The “Dirt” on Rick Harrison

It appears  men have “clearned up their act” when it comes to household chores.  According to some recent statistics compiled by Swiffer, the percentage of guys getting tough on grease stains and doing time on dish duty has increased 14% since 2005.

You can attribute part of that impressive statistic to Rick Harrison and his rolled-up sleeves.  Housework isn’t something he’ll try to “pawn” off on anyone else. I caught up with him at the Las Vegas Bike Fest this past weekend to get the dirt on his tidyness and see why “Pawn Stars” still shines.

ME:  It’s funny because I just recently read that the division of household chores is actually a cause for divorce these days in America and here you are at Bike Fest with Swiffer at your side.

RICK HARRISON:  I think it’s really neat — and it sort of relates to me.  I’m pretty successful because of the economy.  The bad economy was really good for my show.  But, with this economy you’re finding more women working and some guys staying home and I thought this “Man Up, Clearn Up” campaign was a cool concept.

ME: What is your perception of the typical household today?  You see people from across the board come through Gold & Silver Pawn.  

RICK HARRISON: I actually know people where the roles have sort of reversed.

ME: Well, in the time spent in line trying to even get into your store, someone could clearn two houses top to bottom….the show is doing absolutely amazing.

RICK HARRISON:  Oh yeah.  We are still averaging 4 to 5,000 visitors a day.  Ratings are just as good as ever and I’m still baffled by it.  I mean, it’s a show about four fat guys in a pawn shop.  I thought we’d only get a season or two.

ME: You did something right — look at all of the spin-offs now: “Hard Core Pawn,” “Storage Wars,” “Shipping Wars,” “Repo Games,” and so on.

RICK HARRISON: I think there are 32 shows right now competing.

ME: And  you were sort of the pioneer in all of this — people are trying to copy your business model.

RICK HARRISON: Some of them, I like the way they copied — others are just blatant.

ME: What is one of the most unique pieces that has come through the store recently?

RICK HARRISON: The thing is — I”ve done this so long it’s not really unique to me anymore.  But, if you go down to the shop — I have a 1947 Hudson that looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.  There’s a million things that come through there — I get cool stuff every day

ME: Any spoilers with the show that you can talk about?

RICK HARRISON: We just signed up for another 80 episodes.  You might remember a year and a half ago we had the longest reality show contract in the history of television.  We just signed the same thing again.  Everything is more or less the same.  The great thing is the show has become so popular that we’re getting so much more cool stuff.  People are flying in from other countries to try and sell it on the show.

ME: Is there a limit to what you’ll take?

RICK HARRISON: If I can make money on it, I’m going to sell it!

ME: And finally — what is one thing you think people can do to be better citizens in this world  in this day and age?

Rick Harrison: Sit down with your kids for an extra 5 or 10 minutes a day and talk to them.  I have three grand-kids, three of my own kids and three step-daughters.  A little interaction with them — a pat on the back and tell them the good things about them.  They hear enough bad, let them hear something good.

Just so you don’t think Rick has gone completely squeaky clean on us, he did arrive at Bike Fest on his motorcycle.  Talk about prime parking!  And Gentlemen, don’t kick up your feet just yet — your work isn’t done.  Swiffer would like you to polish your writing by gracing the company’s Facebook page to share your thoughts on sharing the housework.  One final housekeeping item — enjoy some coupons to save on Swiffer’s cleaning products.