The brief history of Fast N' Loud has been marked by a plethora of on and off-screen drama, and numerous firings that could serve as the foundation for an entire spin-off series!
True Story behind Fast N' Loud
When it made its debut in 2012, no one could have foreseen the immense success of Fast N' Loud, a reality TV show centered around a passionate group of car enthusiasts uniting to restore and craft custom cars. While other series like Overhaulin' and Pimp My Ride indicated an existing audience for car content, Fast N' Loud proved to be a surprise hit, captivating viewers not only with the thrilling classic car builds by the Gas Monkey Garage crew but also with the dramatic events, both real and manufactured, that unfolded within its walls.
The show's central figure and host, Richard Rawlings, is a successful entrepreneur and self-proclaimed petrosexual, yet he also became a significant source of the show's challenges. During the earlier seasons, Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage's lead mechanic, Aaron Kaufman, embarked on journeys across the United States, seeking old, rundown cars with immense potential for restoration.
The main objective was to restore these cars and sell them at auctions for the highest possible price, aiming to generate profits. However, achieving this goal demanded significant effort to not only bring the cars back to their former glory but also to turn them into unique masterpieces crafted by the talented mechanics at Gas Monkey Garage, a feat accomplished in every episode. Despite the captivating portrayal on reality television, there is often more to the story than what meets the eye.
Similar to other reality TV shows featuring assertive and business-minded personalities, such as Gordon Ramsey in Hell's Kitchen or Donald Trump in The Apprentice, Richard Rawlings also exhibits comparable traits.
Richard Rawlings: The Constant Drama Companion
True Story behind Fast N' Loud
Both on and off-screen, Rawlings was consistently entangled in controversy. Over the course of the show's history, he experienced numerous conflicts with some of his staff, leading to employees being swiftly ousted from the garage after a confrontation with him. This pattern occurred several times.
One prominent departure was Rawlings' lead mechanic, Aaron Kaufman, who left under mysterious circumstances. Eventually, Kaufman disclosed that he departed due to personal and professional disagreements and the belief that the show was stifling his creativity. Surprisingly, Kaufman was not the only member of the Gas Monkey team to bid farewell to the garage.
Two additional cast members, Tom Smith and Jordan Butler, also departed the show due to conflicts with Rawlings. Their disagreement stemmed from a dispute involving a fan and one of Rawlings's cherished cars. Smith went on record to state that he and Butler decided to leave after a fan with cystic fibrosis visited the garage to take photos with one of Rawlings's vehicles.
Rawlings resorted to using profanity and ordered the fan to step away from his car, but eventually, Tom Smith and Jordan Butler found themselves back on TV. They became part of Misfit Garage, a reality TV show with a similar style.
Off-screen, Rawlings faced challenges in his second marriage. The strain on his ten-year relationship with Suzanne Mergele intensified due to the pressures of managing his professional commitments, leading to a split. However, fortunately, they were able to reconcile and remarried in 2015.
Rawlings encountered further off-screen troubles during his time as the star of Fast N' Loud. Venturing into the hospitality industry, he opened the Gas Monkey Bar and Grill, which, like the show, was not without controversies. Notably, after a sting operation, they faced scrutiny for replacing premium liquor with inferior substitutes.
Fast N' Loud: Speeding Into Controversial Territory
True Story behind Fast N' Loud
The controversies surrounding the show go beyond Rawlings' on and off-screen actions. The producers faced criticism for their portrayal of the modified Dodge Dart, known as the "Shart Cat," on Fast N' Loud. As is often the case with reality TV, the boundaries of reality can be stretched, but the depiction of the "Shart Cat" may have crossed the line.
The Shart Cat encountered numerous technical issues, particularly with its transmission, which were downplayed by the production crew. Moreover, the car required a complete dismantling and reassembling of its computing components, a task carried out by Diablosport. The production team made it appear as if this extensive rebuild was accomplished almost overnight, suggesting it was a simple task, which couldn't have been further from the truth. The reality of the situation was far more complex and time-consuming than what was portrayed on the show.
Fast N' Loud's brief history is filled with both on and off-screen drama, a significant number of firings that could have spawned a spin-off series, and the notoriety of the messy "Shart Cat." However, in the world of reality TV, drama and controversy often serve as the benchmarks for success. Therefore, despite its cancellation after 16 seasons, Fast N' Loud will be remembered as a triumphant reality TV tale.
The Possibility of Fast N' Loud Making a Comeback
Despite the drama and controversies, there is a strong desire for the return of Fast N' Loud because it is challenging to find another automotive show that offers a well-balanced mix of craftsmanship and drama. While shows like Car Masters: Rust to Riches, Rust Valley Restorers, and Graveyard Carz exist, each caters to specific audiences, making Fast N' Loud's unique blend of elements highly sought after.
In 2020, Richard Rawlings, the star of Fast N' Loud, made an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. During the conversation with Rogan, Rawlings confirmed that Fast N' Loud had indeed been canceled. Any rumors you may have encountered about the show being revived or a new cast joining are completely false. Fast N' Loud has been canceled and will not return to the airwaves.
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