A Little More Reality in "American Chopper"

OFF THE WIRE
The end of the year has brought some interesting dimensions to the Orange County Choppers Crew and the show that made them famous "American Chopper". From Jr. versus Sr. to Paul Jr. Designs getting their hands slapped for allegedly swiping another builder's bike image for their t-shirt design, to Mikey's rehab stint, and now possible foreclosure and an art gallery opening. If you're extremely confused after all this, you're not alone.


Toward the end of November, the lender that financed Orange County Choppers' new headquarters in the Town of Newburgh has filed a foreclosure action against the builder of custom motorcycles, alleging that it missed its July mortgage payments. According to Choppers' lawyer Richard Mahon, the Choppers stopped making mortgage payments in order to put pressure on the lender to modify the terms of the loans. The Orange County Industrial Development Agency is also named as a defendant in the action, since it technically owns the property under a payment-in-lieu-of taxes arrangement with Orange County Choppers. The IDA is not liable for the back mortgage payments because a clause in the lease-back arrangement indemnifies it against default by the Choppers, said IDA attorney Philip Crotty. Stay tuned....

Meanwhile, lovable and wacky Mikey now has his own art gallery and studio space. The Wolf Gang Gallery held a private opening Sunday, November 21st on Railroad Avenue in Montgomery. The event was filmed for "American Chopper," with Paul Teutul Jr. and the staff of his new shop attending the opening. A public grand opening will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 11. The paintings in the gallery have a higher price tag and different composition than those previously seen on "American Chopper". The space is also a studio and retail store including posters, postcards, T-shirts and mouse pads.

This evening, December 6th, the show's latest season, dubbed "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior," will shift to Discovery with new episodes starting next at 9 p.m. "American Chopper" actually first returned to Discovery Monday, Nov. 29, with the special "American Chopper: A Family Divided." So, if you're looking to continue viewing the show that started it all in its latest incarnation, skip TLC and head to Discovery. Regardless if it's the reality show or the Teutels in real life, there's rarely a dull moment.