The Takeover

Operation Repo on OLN

http://www.oln.ca/details.php?id=93

Back to Back episodes weekdays @ 9 pm ET

I am currently writing this post as I sit back and watch an elderly black dude pop Matt (white tank on the far right) one in the face. He instantly lands on the ground, and the owner of the car they are repo-ing, a slick-haired charmer who looks like he's been transported from the 1960's tries to persuade them not to press chargers. They eventually make it off with the car, and the camera cuts to a scene that'll be shown after a few commercials. Apparently Sonia (big chick 2nd from the right) is gonna get knocked down, while her brother (and owner) Lou- dude grinnin' with the thumbs up- is quick to spring into action by pepper-spraying the repossessed car's owner. 

Not that the specifics of OLN's Operation Reporeally mattered... I'm not that big a "reality"-tv fan, and have felt little passion for any big-brother type tv show since I discovered Survivors were actually fed, bathed and groomed between takes. But something about this show is different. In fact, a huge part of its appeal lies in it's "prank-caught-on-camera" type of style. We love laughing at other's misfortunes, especially when their cackle-worthy misactions are caught candidly on tape.

Only, these sharades are not pranks at all. On the contrary- Operation Repo instead draws its entertaining factors from the very real scenario's that are captured. Having a car (or boat, or luxury truck for that matter) isn't really that hilarious of an idea on its own. However, Operation Repo somehow always finds such a situation gut-busting. And THAT, my friends, is a judgment I give sparingly. But whether they're getting shot at by paintball guns, getting tasered, getting bowling balls thrown at them, or being surrounded by a Mexican family from downtown LA, the cast stops at nothing to leave the scene with their vehicle.

I find it as equally amusing that there actually exist people from all walks of life who refuse to pay the bills on their precious gas-guzzlers. I've seen them repossess cars valued far beyond anyone I know's price point, from driveways of mansions in swanky neighbourhoods. I've seen them drive off with expensive cars from known L.A hoods, much to the dismay of the drug-dealer whose losing it. I've seen females throw fits, males throw punches, and dudes throw themselves out of wheelchairs. 

 And at the end of each episode, I find myself chuckling at the innate traits most all humans possess. It's like they go through a range of emotions: 

1) disbelief

Question whether the repossessor's have the right "victim".

Quickly think of all the logical ways to escape from this with your car intact

2) denial

Once positively identified as the right car, the "victim" attempts to quickly confirm that they indeed have paid.

This quickly results in the realization that the time for BS has already passed.

3)anger

This is the fun part. This is when the true idiot emerges out of the best of us- violence may ensue, and often does in the strangest ways. Case in point: the over 400 pound dude mounting the car and attacking camera men with a golf club.

4)desperation

At this point, it is clear that these repo dudes AINT goin out without a fight. They've also got pepper-spray on their side, and the police are only a phone call away. What's left to do but over-dramatize the situation?

5defeat

At this point, failure in saving your car is imminent. In a last plea for self-dignity, the "victim" will almost always mutter an insult as they throw the key to the ground.

Only, none of these temper-tantrum tactics will work. As Froy put it, "As long as we get the keys, I don't care if you throw it at me. In the end we won."