,” the establishments featured are in a catastrophic state of disrepair: awash in grime, bugs, rotted food and/or mysterious stains. The surroundings are matched by the decay of their owners, who have no idea how to run a business., a nightlife veteran whose extensive resume includes running legendary L.A. hotspot The Troubadour in the early ’80s and being one of the first inductees of the Nightclub Hall of Fame. In 2011, he started “Bar Rescue,” then on Spike TV.
“I’m the kind of guy who needs to fight for something, not against something,” he says. “So there’s an owner with a wife at home, there are kids at home — sometimes I’m fighting for them. I’ve never met them, but I’m fighting for them. I’m fighting for their home sometimes. There are a couple of employees who really matter. I’m fighting for them. They love that place. You’ve seen that there’s a jerk owner, but the staff really cares. I use the term ‘hang my hat.