When MTV announced the end of “Rob & Big” after only three seasons, I was truly sad to see it go. I’m not a particularly big fan of reality shows, but the relationship between skateboarding mogul Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard, Big Black, made for some great TV. Now that Rob is on his own, you’d think his new series wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining, but it’s actually just as good. Thanks to a great supporting cast of characters (like his cousin/assistant Drama, manager Jeremy, and gangster rap receptionist Chanel, to name a few) and the same kid-like enthusiasm that Rob seems to live and die by, “Fantasy Factory” is 100% pure fun.
The title of the show refers to Rob’s awesome business HQ, an all-concrete indoor skate plaza and office complex (read: pimped-out warehouse) where he spends most of his days. From helping fellow pro skater Danny Way break the land speed record to volunteering himself for a controlled shark attack, there’s nothing that Rob Dyrdek won’t do. Still, while he may act like a big kid, he’s also a very smart businessman who, over the course of the season, invests in a restaurant, launches a successful toy line, and even initiates a new urban skate program with the help of the city’s parks and recreation department and sponsorship from Carl’s Jr. The viral videos he creates in conjunction with the skate park are some of the season’s best moments, not to mention all of the cool skateboarding sequences and crazy basketball shots peppered throughout each episode. You can call it a guilty pleasure if you like, but “Fantasy Factory” is every bit as enjoyable as the shows you don’t feel guilty about watching.
