes just don’t want to do the work that needs to be done. I call it lazy.
Well,anyway,the point is I understand Sr’s frustration and wish him all the best and hope that this gets worked out. i hope he and his have a good Thanksgiving as well as everyone else out there.
I can speak extremely highly of my dealings with Paul Sr as they have been of the highest caliber. I and my guys have thoroughly enjoyed every project with him.
I also have deep respect for Paul Sr. although have never met him. I only know him from the show. I feel both his sons should have a lot more respect for Sr. and realize what he has accomplished for them in spite of both sons holding Sr. back from his full potential. This man has grown from a backyard bike builder to an empire and top rated TV show without any co-operation from either son. How can both his sons let their relationship sink to such a low point with their father. I find that disgusting and this has nothing to do with bike building. Family life is sacred and are some of the most cherished moment that one takes with them. I know the sons will want to now be in an upcoming interview now because pops once again has led the way.
Would love to read an interview with the film crew that spent so much time putting this show together.
I was judge at a Bike show last weekend
The number of non bike people that came through the gate was large.
The reason for this is directly related to OCC being on main stream TV.
I do not know Paul Snr personaly, so I will not make a comment on the man himself.
I am just not that arrogant !!
I can say, he has helped many in the Industry sell bikes and has made the general public more accepting of our way of life.
The Show has been good to us all in some way or another.Many will say otherwise but they are just jealous.Life is too short for that sort of crap.
The show was informative ,funny and had Motorcycles in it.
Good on ya Mate
He reminds me of Leona Helmsley (and thats not really a bad thing). Obviously smart, works hard and put the whole deal together.
Mr.Teutull keep your help to charity, it´s the most important thing you can do.
I always enjoyed the show….The ongoing fighting did get annoying at times but was kind of “edgy” at the same time. However, it went way too far. It would make me a bit “down” somrtimes and would wear on my sensitivities. If Sr. or the boys could find a way to reconcile it would be good for all in the long run. Remember, family is one of the most important things a man can have and we don’t live forever. I don’t want to sound preachy, but having lived for 71 years, I know this to be true!
I bet he has a secret life…
I just wish he would keep it to himself.
Hmmmmmmm…. Interesting,\
Two diverse perspectives (Fuji -vs- James Wino)
RE:
“…His exposure to TV viewers sets an image for most of us who ride….”
RE:
“…he has helped many in the Industry sell bikes and has made the general public more accepting of our way of life…”
Which one is more accurate…???
Guess that depends on your perspective (industry participant -vs- observer).
IMHO,
Thanks to TV moronics, Adding “custom MC building” as a hobby on any Resume is now a detraction, not the asset, as it once was.
-nicker-
anyone of you Custom Builders can hinestly say that Paul Sr. or Jr. and OCC cant build a Bike are a MORON. They have Built created and Rode and Finished Bike that are Truely “Beyond Expectaion”. Cyrill , good Person to Interview, however you let Him off the answers with a 1 sentence answer. I think you need to Listen to Howard Stern, Seriously.
Excuse the spelling I didnt proof read, on my way to see Mother in Hospital.
OK, I’m going to pitch it here first. How about a reality show called “Takin’ On The Teutuls” that in each episode, either an up and coming builder or an established builder competes with BOTH Teutuls, Jr. and Sr. in a three-way competition. Judged blind at bike events like Biker Build-Off was. It builds off the tension between Jr. and Sr. and allows new blood to be discovered or those that feel that the Teutuls can’t build a bike to put up or shut up. Personally I’d love to see to juxtaposition of a builder who maybe build bikes in his garage versus the Teutuls with their state of the art facilities with millions of dollars in tools. The only equalizer being, Pauls Sr. and Jr. would have to do all the work themselves without the help of Jim Quinn, Jason Pohl, Rick Petko and the gang or Vinny and subs at Juniors shop.
Just a concept for lovers and haters.
The strangest thing about the show was that it was obvious that, whether they are talented or not at building custom bikes, none of them actually RODE bikes. Paul and Mikey showed no interest in riding. Vinnie admitted in one show that he was a “car guy”. Senior seemed to have an interest in riding, but I don’t recall ever seeing him commute to work on a motorcycle. To anyone who knows anything about riding a motorcycle it was clear that most of the theme bikes they built would be downright dangerous to actually ride. They never talked about things that would actually interest a biker, like what cam they were using, or what size carb or tires. The show really was not about motorcycling at all. It was just entertainment. To some, anyway.
love him or hate him he did a lot of god for bike promo on TV and promoted most fot he products too- ie TP Rolling thunder etc to main stream so cant be all bad- lots of people bought choppers and mid West etc make a lot of money – so must have helped US economy- and gt a lot of guys back into bikes- Mike
I think Cyril’s questions were appropriate for the subject of the interview.
