A
television programme which applies the conventions of
home decorating programmes to cars. A damaged late model ( though sometimes older) car is rebuilt and fitted with everything from spoliers and bodykits to almost camp touches that are supposed to reflect the owner'
s personality. These can, more often than not, be seen as tacky, vulgar, tasteless and even unsafe. These touches include panelling over rear windscreens, pick up beds filled with monitors or in car chandeliers, for example.
Criticisms of the show are that it's more style than substance in both its presentation, content and the finished vehicle being campily over the
top, having its practicality diminished by reduced luggage space in the trunk. Also, very little (if any) practical instruction is given on how to do something
like lower your car's suspension safely or make your own grille insert. Instead it focuses on
fancy post-production techniques, shots of the finished car at outrageous camera angles and the owner's reaction to it.
The show has also been criticised for glorifying
sexism by implicitly glamourising the sexual exploitation of women and gay men by the use of the word "pimp", making it socially acceptable by changing the meaning to something else. To-wit: rebuilding a car. By extension, it is argued that it perpetuates the
stereotype that connects African-
Americans with criminality and violence.
