I like watching stuff like American Chopper, Monster Garage, and Junkyard Wars because I like to build things and watch things being built.
When I talk with my dad (who is a mechanic) about the shows, he says that a lot of them look "set up," especially Junkyard Wars. He argues that a lot of the parts (pumps, valves, etc.) to build the machines are conveniently placed in the yard so that they usually don't have to be built from scratch. He'll call bullshit on Monster Garage when they get thousands of dollars worth of freebies simply because it's Jesse James and his TV show.
Gearheads like my dad and guys like me that're interested in the construction of things will watch these shows regardless. We've worked in shops. We've fabricated before, on various levels.
For Joe Schmo on the street that doesn't know shit about tools, building, or necesarily like cars or bikes, there needs to be some kind of draw to a show about building motorcycles or hot rods.
People screaming and fighting about stupid shit seems just as good a reason as any to watch the show, I suppose.