I watch American Chopper on freeview here in England (shows are about 2 years behind the US at least). I watch it for entertainment & pure escapism and I think the Pauls, Snr & Jr were born to be the subject of a reality TV show! They ARE the subject of the show too: it has little if anything to do with custom motorcycle building or indeed art.
When Snr builds an old school bike the basics of it are assembled in a few hours from a ready made frame, motor, tranny and wheels: no searching for that elusive hub or headlight on Ebay, no cold mornings at swapmeets trying to buy a fender that doesn’t look shop bought or cost an arm and a leg! Those essentially are the necessary joys of building bikes in the old school way and style.. Oh well, one guy’s definition of “old school” isn’t the next guys I suppose.
Long may the show run and if I ever bump into Snr at least I know how he likes his coffee.. 😉
Merry Xmas everyone.
I watch this show and sad to see teutels splitting.
Patch up guys and wok on bikes.thats it.
i do watch the show
find them all to be very disfunctional
and can not figure out what is mikeys
purpose is on the show but to make him look like a total
moron with no purpose in life but to sponge off of senior
Those were the safest answers I’ve ever read.
Show is better now. No more of Mikey and Pauly.
Sure it was a t.v. writer scripting the stupid antics.
You should have shown his muscle car collection.
Rick,klthe fabricator has amazing talent.
Liked Vinny also,too bad he’s gone.
Gotta give it to Sr. He seen the brass ring and went for it. He also catapulted, Jr, Mikey, Vinnie, and Rick into fame, gave Cody a chance.
I’ve always like Sr. from day one, he’s an iron worker who lived in the real world. He never forgot where he came from, supported his own town Montgomery, the people who live and work there by including their businesses in the shows and the bike builds.
My observation from 3 different perspectives.
1) Motorcycle building.
Over the years watching season after season having the ability to recap via Netflix it seems to me that only a few of the employees ever took the time to research and read instruction guides written by the manufacturers. I have seen on the show time and time again inner primaries beaten on with mallets and have never seen them once align the driveline on a bike ever.
I have watched what appeared to be Paul Jr first time putting a top end on an Evolution motor with the watchful and instructional eye of the motor builder who had to correct him time and again.
There are countless other examples but I think those of you who actually know how an Evo motor differentiates compared to a Shovelhead or that 1966- 1969 were the only years that generator shovels were made know wherei am coming from.
Know on the flipside of the coin there has been quite few design aspects that brought a great deal to the custom industry in the areas of what can and can’t be done.
Then again Arlen Ness, Mondo, Sugar Bear, Dave Perewitz, Indian Larry amongst many other long time builders have made from scratch or very close to it custom bikes that not only look good but run and ride well at the same time.
The hard pill to swallow is that from an entertainment angle you would not see Arlen screaming at Cory therefore no drama.
Reality is that Vinnie, Rick, Cody, Paul Jr and a few others did the hands on and the two names mentioned first being the more knowledgable of the crew.
I personally would like to see both Pauls , Vinnie, Rick and Cody build the exact same bike with the same parts and see what the end result would be.
Great episode for gambling .
2) Entertaining obviously or we would not be discussing it.
3) Overly dramatic and hard to watch. Absolutely I am a father of 3 grown children and I have never nor would I raise my voice and carry on in such a manner or demean my children in private or in public for a kings ransom let alone for television ratings as well as what some may think a large sum of money is yet no where near enough to cause emotional scars upon my children for many years to come.
In the end a price will be paid for the actions taken upon one another but for their sake they better figure that out before it is too late cause as we all can testify to the fact that Paul Sr is not looking very healthy these days.
I knew Paul before he had the show and thought he was a great guy. I still think so because in person he is still the same guy he was before he ever had a bike in a magazine, let alone on a tv show
Paul Tutul SR.-kumir.Ya also fond of my sportom.Paul Tutul SR .– You’re cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! call me: 375 257 510 344.