Review: 'Biker Battleground Phoenix'

There are certain types of reality shows that have just worn out their welcome with me. Yes, I understand that these shows need to be exciting for the viewers and yes, I realize that sometimes that means producers have to be "creative" with the editing and the storylines.  I'm willing to accept a fair amount of manipulation in a show, but there are some that just seem to be so coldly assembled from parts that they're the television equivalent of a boy band. The performers are more a creation of the producer than of nature.

One of the shows that falls into this category is the new History series "Biker Battleground Phoenix." The premise of the show is pretty simple. Phoenix is a hotbed for custom motorcycle shops, ranging from long-time master builder Paul Yaffe to newer operations that are run out of someone's garage. As you might imagine, there is bad blood between these competitive people and the first episode of the show lays out the history and sets up a winner-takes-all build between the five rivals shown in the show.

I have no idea how much of this rivalry is real, which in itself is a sad reflection of state of manipulation in the show. The builders seem talented and in another show I would interested in seeing more. But so many scenes seem staged and/or rehearsed that it's difficult to get emotionally invested in the people or the upcoming build-off.

Sure, the scenes in which a builder talks about his raw "street" attitude while he's in the middle of building a $70,000 bike is pretty funny. But like most of the other entertaining elements of the show, the best things seem to happen despite the producers instead of because of them.

Maybe this show will find an audience. Maybe some people won't be put off by the heavy-handed attempts to heighten the level of anger between the participants. As for me, I'm one and done with "Biker Battleground Phoenix." It's not the worst show on television, but it's bad enough for me to walk away from without any regrets.

"Biker Battleground Phoenix" airs on the History Channel,  Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m. ET.