Talk:Michael Teutul

Removed speculation

Removed speculation as to subject's sexuality. Editors are reminded that an article's talk page is a public part of the article, and needs to comply with the requirements of living biographies. Thanks. Rumiton (talk) 14:17, 30 April 2010 (UTC)

He can't drive well?

Driving into a pond means not being able to drive well? Perhaps he just made a bad decision.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by Eag (talk • contribs) 14:12, June 7, 2006

You mean, a bad decision like accidentally driving a truck into a pond? Kind of like, a bad decision like running your car off the road? Or a bad decision like rear-ending another car? Yep, those sound like some pretty bad "decisions." Or perhaps those are just examples of poor driving skills.

It does sound a little biased though. I reworded it. Love, Wavy G 23:23, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

Copyvio

The following text is a direct snatch from the OCC webpage at [23]. Please don't revert the copyvio tag until this is addressed.

Like his brother, Mikey went to work for Orange County Ironworks at age 12, working on and off until he graduated from high school. From there he went on to community college, but after a series of zeroes he realized it wasn't quite his scene. It was back to Dad's company.

Mikey toiled at Ironworks until he turned 20 and moved to Tempe, Arizona, where he had six different jobs in five months:

   * Bouncer at a bar, which didn't work out because it interfered with his night life.
   * Busboy, which didn't work out because he was "treated like crap".
   * Telemarketer selling cell phones and cell-phone services, which didn't work out because he hates being bothered at home by telemarketers.
   * Valet parking attendant, which didn't work out because they made him run... and shave.
   * Movie-theater guy, which was enjoyable because he didn't really do anything but see free movies.

But overall, Arizona wasn't quite Mikey's pace either, so New York beckoned once his money ran out...

Back at home Mikey did carpentry with a friend for a year before again returning to Orange County Ironworks and working with his brother Daniel. Then, after two years of a job that was "unrewarding, cold and cruel," he went to a tavern one January night and met the man who would advocate his hiring at Orange County Choppers: Rusty, a.k.a. Russell Muth, producer of American Chopper.

Mikey was soon on board at OCC, answering phones, picking up parts, popping bubble wrap and taking out the trash. But within two weeks of his new job he was already on the road attending bike shows with his brother and father, and his stand-in was already out performing him. So while he has two people working under him now, he's not quite sure what his job is anymore. But does that really matter?

CQJ 06:23, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes, direct copyvio. Will delete new addition to article (also, picture seems to be uncopyrighted, fyi). Wavy G 06:35, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

Brains

After watching the show many times, I feel Mikey is a bit soft in the head. Especially when put next to the sharp Paul Jr. And it always seems his father cuts him alot of slack for this reason. But maybe that's just the persona Mikey likes to project on the show. --Jquarry 05:32, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

I strongly disagree -- my impression is that Mikey is very intelligent, but generally not motivated, which is true of many intelligent people. He uses his charm to get by, and puts his mental energy into things that interest him, which don't really include choppers. I get the feeling that he is smarter than Paulie, but more subdued. Paulie is "in your face" -- you can tell Paulie was a cool kid in school -- popular, on the football team, etc. I think Mikey is probably just as smart, but tends to remain in the shadows more. He just wants to avoid stress.

Mikey has an appreciation for music and rambled off info about various Blues artists on the Blues Bike episode. When celebrities show up on American Chopper, he often knows the most about them. Like when he told Jeremy Irons that he loved his work. Maybe Mikey was faking it well, but to me he did not sound like someone just sucking up to an actor. To me, his statement sounded as if he had a true appreciation for a serious actor's work.

He was much more comfortable and more appreciative of European culture than the other Teutuls when they went to Europe, and stated that he felt a responsibility to lead his family in this regard. (Although, at times he did display stereotypical "loud obnoxious American" behavior, as all the Teutuls do.)

Although he remains the goof off of the family, recent episodes seem to reflect that he has accepted his place within OCC, realizing that it is his career and future. Early on, he got fame for all of them through his antics. For awhile, it was painfully obvious that his only purpose was comic relief for the show. My impression from later episodes was that he seemed more stressed and probably depressed. It can be stressful knowing that you're a joke to everyone, even if you're getting paid decently for it. And no doubt his private life has been compromised. Even Vinnie says he can't get away from the fans. But most recently, Mikey has dropped some weight and seems more determined to have a real purpose at OCC beyond serving as comic relief. He is still Mikey, but he is trying to take his job seriously (recently signing some kind of formal work contract that solidified his responsibilities while allowing him to work a bit less). Mikey gets equal billing to the two Pauls now in the show credits and when the Teutuls appear in public. He seems to be making a real effort now to show that he's not just a sidekick. Darkbeagle 02:28, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

Anyone knows if he has mental problems? It's quite bewildering he's not required to do actual work, if it's true he's the owners son, the reality is that so is Paul jnr and he's always kept under strict command to work. At one point Vinnie seemes to indicate that he didn't want Mikey driving a bike, with the impression that it'd be dangerous for him to - which is uncanny for someone his age, that waroks with people who all know how to drive a bike. His father also seemed seriously worried when he drove a chopper alone for the first time, as if he weren't a full grown adult. At the point of Vinnie's comment, not only seemed most of it kept of the air, but so did his brother looked agast at the suggestion he migh be too slow in the brain to drive thus incurring in danger. Mikey himself seemed particularly hurt at the suggestion he should not drive the bike - for his danger and for the bike. 89.155.102.78 22:17, 14 May 2007 (UTC)

According to some sources, including the American Chopper Wikipedia article (although, there it isn't sourced) Michael Teutul is not only very smart, but has two Ph.D's. It says that he got his Masters and two Ph.D's during the time the show was airing. Although this isn't impossible, I find it hard to believe that he was able to pull this off while also participating in the show. It would be nice to find out some real sources for his education. If the section on the American Chopper page is correct it should be included on this page as well. In fact the information should be peared down on the AC page and moved onto this page. Does anyone have a reliable source for his education?Brendan OhUiginn (talk) 08:36, 12 March 2009 (UTC)

Does Mike know how to build a motorcycle? I really dont get his so-called Art. It would help him in life, if he has some real skills, like some metal-fabrication skills. Paul Jr. sometimes needs an attitude adjustment, but Paul Jr. has actual skills. 206.192.35.125 (talk) 19:28, 2 March 2012 (UTC)

I have no sources for this, but a friend and I talked to him for at least 30 minutes at his Wolfgang Gallery about 2-1/2 years ago or so. I didn't find him "soft in the head" at all, merely young and inexperienced at art, but willing to learn, very cordial, and kind to my friend (she had cancer). I have no idea if he can build a motorcycle or not; it didn't come up. Thank you, Wordreader (talk) 02:49, 8 April 2015 (UTC)

Image

I moved the image of Mikey on his scooter from the middle of the page to the infobox as there wasn't one there, feel free to change it back though. Anyone have a picture of Mikey from the front to put in the info box? Paul, Sr. and Jr. have good pictures of themselves from the front but Mikey's picture is from the side. This one would be good, anyone know if it can be used? Davek92 (talk) 04:31, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Rescue American Chopper

Can someone familiar with Mikey please have a look at his section in American Chopper. I suspect that most of the claims are fabricated, especially his academic claims. FFMG (talk) 13:28, 12 March 2009 (UTC)