Desperation Nation

So NoTORIous Tori Spelling skewers herself for a laugh, while the guys in King of Cars dunk themselves for a sale

Comments (0) By Robert Abele Wednesday, Apr 5 2006
...continued from page 1

But based on the first two shows, the Glengarry Glen Ross–like desperation to close deals can’t be hidden, nor the sense of chipped-away fortitude in buyers who gradually back away from their self-made promises.

“We don’t stick to our guns very well,” says the sheepishly smiling dad who claimed he wouldn’t go above $300 a month for the souped-up family car, then signed at over $400 a month, paying more down than he wanted to, also. The last time I bought a car, the experience was singularly unpleasant — each exasperated declaration, in response to my negotiating stubbornness, that the sales staff only cared about my needs felt especially odious — and so it may be impossible to watch King of Cars as entertainment without seeing the customers as victims in the clutches of smiling cutthroats. The linebacker-size “Chop” is a likeable-enough figure, and he seems to know what will motivate the teams, like a one-day sales contest between two floor managers to determine who won’t have to wear a showgirl outfit for the infomerical they’re shooting that night. But even this good-natured competition turns sour when a lagging Tony calls his father down to the dealership for a hard sell, then turns to one of his sales team member’s relatives. Anything for a sale, anything not to wear a dress: not masculinity’s finest hour.

InvenTORI: Tori Spelling as herself and Jeanetta Arnette as manager ''Ruthie Rose.''
InvenTORI: Tori Spelling as herself and Jeanetta Arnette as manager ''Ruthie Rose.''
Would you...? Used car salesman ''Chilly Willy'' Tooros and ''Chip,'' a.k.a. the ''King of Cars.''
Would you...? Used car salesman ''Chilly Willy'' Tooros and ''Chip,'' a.k.a. the ''King of Cars.''

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So NoTORIous | VH1 | Sundays, 10 p.m.

KING OF CARS | A&E | Tuesdays, 10 p.m.

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