‘American Chopper’ reunion was a big letdown: ‘It didn't help our relationship’
On Tuesday, American Chopper stars Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr. collaborated on their first build together in over a decade. The special episode was labeled “The Last Ride,” and was meant to be a bonding experience for the adversarial father and son. Unfortunately, things didn’t go so well. The Teutuls were commissioned to build a motorcycle for roofing supply company ABC Supply. It was supposed to be a collaboration of Teutul Sr.’s Orange County Choppers and Paul Jr. Design, however from the very outset it was clear that the elder was not interested in his son’s input. “I was hoping we were gonna get creative share in this thing, and it didn't happen,” said Paul Jr. “I was hoping we were gonna work together on it, and it didn't happen...but I'm still getting in a room with my father.” Teutul Jr.’s ideas were repeatedly shot down by his father. That being said, he was still glad he got to spend a little time working next to his father. “Anytime that my father was focused on working on the bike and it was me and him doing it, if it was as simple as putting the front end together or putting a set of forward controls on, those were the moments that I walked away feeling like a million bucks about,” said Teutul Jr. “It was the little things throughout the process of the build that meant the most to me.” While Tuetul Jr. was happy with the little bit of attention he received, fans were not. Many took to Twitter to vent their frustrations. As for Teutul Sr., he didn’t think the reunion was at all worth it. “I really didn't want to do the build, because I was afraid, again, that it was gonna affect our relationship,” he said. “And I do believe, you know, it didn't help our relationship.”
Video Transcript
[OPENING SOUND EFFECTS]
PAUL TUTTLE: I really didn't want to do the build because I was afraid, again, that it was going to affect our relationship. And I do believe it didn't help our relationship.
NARRATOR: "American Chopper" stars Paul Tuttle, Senior, and his son, Paul, Junior, team up for the first time in over a decade Tuesday to build a motorcycle together. But while the build was supposed to be a bonding moment, it ended up being more like the not so good old days when they worked together at Orange County Choppers.
PAUL TUTTLE: Everything that we do, you want to change. Because that's your style.
PAUL TUTTLE JR: What did I change?
PAUL TUTTLE: Just now. You want to change the whole--
PAUL TUTTLE JR: What is everything? We're doing your front end, your frame, you're twisted down tube, your rear section, your motor, your trans.
PAUL TUTTLE: And you're doing the bike, OK?
PAUL TUTTLE JR: This is the first suggestion--
NARRATOR: Fans thought the reunion was a disaster, with one fan tweeting, "Came in with high hopes of an incredible build, and ended up with a standard OCC production bike. What a letdown." While another person tweeted, "Aw, I'm sad. This sucks. I feel so bad for Paul Junior. He wants to build with his dad, and Paul Senior just doesn't get it. Shaking my head."
Even though most of the chopper was designed and built by Paul Senior's employees, the little bit of time Paul Junior got to spend with his dad made all the frustration worth it.
PAUL TUTTLE JR: Any time that my father was focused on working on the bike, and it was me and him doing it, if it was as simple as putting a front end together, or putting a set of forward controls on, those were the moments that I walked away feeling like a million bucks about. It was the little things throughout the process of the build that meant the most to me.
[CLOSING SOUND EFFECTS]
