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(ARA) – If you’re bored with all the reality shows on television, Scott Gillen created his show for you. Gillen is the producer of “Build or Bust,” a show where an ordinary motorcycle enthusiast, known on the show as “The Wrench,” gets the chance to build the custom motorcycle of his dreams – or go down trying.
Gillen, an award-winning commercial producer, says he came up with the concept for his show “by watching other crappy shows.” What makes his show stand out, he says, is that it’s not a reality show, it’s real life, unscripted. “In other reality shows, you know what the outcome will be,” he says. On “Build or Bust,” the outcome is never a sure thing. If The Wrench doesn’t complete his bike in time, he walks away with nothing. “In our first 11 shows, we’ve only given away four bikes,” says Gillen.
The show is part of the lineup on SPEED Channel, a cable network dedicated to motor sports. The stakes are high – the bikes being built on the show are worth between $50,000 and $80,000 when they’re finished. “We give the average guy a chance to win an amazing motorcycle,” says Gillen. Each participant is given 30 days to build his bike from scratch. If The Wrench completes the bike, it’s his to keep; if not, he leaves the bike behind.
“Build or Bust” is part of a genre that has found increasing popularity recently. Shows like American Chopper, Biker Build Off, and Texas Hardtails all focus on the mystique of motorcycles. But Gillen’s show offers a refreshing twist on the formula of watching professional motorcycle builders face off.
“When I watch other motorcycle shows that center on competitions between professional builders, I know they will build the bike,” says Gillen. “In our show, you never know if the guy is going to make. In fact, I am sure that most will not.” The show is emotionally driven, and the emotions are often raw as the stress of trying to complete a bike in 30 days starts to build.
Motorcycle enthusiasts who want to take a chance at building a motorcycle apply on the show’s Web site. They answer questions about why they’d be a good choice and what kind of a bike they’d build. Once someone is chosen for the show, the pressure is intense.
“The Wrench doesn’t get the respect of the crew until he earns it,” says Gillen. What they do get is the parts and tools they need as well as a shop in which to work. They also get a certain amount of advice, as well as a lot of abuse, from a master motorcycle builder. Motorcycle enthusiasts will recognize the names of the master builders who are part of the show – Russell Mitchell, Jesse Rooke, leather seat maker Paul Cox, designer Roland Sands and others.
While all of The Wrenches in the show’s first season were men, there will be female Wrenches on the upcoming season of “Build or Bust.” When asked if he has any favorite Wrenches, Gillen says he has an appreciation for anyone who drives hard to win. “Building a custom motorcycle in 30 days is not for the faint of heart,” he says.
Catch all the drama of the new season of “Build or Bust” on Speed Channel. For program information, visit www.speedtv.com or www.buildorbust.com.