Instead, Lizard Lick Towing became one of the anchor segments for a new reality show,  All Worked Up, on TruTV.  From that point on, Lizard Lick Towing’s popularity grew, which spun them into their very own show.  Lizard Lick Towing exposes all of what the crew does and what they deal with on a daily basis.

The show is currently in its third season and can be seen every Monday night at 10:00 PM (EST).

Lizard Lick Towing‘s popularity stems from a few elements.  It’s taped in a real southern neighborhood -something many people can relate to.  Also, the show’s lovable cast, with their “real” and “charismatic” personalities that we fall in love with, make each episode delightfully entertaining to watch.  And, of course, there is plenty of  the usual day-to-day drama that confronts the Lizard Lick team.

Ron Shirley, the co-owner of Lizard Lick Towing, takes his best buddy Bobby Brantley on some amazing adventures, deep into the North Carolina backwoods and repos cars from people, including the Army rejects.  You never know what they will encounter next.

Throughout the years, the folks from Lizard Lick Towing have been threatened numerous times with various weapons- guns, knives, and even the occasional flame thrower.  Under an extreme circumstance once, the crew was even held up in their office with a hand grenade.  They’ve repossessed everything from high-end collectible cars to surfboards and even deer.

In Season 2 we saw an ex-fiancé of Bobby Brantley’s, Micky, return and woo Brantley away from Lizard Lick.  Her first run-in with the team, even before the show aired, she stole thousands of dollars from Lizard Lick and broke Brantley’s heart.

When she came back, she put a real kink in the friendship between Brantley and Ron Shirley.  Basically, Mickey tried convincing Brantley that he was better off without Lizard Lick.  Brantely was eventually given an ultimatum by Shirley, and he chose to leave the team.  That choice cost Ron and Amy Shirley a dear friend, and nearly their business.

“Me and Bobby are tight as a frog’s butt and that’s water tight,” says Ron Shirley, and with that statement and an act of friendship, Shirley accepted Brantley right back into the Lizard Lick family.  They are now trying to save their ailing business.

One of the greatest aspects of the show is that it’s real.  The Shirleys and Brantley are not paid actors.  Lizard Lick Towing actually exists in Lizard Lick, NC.  Unlike many other reality shows out there today, what you see is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

TruTV also allows the Lizard Lick crew to just “be themselves”.  “When you see us bickering, it’s real, and when you see us loving, it’s real,” says Ron Shirley about the show.  The owner adds, “I really like that TruTV allows us to be ourselves.”

That means that when you watch this show, they are not acting and it isn’t scripted in any way.  The crew of TruTV tapes Lizard Lick as they are, as if no cameras are present.

Life of a Repo Man

Unfortunately, we’re in tough economic times.  Even some of the most well-off individuals find themselves in tough times, struggling to pay their bills.  When that happens, you may see Ron Shirley and Bobby Brantley come to your home, to take your ride.

“At one time, we were one of the most hated people in the community,” states Shirley.  He recalls a time when he had to check over his food to ensure it was only food he was eating, and walking down the street meant being glared at with powerful stares.  However, he didn’t blame them because his  job requires taking from people at their lowest times.

Since the show, that has changed.  When he pulls up in their driveways, he generally is met with a handshake and is asked for an autograph, especially at the local watering hole around town.

 From episode to episode, we’ve seen many life and death attempts on their lives.  Shirley states that what you see is the bad end of his job, but not all jobs are like that.  Sometimes he’s in and out before the owner even knows the car is gone.

What you may not know is why Shirley and his team don’t pull a gun or taser out on these whack jobs that attack them when they are confronted.  Well, the answer is quite simple.  In North Carolina, repossession companies can’t carry a gun or knife in their car.  The insurance company takes it to another level and says they won’t cover them if they have a bat, pole, taser or any other kind of weapon.  So to avoid being blacklisted, they rely on their intelligence, a skilled plan, and a friend who can fight!

Because of the fact they are not allowed to carry protection, and Ron Shirley has a family who depends on him, he has no problem saying that he’s pulled back a bit.  A few years ago he would have gone into location like a cowboy riding a tornado, without much care, but not when others are counting on him.  You could say, his family has helped tame his wild side.

