Sam Memmolo
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More TV… Enough Las Vegas!
When you read this, we will have finished the second season of Two Guys Garage, and our twelfth full season on the air. That represents 52 half hour programs of “TGG”. Prior to “Two Guys Garage”, Dave Bowman and I hosted 52 episodes of “Crank & Chrome”, and 190 episodes of “Shadetree Mechanic”. I’ll do the math for you! That’s 294 TV shows. A tremendous amount of TV by anyone’s standard. “Shadetree Mechanic” ran for 8 years on the old TNN or Nashville Network, as well did “Crank & Chrome”. Two Gus Garage airs each week on Fox’s “SpeedChannel”. During the 8 year run of Shadetree Mechanic, Dave Bowman and I managed to get through 190 episodes, but only 189 were aired. One mystery show was taped, edited, and completely formatted for the network, but never saw the broadcast airwaves. The decision to “not air that show” was a result of internal politics and ego-tripping at the production company. Dave and I, along with the producer and a very hard working camera crew and audio guy, spent the better part of 4 days taping segments that the editors would weave into a finished show. In my opinion, the show was terrific. I have the only VHS copy in existence, and I treasure it. Why am I telling you all this? The show that never aired was a departure from our regular “How To” series, and was more akin to a magazine format show. Dave and I took the audience (an audience that would never get to see this show) on a complete tour of the fabulous SEMA / AAPEX aftermarket shows in Las Vegas.
The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) show is the glitzy show with all the latest High Performance products, custom wheels, body mods, etc. The AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) is the show for more traditional parts and equipment. These two show are held every November in Las Vegas and require two convention centers to house them. It is the largest show of its kind in North America. With thousands of exhibitors, in excess of 50 miles of aisles, and over 100,000 attendees, you get the picture! AAPEX / SEMA is not open to the public, but rather is a “Trade Only” show. Since most folks cannot attend, Dave and I decided to take everyone there via the camera. We had a great time taping the show, and I truly believe most enthusiasts would loved to see inside with their two favorite car guys hosting the tour. Well, six years or so later, Dave Bowman and I got another opportunity to tape a show at SEMA. (The show will air in February and then again 13 weeks later. All show topics can be accessed via www.TwoGuysGarage.com). Tuesday morning, November 4th, 2003 brought Dave, myself, and Bryan (our director / cameraman) to the Las Vegas Convention center on a mission. We spent days interviewing industry leaders, checking out special events and vehicles, and even speaking with CEO’s like Brian Roth of BD Power in Canada. Brian and his great team were there with a twin turbo Cummins “B”, boasting a million horsepower, and more torque than the instruments can measure! (Don’t hold me to accuracy here)! Our newest shows began airing in mid to late November, and will run through May 2004. As the 2005 season begins in March, we have more TV scheduled with Cummins, and hopefully lots more diesel folks as the diesel market continues to grow. Two Guys Garage is contracted for several more years, and we think we will make 15 years total at least. That’s a lot of TV! Now for Las Vegas. I’m sure many, if not most of the folks reading this have visited this fantasyland city, and hopefully enjoyed their stay. Diana and I have been traveling there each year to work at these aftermarket conventions for 12 years, and I worked at the NADA (National Auto Dealers Association) shows held there several times. There are numerous press events, receptions, and hospitality meetings that are required attendance. Las Vegas is the place to show your “One Upsmanship”! I had the distinct pleasure of a dusk flight over the Hoover dam, out over the dessert, and then down the “Strip” in a vintage DC-3. Maybe I can talk Robert into chartering Air Force One for a TDR event? For those of you who have spent time there, you know that 5 or 6 days in that city can wear on a person. The highlight of each trip for Diana and I is having dinner or a drink with Robert and Robin Patton. They attend the conventions to check out all the “happenings” at SEMA, and somehow we manage to get together for an evening or two, to just kick back and enjoy. This year it was double whammy! Diana and I had the honor of attending the first annual TDR dinner event hosted by the Patton’s. I’m sure that those TDR folks who attended would agree that it was an incredible time. Thank you TDR! Then it was Friday evening dinner with the Patton’s, and their friends, wrapped up with Jay Leno performing at the Mirage. What a week! Too much Las Vegas for me! I hope you’ll continue to tune into SpeedChannel and Two Guys Garage as we venture into our next season. Happy Motoring
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