Controversial Reality Star Jesse James Returns to TV With Reboot of ‘Monster Garage’
Jesse James is returning to television. On Feb. 24, Discovery Channel announced a new season of Monster Garage starring the reality TV star and motorcycle customizer — the first in 14 years. The show will premiere later in 2020.
“It’s crazy to think my relationship with Discovery Channel started exactly 20 years ago. After all this time I’m still excited to step into the Monster Garage,” James said in a statement. “Excited to work hard and push the limits again. Showing people what you can do with teamwork, skills, and a refusal to quit.”
Jesse James has ‘more tricks up his sleeve’
Monster Garage aired on the Discovery Channel from 2002 to 2006.
“Jesse James is one of a kind – his builds are incredible; challenging on all fronts, but more than worth it in the end,” said Nancy Daniels, chief brand officer, Discovery & Factual, said in a statement. “He is bringing back Monster Garage to his Discovery home after 14 years with even more tricks up his sleeve. We are so looking forward to spotlighting his extraordinary talents on Motor Mondays.”
In the years since Monster Garage ended, James has enhanced his skills in blacksmithing and metalworking, according to Discovery. Those talents will be on display in the new season, along with his upgraded garage and cutting-edge technology.
Since his first show ended in 2006, James has starred in two other short-lived reality series, including Jesse James: Outlaw Garage and Jesse James Is a Dead Man.
James was married to Sandra Bullock
While James is best known for his work as a motorcycle customizer and TV personality, he’s also attracted controversy.
From 2005 to 2010, James was married to actress Sandra Bullock. But their relationship ended abruptly after he cheated on her — even though they were in the process of adopting a child together.
While he apologized at the time for his actions, his later attitude seemed less contrite.
“Yeah, I did cheat on my wife, yeah,” James told the Daily Mail in 2017. “I stood up and took accountability for it and apologized. And that’s end of story … In general, both women and men cheat. It’s part of life.”
A controversial photo
Breaking the heart of America’s Sweetheart would have been enough to damn James in the eyes of many. But as further details about his private life emerged, his reputation took another hit.
James cheated on Bullock with tattoo model Michelle McGee. Soon after news of the affair became public, she was seen wearing an SS armband in a Nazi-themed photo shoot. Then, an image of James wearing an SS cap and performing a Nazi salute emerged. His lawyer said the hat had been given to James as a gag gift by his Jewish godfather. His friends denied he was anti-Semitic.
“I could tell by the look on my face it was a joke that was funny then, probably for a minute, but then looking at it in the context of now and in my life, it’s not funny,” James laer told ABC News. “There’s not a racist bone in my body.”
