AMC’s ‘Small Town Security’ out of Ringgold debuts July 15
I’m off until July 21. If you have breaking TV/radio news, contact Jennifer Brett of Buzz at jbrett@ajc.com. Here’s something I wrote before I left:
The JJK crew in Ringgold, GA get the spotlight on a new AMC show "Small Town Security." CREDIT: AMC
For many years, Ringgold’s Joan Koplan wanted to be a celebrity. You know, just famous.
Her husband Irwin humored her but never thought it could possibly happen given she ran a personal security firm.
But then a specific genre of reality TV came along, focused on slice-of-life segments from parts of the country rarely seen in scripted TV, often in small towns such as “Pawn Stars,” “Cajun Pawn Stars.” “American Hoggers,” and “Shark Wranglers.”
AMC, home to “Mad Men” and “The Walking Dead,” is jumping into the fray, giving Joan a chance to show off her quirky family business, JJK Security, in a reality show called “Small Town Security,” which debuts Sunday for the first of eight episodes after the fifth season debut of “Breaking Bad.”
At age 61, Joan curses like a sailor and is known as The Chief at her office, which she opened in 1984. She provides security guards for corporations and special events, as well as bodyguard services for prominent folks. She’s licensed in Georgia and Tennessee. She tried to do business in Atlanta but said it was too cutthroat.
Her connection to Hollywoood was an old friend who got a job at the William Morris Agency. She taped a demo reel about her business and he helped her shopp it around. A production company bit, then sold it to AMC over another unnamed network. But the wheels turned slowly. It took two years to make it to air. “I went through periods where I said, ‘This is getting to be a nightmare,’ ” Joan says. “It was making me sick, the waiting.”
She’s confident her interplay with her husband and employees will tickle viewers. “It’s going to be a hit,” she says. “I just have a gut feeling. We get along beautifully together. But then, of course, there’s fighting. But we all kiss and make up. It’s just weird the things that go on.”
“I hope to have a successful show and my business won’t be hurt by it,” she adds.
Lt. Dennis Kroft, operations manager who has worked with JJK for 12 years, says people have mentioned to them that they’d make a great reality show. He wasn’t convinced until he saw the demo reel. “We’re all very different people,” he said, “but we work as a unit.”
Christina Stevens, the 29-year-old secretary who has known Joan for 13 years, says she tries to keep the peace. “I like being in the limelight with her,” she says. “I like that they call it a docudrama. Nothing is set up. The only time something is re-filmed is if the camera messes up or runs out of tape. It’s 100% authentic. We like to play around a lot but when there’s work, we get serious.”
Brian Taylor, a private investigator, admits many of his cases don’t show up on camera because those types of clients don’t like the publicity. “We respect our clients’ confidentiality,” he said.
On TV
“Small Town Security”
Debuts Sunday at 11:04 p.m. on AMC after “Breaking Bad”
Recent stories on other reality shows out of Georgia: “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” debuts big.
“Auction Kings” renewed for a third season.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
38 comments Add your comment
helo5747
July 13th, 2012
6:29 am
Great! Another reality show. Hicks trying to act like hicks when they don’t need to act like hicks because they are already natural hicks. Now that’s entertainment!
I swear, if it weren’t for History Channel and sports I would cancel my satellite service and shoot my TV.
Roekest
July 13th, 2012
8:36 am
As if the South doesn’t have a bad enough rep. Everyone already thinks our entire population is nothing but a bunch of pig-farmers. Thanks John Wilkes Booth for screwing up Lincoln’s Reconstruction plans!
Willydoit?
July 13th, 2012
8:47 am
Hey y’all…watch this!!! I’m on the TeeVee!!
Yay….another reality show!
James
July 13th, 2012
9:56 am
Pretty soon everyone is going to have a camera strapped to them and we can all just tune into each other’s channel for real reality TV. Watch me do spreadsheets and powerpoint presentations all day…tune in!!!
Chuck
July 13th, 2012
10:04 am
@ helo2414: ‘Great! Another reality show. Hicks trying to act like hicks when they don’t need to act like hicks because they are already natural hicks. Now that’s entertainment! I swear, if it weren’t for History Channel and sports I would cancel my satellite service and shoot my TV.’
Thanks for my first laugh of the day, though you’d be hard pressed to find anything on [The] History [Channel] that deals remotely with anything true and historic. It’s all reality TV, aliens, and farfetched conspiracies.
I honestly thought AMC was too good to stoop to reality televison. Hopefully they don’t go History or MTV’s route so that in two years they’ll stop showing movies.
Codi
July 13th, 2012
10:57 am
I am from this town, and this embarrasses me. Lauren Alaina, now that was success with talent. Not some losers who are going to get one season, some divorces, and forever lose family gatherings over money and fame.
