Read what the cast has said about the job and the show since they quit.
Ice Road Truckers was a reality show that followed big rig drivers as they drove across frozen tundra to deliver goods to cold, faraway places around the world. Sometimes, the work that these dedicated Kings and Queens of the wheel were able to do made for very real moments. People’s blood pressure will go through the roof when they see their favorite reality stars speeding across icy cliffs in cars.
A strange turn of events has brought the reality show back to TV screens after eleven intense seasons. Fans were sad when the show ended in 2017. Oh yeah, IRT is set for a comeback, and we can not wait. Between now and then, read what the cast has said about the show and their jobs since they quit.
Ice Road Truckers was a hit reality TV show that followed truck drivers as they navigated dangerous frozen roads and delivered critical supplies to remote northern settlements. One of the show’s most controversial and unforgettable stars was a trucker named Pork Chop. Though his time on the show was brief, fans are still wondering — what happened to Pork Chop on Ice Road Truckers? Let’s take a closer look at his story
Who Was Pork Chop?
Pork Chop, whose real name is Ronald Mangum, was a truck driver from South Carolina He had 14 years of trucking experience under his belt when he joined the cast of Ice Road Truckers in 2013 for the show’s sixth season
Right from the start, Pork Chop made an impression as a brash, confrontational personality. He often clashed with other drivers and didn’t seem interested in following safety protocols. Still, some viewers were drawn to his “no nonsense” attitude and found him entertaining to watch.
Pork Chop’s Time On The Show
Pork Chop’s tenure on Ice Road Truckers was set on the notorious Dalton Highway in Alaska. This narrow, remote road is covered in sheer ice for miles, making it incredibly treacherous to drive.
It quickly became clear that Pork Chop was struggling to handle the dangerous conditions. His maneuvers behind the wheel raised concerns, and he was involved in some close calls and accidents.
In one memorable incident, Pork Chop lost control of his truck while trying to pass another driver on the narrow Dalton Highway. He spun out and ended up backwards in a ditch, blocking the road. Other drivers had to pull him out, and it was just one of several instances that called Pork Chop’s skills into question.
Why Was Pork Chop Fired?
Near the end of the season, Pork Chop was fired from Ice Road Truckers. The official reason given was concerns about his driving performance.
Throughout his time on the show, Pork Chop was often seen driving erratically and refusing to adhere to safe distances. His skills driving on ice roads were clearly lacking.
Additionally, Pork Chop didn’t seem to take the job seriously when cameras were around. It appeared he was putting on a performance rather than making a real effort to improve.
With other drivers raising issues and his continued reckless driving, producers apparently felt they had no choice but to let him go for the safety of everyone involved.
Pork Chop’s Response To Being Let Go
After his firing, Pork Chop lashed out at the show’s producers. He called them “spineless” and claimed he was actually fired for complaining about safety issues.
“When I speak up about safety conditions of equipment operations while filming a so-called reality show and get fired for it with no union to protect me, it makes me seriously wonder how real this ‘reality’ is,” he posted on social media.
Pork Chop insisted he was made a scapegoat and that producers gave him no context or preparation for driving the perilous ice roads before filming began.
In the end, though, most agreed that Pork Chop’s poor performance and attitude were likely the real reasons he didn’t last the season.
Where Is Pork Chop Now?
After his short-lived reality TV fame, Pork Chop returned to relative obscurity in South Carolina. He went back to working as a truck driver.
By many accounts, he struggled to find steady trucking work after the show. There were reports of him being laid off from jobs. On social media, Pork Chop complained of employment struggles and issues obtaining unemployment benefits.
Still, Pork Chop continues to make public appearances and connections thanks to his Ice Road Truckers fame. He’s made guest visits at truck shows to meet fans. Local South Carolina media have also profiled him to get an update on his life after the limelight.
Despite his rocky TV run, Pork Chop still generated notoriety within the trucking community. Love him or hate him, people won’t soon forget his wild antics on those icy Alaskan roads.
The Legacy Of Pork Chop On The Show
While his time on Ice Road Truckers was short, Pork Chop left a memorable impact. His confrontational attitude, refusals to follow rules, and dangerous driving gave him a reputation as a controversial character.
Some viewers respected Pork Chop’s maverick personality and found him entertaining. Others criticized him as reckless and unprofessional.
But perhaps most importantly, Pork Chop’s failure highlighted just how difficult and dangerous ice road trucking can be. It underscored the skills truly needed to take on those treacherous Alaskan roads and deliver supplies to remote towns.
Pork Chop was a fan favorite for a time, but in the end, his firing reinforced that only the most experienced and safety-minded truckers are cut out for the job. It was a lesson in the harsh realities of ice road trucking.
Other Notable Truckers Who Left The Show
Pork Chop isn’t the only memorable Ice Road Truckers star who ended up leaving the show:
- Tim Zickuhr was fired after being charged with kidnapping and extortion.
- Lisa Kelly chose to leave after several years to pursue other opportunities.
- Darrell Ward tragically died in a small plane crash after his time on the show.
- Alex Debogorski departed the series after 11 seasons as one of its most popular veterans.
Like Pork Chop, some left controversially but they all made their mark through both triumphs and tribulations on the ice roads.
Pork Chop’s fiery attitude and dangerous driving made him unforgettable, albeit short-lived, on Ice Road Truckers. While fans remain divided on the brash trucker, his failure highlighted the white-knuckle risks of life on Alaska’s remote and frozen highways. Love or hate Pork Chop, his wild run on the show won’t soon be forgotten by viewers.
13 Rick Yemm Claimed The Truckers Don’t Take Nearly As Many Risks On The Job As The Show Appears
This show is all about making viewers gasp at the dangers and intensity surrounding the reality stars behind the wheel, but is all of that drama real? Rick Yemm said nope. He has said that a lot of what fans see is made to look much more dangerous than it is. He let viewers know that the drivers dont take risks with their lives and dont make foolish moves.
5 Some Roadways Are Not Welcoming To The Truckers And The Film Crews
Not all roadways are welcoming to the Ice Road Truckers and their big rigs. The roadway used in Season one, known as the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Road, was built and used by mining companies. Those companies ultimately decided that the reality show was distracting to other drivers and gave the film production the boot.
Ice Road Truckers – Porkchop BBQ | History
FAQ
Where is pork chop from on Ice Road Truckers?
Did Darrell from Ice Road Truckers pass away?
What happened on Ice Road Truckers?
A prominent cast member on the popular television show Ice Road Truckers was involved in a fatal head on crash in Washington state. The crash happened at 5:20 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, on SR 101 near Shelton, Washington, according to a report provided to CDLLife by the Washington State Patrol’s Trooper Chelsea A. Hodgson.
What happened to Dewey on Ice Road Truckers?
No charges have been filed. Dewey appeared in seasons 7 through 11 of Ice Road Truckers on the History Channel. A prominent cast member on the popular television show Ice Road Truckers was involved in a fatal head on crash in Washington state.
Is Ice Road Truckers a TV show?
The American TV series Ice Road Truckers wasn’t just a hit in the US but also featured on British network Channel Five and other broadcasting stations around the world. The true heroes in this show were the cast, who were grazing through those chilly trucking journeys with vigor.
Is ‘Ice Road Truckers’ cancelled?
Kelly’s last appearance was on Season 11 in 2017, which as of now is also the show’s last. In spite of the fact no new episodes of “Ice Road Truckers” have aired since 2017, however, History never officially announced the series’ cancellation. In fact, Kelly herself broached the topic of the series’ return in an interview about her profession.