When I asked Shirley about the situations he’s run into he replied, “It’s not the people who wave guns and knives in our face and the loud ones that we really worry about, they are usually all smoke in the mirrors;  instead, we worry about the silent ones who give you one warning and walk off.”

The repo business is a tough profession that takes a certain personality to master.  It has its good days and its bad days, and what you see on Lizard Lick Towing are the days that we should be thankful we’re safe behind a desk!

If you want to see a true reality show, portraying the real lives of repo men in totally unscripted situations, then I encourage everyone to turn into Lizard Lick Towing on TruTV.  It’s probably one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time.

If the Shirleys and Brantley show up to your residence, you can bet …. “You’ll get licked!”

So what if the Jersey Shore really is in its last season?  For some, it is good riddance, while for others, it is just too sad; our guilty pleasure, no more.

Though the shore gang will entertain curious audiences once again with their newest season, some die hard fans believe that Season Three might have really been their last.  For those not so familiar with the reality show, Season One started out on the famed Jersey Shore, but then producers brought the overly tanned twenty-somethings south.  Season Two episodes showed the big haired  New Jerseyans dancing and drinking all over the streets of Miami’s tropical South Beach.  Season Three reunited the cast with their former home on the Jersey boardwalk.

Now, with Season Four set to film, producers are back to changing locales once again.  This time they are looking abroad.  Florence, Italy will play host to the reality stars this time around, so let’s all pray the Tuscan town is ready.

There is no doubt that drama is synonymous with the Jersey Shore, but this time the tension started way before the cameras began to roll.  The first problem that arose was due to salary disputes among the cast.  Shocker, huh?  This season, Snooki, the Situation, and the rest of the gang demanded higher pay-per-episode than in previous seasons.  The cast members had pushed their salaries to over $10,000 an episode, after threatening to shut down Miami’s Season Three production, even before it started.  The Shore’s Ronnie, Sammi and Vinny were the first to come to terms with the established Season Four salaries and signed off on their contracts early on.  However, the remaining five decided to put up a fight and hold out for more money.  The dispute over episode pay resulted in the original April 18th film date being postponed to sometime in May.  A recent report states that all cast members were finally able to come to an agreement on salary.  It is unclear what the final negotiation was, but according to TMZ, everyone was “pleased with the outcome.”

In addition to their raises, some of the Jersey Shore cast will also be starring in their own MTV spin-off shows.  Gee, I wonder how much they asked to be paid for those episodes.  Well, in their defense, hair products have become expensive these days and we all can assume that seven nights a week of club hopping can be draining on the ol’ wallet.

It’s not just  money that has caused issues with the MTV production.  Italians living in Tuscany are not happy that the Jersey Shore crew will be walking their historic streets and dining in their five star restuarants.  Those living in Italy claim to be outraged that MTV is bringing their “insulting show” overseas, possibly tainting their beautiful city of Florence.  The locals say that Jersey Shore depicts Italians as “guidos” and “guidettes.”  According to columnist Roberto Del Bove of New Notzie, “They embody the worst stereotypes of Italians, multiplied by thousands and Americanized.”

Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, is prided for being hip and fashionable.  It’s a walking town and is easy to get around nearly everywhere by foot.  Florence is beautiful, historical and so not, well, the Jersey Shore.

The mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, has laid down some strict rules for the cast to follow while filming.  Renzi simply wants for his city to be treated with respect and portrayed on television in a positive light.  The mayor’s rules include the following:

1.  No filming in bars, clubs or anywhere else that “promotes the reckless consumption of alcohol.”

2.  The cast is prohibited from being filmed while drinking in public.

3.  Florence cannot be portrayed as a “drinking town.”

4.  The cast must interact with authentic Italians in Italian settings and promote Italy and its “culture and good food.”

In addition to the above, Renzi does not want historic buildings filmed with the cast, but does understand he cannot totally restrict MTV from using the city as a backdrop.