Rhett Butler
July 13th, 2012
11:28 am
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Frank Castle
July 13th, 2012
11:56 am
Does AMC not have the guts to film a show like this involving security in, say, a “small” Southwest Atlanta community?
tony
July 13th, 2012
12:20 pm
Thank God for Me-TV where I can watch NOTHING but classic TV shows 24-hours a day.
helen
July 13th, 2012
12:30 pm
I cant wait I love these small town shows about real peeps much better than the stupid kardashians. Go to it small town security
Chuckie D
July 13th, 2012
12:31 pm
Not “scripted”? Yeah, right! It’s all about the $$$ and the cheap cost of production versus a real series. How many times will we hear, “I seen him coming” ?
WTH?
July 13th, 2012
12:31 pm
Anyone who watches this has lost their mind……
Ol' Timer
July 13th, 2012
12:34 pm
The History Channel sold out to ratings, losing me in the process. This looks like a program that will transform Ringgold into a tourist attraction. . . .”Damn, hold my beer and watch this!”
Southside Steve
July 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
Nice hat, Ho.
SM
July 13th, 2012
1:15 pm
After all the devastation that happened there, THIS is what we’ll see?!?!?! The dumbing down of America takes another step forward… or back. What a disgrace…
Bill
July 13th, 2012
1:19 pm
What a crock of make-believe crap! Anyone that believes that a small town like Ringgold could support a bodyguard operation is an idiot. This is real people telling you a 95% fairytale with MAJOR embellishments.
“The Chief” is right about one thing, Atlanta is too cutthroat, meaning that it is difficult to make a real buck here in that industry and if a town with the size and money of Atlanta will not support it, how is anyone to believe that sleepy little Ringold could? And this is with real pros doing it, like my 6″04 220 LBs self with 27 years of law enforcement, as opposed to overweight housewives that know how to cuss.
Sure, they will have a few PI cases like adultery and such, but remember Georgia is a “on fault” state when it comes to adultery, so there is not a huge demand there either.
So, all in all, as real as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Thogwummpy
July 13th, 2012
1:21 pm
Wow…another reason for me to be pissed off at Dish for dropping AMC—can’t see these Georgia folks on TV.
Sluggo
July 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
@helo5747
Loved it! Thank you for your post. Still snickering under my breath.
Bill
July 13th, 2012
1:42 pm
BTW, there is no State Board of Private Detectives and Security license holders by the name of Brian Taylor or Dennis Kroft that work for JJK SECURITY & INVESTIGATIONS, INC in Georgia as PI’s or even Security Guards.
Shadrach
July 13th, 2012
2:08 pm
#Bill: (1) Ringgold is 5 miles from Chattanooga, which isn’t a bustling metropolis, but is large enough to support the business. Along with Dalton, The entire area’s population is over one million. (2) Brian Taylor shows up on the Secretary of State’s web page for being a licensed PI AND Security Guard. (3) Dennis Kroft is listed as “operations manager” in the article, requiring no license.
Look, this show will probably be stupid and unwatchable, but making stuff up and dismissing a fellow city in Georgia while judging people you don’t know is far more ignorant and intolerable than anything the show may or may not offer.
St Simons - we're on Island time
July 13th, 2012
2:18 pm
hahaha hot dam, that church in the picture behind them –
that’s where i got married (to mrsstsimons) a looong time ago
NotYou
July 13th, 2012
2:22 pm
Shadrach handed it to you.
clax
July 13th, 2012
2:22 pm
@helo5747 …Hey Hoss…..You don’t watch any “reality shows” and only watch the History Channel? What Category of Television do you think “Pawn Stars” “Ice Road Truckers” “Top Gear” “Swamp People” “Top Shot” “American Pickers” “Ax Men” ” Ice Road Truckers : Extreme Trucking” and “Cross Country Cookout” …….Just to Name a FEW “History Channel” Series fall into? And remind me exactly how Larry The Cable Guy Fit into American History since he hosts his own show on History Channel? Heck, if you were to have nothing but an ALL REALITY CHANNEL that aired nothing but Reality Shows…You know what they would call it? That’s right….The History Channel!!!! Good Post Helo!!!
Cletus the slack jawed yokel
July 13th, 2012
2:31 pm
Can’t wait till the missus climbs on top of the trailer to adjust the dish so’s we kin watch this. Bigfoot actually sed to me that Lizard Lick Towin was fake and that it was staged..
.Proud day to be an AMC program executive.
