You're on point, but you missed the most crucial angle on ANY of these shows. The reality of it all is that NONE of these show's first priority is the cars. Sure these folks are into cars, restorations, modifications, whatever. The driving force behind them is money. You have a producer who wants to put together a entertainment package that a broadcasting company will buy. You have a broadcasting company that wants to purchase a product that will entice viewers so sponsers will buy blocks of advertising time. It's the same for any show on the brain sucker. Wether it's Desert Car Hacks or the ABC World News. (You didn't think they really cared about keeping you informed, did you?)