No public intoxication?  No clubs or bars?  We are talking about the cast of Jersey Shore, right?  If JWoww can’t be filmed urinating behind a bar inside of a club, then what’s the point of watching this new season?  And what about Snooki?  No more sitting in the backseat of police cars?  Maybe Season Three really was the Shore’s last season.  What will get fans to tune in now?  Authentic Italian culture, outdoor cafes and priceless works of art?  Um, yeah.  And without the clubs and bars, where will the Situation find all of his late night bedroom guests?

And speaking of bedrooms, MTV is keeping the cast members’ new residence a secret.  All that is known is their new home will not be anything we’ve seen in the past seasons.  There will be no beach house, nor will the group be staying in a hotel.  Some viewers speculate the cast will be staying in a hostel, but mum is the word til the season’s official premiere.

It is hard to know at this point how Season Four will pan out for the Jersey Shore crew, but one thing is for certain, we’ll keep watching.  For me, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself for an entire season without Ronnie and Sammi fights.  Though one is to wonder, will they yell in Italian now?

Week after week, she stood and faced the judges to a standing ovation drowning out the judge’s comments.  Jackie would tear up with joy and emotion, because those cheers were for her; and who wouldn’t at the age of 10.

Jackie is an exceptional singer, a voice so pure and innocent; yet powerful and heartfelt delivery with every octave that 10 year old sang.  Yet even in person, each week the judges remarked “I can’t believe that came from you.”

Yesterday surfing some video commentary on Pandora.tv I ran across a segment about Jackie.  It stated that America has questions about weather or not she really sang on “America’s Got Talent” or was she just lip syncing to a seasoned professional?

Howie Mandel set it straight she was not lip syncing when he asked her to do an improv note; yet people still think she has got to be a fake.  What I can’t seem to understand is why when someone is good at something, no matter how good, we have to challenge it’s validity. 

Last year during my interview with Jackie, I asked her to sing “How Do Angels Fly” a song off her debut album.  Jackie was more than happy to belt out a chorus from that song, and not only was it amazing, it was really Jackie; sure the sound quality is weak over the phone, but her singing wasn’t.  She had no idea I was going to ask her to do it, so there was no way to prepare ahead of time.

America, Jackie is the real deal.  I said before you have to see her to believe her and now America knows what I meant.  She brought that show to a whole new level, yet I am still baffled that she didn’t win; but all of us at The Expressionist are so proud of you Jackie.  We want to see you shine, and we know that show was exactly what you needed.

If you missed America’s Got Talent, watch her amazing performances on YouTube, and to buy her CD, go to http://jackieevancho.webplus.net/

It seems that nowadays reality television is what most households are tuning in to watch.  America was introduced to reality programming back in 1992 with MTV’s The Real World.  The show was considered to be just a documentary and not really classified as reality television.  Experimental in nature, The Real World was about seven young people from various lifestyles, cultures and backgrounds who were all brought together as roommates.  The show proved to be so successful, that it is now in its 21st season.  Each season launched a new cast of members into a new city, along with a new set of struggles, crushes and secrets.

Former cast member Glen Naessens spoke with The Expressionist recently about his experiences being on the second season of The Real World, Los Angeles.  Naessens said “fear” is what prompted him to audition for The Real World.  As an amateur film maker, Naessens learned that he had to be in front of the camera if he ever wanted to professionally direct.  Naessens admitted that at the time he was “living on the edge.”  He had a band called Perch, just had gotten his B.A. and was interested in pursuing a career in the movie industry.  At first Naessens was rejected at his Real World audition, but his luck soon changed after he was asked to replace cast member, David.  Naessens said it was a little difficult trying to adjust to his L.A. house at first.  Friendships amongst the roommates had already been established.  He felt, too, that the mood of the house was very conservative, especially with roommates Jon, a religious, aspiring country singer and Irene, who was employed by the LAPD.  Season Two of the Real World was much quieter and more tame than its successors.  

