The Teutul family is saying goodbye to reality TV. "American Chopper" has been canceled by Discovery after it decade-long run.
“After 10 years and 233 episodes of incredible, riveting reality television, American Chopper will be ending its run,” Eileen O’Neill, group president, Discovery and TLC Networks told EW. “This series was one of the very first family-based reality programs on television. Special thanks to Pilgrim Studios for over a decade of great producing. The Teutuls have given us really innovative bike builds and real drama since 2002. We wish both Orange County Choppers and Paul Junior Designs the best.”
The show was primarily based in the Teutul family's custom motorcycle-building shop -- Orange County Choppers -- in Newburgh, New York, and thrived on the tension between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. In "American Chopper's" later years, the inter-generational rivalry turned into a feud that nearly ripped the family apart.
Paul Sr. fired Paul Jr. from the shop in 2008, an incident that resulted in a legal battle and got the show temporarily canceled. It was brought back by Discovery's sister network TLC in 2010 as "American Chopper: Senior Vs. Junior," with OCC squaring off against Paul Jr.'s new business Paul Jr. Designs.
Eventually, Paul Sr. and Jr. reconciled, and the show reverted back to its original title. Much of the show's final season, which is currently in progress on TLC, has focused on the process of repairing their relationship.
The feud took a toll on Paul Jr.'s younger brother Mikey Teutul, who debated stepping away from the show for the sake of his family. "My relationship with my father won't get any better unless it's sort of off-the radar, off the television show, and not really highlighted," he said.
"American Chopper" will conclude with a live bike-building special in which the Tuetuls will compete against "Outlaw Garage" star Jesse James and others. The contest will air December 10 and December 11 at 9 p.m. ET on Discovery.
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