Sick of it all
July 13th, 2012
2:58 pm
YeHaawww….and Lord amighty! When is we’uns gwan cee hawg wrastlin?
greg
July 13th, 2012
4:35 pm
I guess you should stick to that dumb-ass Snookie…pathetic…
Bill
July 13th, 2012
8:13 pm
LoL at Sadrach! You must be a shill for the show; you have no idea what you are babbling about! The only Brian Keith Taylor listed is an “In-House Armed Security” guard for Georgia Power. That Brain Taylor works solely for GA Power IN-HOUSE. In other words he is not allowed to legally do contract work and he is not a PI.
https://secure.sos.state.ga.us/myverification/Details.aspx?agency_id=1&license_id=508146&
So, IF he is the same Brain Taylor, by the records he looks to have legal issues. Now the “Brain Taylor” of the show could be a retired or active LEO, or an out of state licensee that has been exempted temporarily for GA… I guess that we will see!
The fact that “Lt.Dennis Kroft, operations manager” has that LT in front of his name implies that he is also a member of the guards/PIs. If he works in the field, or is armed in a professional protective capacity, or does investigations, he must be licensed or fit the exemptions described foe Taylor above.
As to the city Ringgold, I am sure that it is a fine city and never said different. The fact that it is such a nice little city is exactly why this far-fetched. I said that they do not have the type of environment or economy that would support a Personal Security (bodyguard) service as the write-up suggests. They will have some PI cases and some armed guard work, but so far the only licensees that are show by the SoS are the elderly husband and wife. I also see were Joan is licensed in Tennessee as well as Georgia, so we may see some “action” in TN.
Do everyone a favor; never contradict me again, unless you have more to offer then this. As a LEO and Training Officer of over 20 years for the State Board of PI & Security, I know what I am talking about.
Bill
July 14th, 2012
1:21 am
Yep, “Lt” Dennis Croft does have the look of a security guard here alright.
http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/small-town-security-season-1-cast-photos/dennis.php
Now where is his professional license…
Truthpaste
July 14th, 2012
7:53 pm
AMC, once you step into the festering pool of “reality”, there is no going back. You’ll never get that stink off you. Onto better things; anyone watch the teaser trailer of “The Walking Dead”? Can’t wait till October.
David
July 15th, 2012
5:45 pm
@Bill. I am friends with the Brian Taylor that is on this show. Brian is his middle name, but when you do a search you have to go by first name. That is why you can’t find it. It cracks me up to think that you are so quick to jump to conclusions and slam Shadrach for calling you out. If you really are a LEO, you must not be worth a crap. Can’t find a persons name, give up, and spread gossip like you know what you are talking about. lol It’s kind of sad. lol
jakers
July 15th, 2012
6:04 pm
@Bill…
dude…
you spent the time to look up someone on a TV show that you apparently aren’t going to like…
Awesome!
cheryl
July 16th, 2012
12:46 am
All I can say is that the ENTIRE cast of Small Town Security is real…they are the most humorous,exciting, fabulous people…there is not a show that even compares to this show…this will be a hit…Thanks AMC…you know how to pick the good ones…such as breaking bad…mad men…& now Small Town Security!
Pete E. Tong
July 16th, 2012
9:17 am
Bill just got owned hardcore by Brian’s friend, David. 27 years experience and he, ver batim, copied and pasted the name in the article. No foresight, huh? Hahaha, what a tool.
Pete E. Tong
July 16th, 2012
9:21 am
You guys should check out H2 (History 2) if your cable provider has it. It’s like the History Channel 5 years ago, pre-reality series.
maureen r
July 16th, 2012
9:58 am
This garbage is an insult to the people and town of Ringgold GA.
The owner Joan made a few low budget Hollywood movies many years ago. Her so called elite team is definitely not. Is AMC that desperate airing this crap. I moved here 11 years ago from New York the people here are hard working decent people which is more than I will say about the cast in the show
maureen r
July 16th, 2012
10:02 am
Also Dennis Croft was born a woman and its name was Dee
Christa Stephens from Small Town Security candid photos, singing Starcasm.net
July 16th, 2012
10:23 am
[...] told the Atlanta Journal Constitutional: “I like being in the limelight with her. I like that they call it a docudrama. Nothing is set [...]
Bill
July 20th, 2012
3:28 am
Robert Brian Taylor IS a licensed Contract PI per SoS.
There is no way to get this man’s whole and correct name by looking at a photo, and only a moron like Pete Tong or “David” would believe otherwise. It was not worth my time to drive to Ringgold to launch an investigation to find out. Also notice what I said, “So, IF he is the same Brain Taylor, by the records he looks to have legal issues.” What part of that large capitalized IF could you not understand?
Plus there is still the question of “Lt.Dennis Kroft, Operations Manager.” There are 0 (ZERO) Krofts in Georgia licensed as Security Guards or Private Investigators and if you click on the link in my post above this man is very definitely posing as a armed security guard. You turkey’s could not “own” a free ice cream cone. LoL!