The Real World, according to Naessens, is all about bringing conflicting personalities together, especially during his season. He claims that MTV’s mission with the show was to make sure “things would happen” by bringing in very different and strong willed personalities that year.  Naessens took away a lot from his experience on reality television, including the friendships he made with fellow cast members, in particular, Beth Anthony.  He also has had the opportunity to make friends with other seasons’ cast members and even got to hang out with one of Real World’s most hated cast members, Puck.  Strangely, Naessens feels he even formed a mutual respect with the infamous cast member.  Naessens also had many favorite memories to recall, including the time when he and his housemates were urged not to have a huge party, but had one nonetheless without notifying production.  ”That was great,” remembers Naessens.  

If Naessens had a chance to do The Real World all over again, would he?  ”Sure, I would love to see those of us with families share a town and have to deal with our kids going to school together and all the challenges that family life and marriage entails.”  Sounds as if Naessens has an idea for a new reality series.

This former reality television star feels that in addition to MTV’s The Real World, Survivor made reality programming huge.  In 2002, a group of “regular, everyday” people were exiled to a remote, exotic island where they were forced to live off flora and fauna and  form alliances against one another in hopes of winning a million dollars.  Most people believe that Survivor launched reality television.  Naessens continues on to say how much a fan he is of the show.  ”At my house, we do ‘Sushi Survivor Thursday,’ so I look forward to it.  I get a couple sushi rolls, a Victory Golden Monkey beer and just sit and enjoy that hour of paradise.  Love it…love it…love it.”  

Reality television has been compared to living in a fish bowl.  Naessens tells us what it felt like to have cameras in his face 24/7. “It was awkward and very challenging to establish deep relationships.  Somethings in friendships should only remain among two people and not the world.”  Reality television not only makes its’ cast members feel exposed and vulnerable, but has also given some an outlet for romance.  The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are two of the better known reality love shows, not to mention the countless other dating reality series on channels such as VH-1 and MTV.  Old fashioned romantics may wonder, is this what finding love has come to in this modern age?  Others criticize that reality television has become too graphic and may be pushing the envelope on America’s morals.  After all, there is plenty of “in your face” drama such as the inevitable fist fights, sneaky romantic trysts and those naughty little alliances.  Cast members not so private sexual escapades are taped for the world to watch and intimate phone conversations are listened in on by millions.  But, perhaps, these are the very things that keep us watching reality television.  Without the drama, what would reality programming be?  For it’s this kind of drama that validates to most viewers that there are other people in the world who face the same set of problems in life that they do.  Heartache, broken secrets, jealousy, addictions and identity conflicts.  It is these struggles that reality television viewers find, comforting. Reality television even allows us to see celebrities in a more humble light, with shows such as Celebrity Fit Club and Celebrity Rehab.  After all, celebrities  have problems, too!

Naessens says that for him, reality television has taught him many valuable lessons.  Most importantly being that “you really don’t know a person until you’ve spent time being in their shoes, pants or bed!  We all have masks that we wear, but behind each person there are layers of special and not so special desires and regrets.  I choose to tap into desires and encourage people to do what they’ve always wanted to do.  Every time I see The Real World, I think, wow, how hot all the women are!  Then, I think, if I ever did a (Real World) challenge, could I hang with any of these new Real Worlders.  But, I always remember that there’s way more to these people than what we are all seeing…and that’s exactly what I experienced last year at the 20th reunion in Los Angeles.  What a blast!  I am so glad I went.”

Naessens concludes that he is very happy The Real World is still going strong today and refers to it as ” a special show.”  In fact, he feels it could be an educational tool to parents.  ”Parents should watch The Real World to stay in touch with the world their kids keep hidden.”  Americans’ lives may not be as private as we believe them to be.  Voyeurism is oddly exciting, other’s dramatic struggles and conflicts are consoling to our own and exposing what we do behind closed doors can be educational.

And to those who think themes or ideas for potential reality shows will inevitably come to an end, think again.  A new reality series springs up virtually everyday, with another one on its coat tails.  In fact, I think I heard something about the bachelor’s dog is looking for a love match.  Calling all french poodles!  Well, this may not really be the next reality show, but then again, one can never be too sure.

*Please check out Glen Naessens’ site, www.klausthered.com