Ice Road Truckers: Producer Thom Beers comments on missing driver Lisa Kelly

Mechele R. Dillard's picture

There still is no 100% confirmation on the issue, but Thom Beers' statement did shed more light on the no-Lisa-Kelly situation.

Fans of History Channel’s popular reality television series, Ice Road Truckers, have been missing their favorite trucker this season—and are making no bones about it.

Starting before the first episodes of this season began to hit the airwaves, Huliq readers have been adamant in telling the History Channel that they want driver Lisa Kelly back on IRT:

  • Blues Man: History Channel needs to let us know what's up with Lisa. Doesn't look like she is on this season ....why?
  • Oldskier: I'm gone without Lisa as are most previous fans. What in the world were the producers thinking!!!!
  • Jimbo: No interest in the show. Get her back or youre gonna lose lots of viewers.
  • Teri: Only watched IRT cause of Lisa Kelly. As someone said before me, the show is boring with only men but Lisa put a nice spin on a male cast. Hope she returns to IRT or her own spin-off would be great also. Sorry History channel will NOT be watching now!!!
  • Anonymous: We miss Lisa and I hope the producers are paying her a higher amount of money when she comes back.

So far, the History Channel has not made an official statement, letting fans know just what is going on with the missing Lisa Kelly. However, a recent statement in the press may have shed at least a sliver of light on the situation.

Writer Kate O’Hare recently had the opportunity to speak with producer Thom Beers of Original Productions, the company that produces Ice Road Truckers. “While I had Beers' ear,” O’Hare wrote, “I asked him a question that many blog commenters have been asking since the premiere of the new season of another of his shows, History's Ice Road Truckers—'Where is Lisa Kelly?’”

Although Beers’ answer to O’Hare still left some mystery to the situation, it was better than what has been put out there thus far:

"We offered her a contract to return and she chose not to. That's it. We invited her back. Love to have her. She's taking a year off, realizing that she might not be able to get another show. But she's an interesting woman. We liked her.”

Whether or not her reason not to accept the contract offered to her was connected to the amount of money offered was not addressed. But, a recent comment made by fellow IRT trucker Rick Yemm in an exclusive Huliq interview may also touch on what happened:

On former IRT star Lisa Kelly v. production:

“I can understand why Lisa wants to make a stand,” Yemm says of his former cast-mate, who fans have been vocal about missing this season. “But the way that production is, well, at the end, production did the same thing. They threw their finger up at her and said, ‘Whatever.’”

Again, whether or not it was all about money has not been confirmed by History Channel, Original Productions or Lisa Kelly herself. But, Beers’ statement did seem to leave the door open for Kelly to return on a future season of Ice Road Truckers.

"The thing what we liked about her more than anyone else,” Beers also told O’Hare, “she's the one person of them all that showed real fear. I wish her luck, and I wish she was back."

And, so do her fans.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Tonight's season finale of IRT sees a friendship teetering on the edge

Want to read more about Ice Road Truckers? Search "Ice Road Truckers" right here on Huliq!

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
Its a great season. There's more driving and less whining. I was disgusted last season because it was turning into dirt road truckers or highway truckers and whine whine whine. It's back to more of the old style now. Ice Road Truckers.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on
It's awesome having Jack Jessee back. I hope Lisa is enjoying her time away from the cameras. Personally if my company would allow me to make additional cash to be filmed doing what I already get paid for I would take the extra cash. No reason I can see to argue with extra money for doing precisely the same work.

Submitted by Karma (not verified) on
I miss Lisa but am just fine without her on this season. I LOVE that Jack is back. I missed him previously. I am not a fan of Porkchop. Loved Jack's reaction when he met Austin. I am wondering if we'll see more of Alex or if he's really just an extra as it seems he's been relegated to this season.

Submitted by Instant (not verified) on
The thing Lisa had that no-one else had now (except maybe Alex) is humility. Jack used to have humility in the beginning and let his actions speak for him. Now its as if the producers told him to be an arrogant egotist like the rest of the male drivers. These rookies are a joke, Porkchop (go home already, take a hint), Austin, (go back to high school), Darrel (who has talent, but a super inflated opinion of himself). The three of them can't carry Lisa's jockstrap.

Submitted by Country Pumpkin... (not verified) on
As a former long-haul, solo-lady driver (1986-2000), I really enjoyed watching Lisa doing what she loves. Yes, we lady driver's had/have to prove ourselves in a man's world, but even more so, we're testing ourselves first! Lisa is a good example of the quality of the many drivers, both male and female who keep our country moving, and for myself, the IRT just won't be the same without her. I wish her well, and "Happy Trails".....Country Pumpkin PS...do they still use "Handles" out there? after long-haul, I went to a local driving job in NW, and never heards "Handles" as much.... retired in 2005.

Hmmmm ... interesting question ... I know that trainer Tony wasn't impressed with Porkchop's "trucker slang," or whatever one would call it ... LOL ... but it would be interesting to know if, out in the real world of trucking, people use "handles" these days ... anyone know? Thanks, Country Pumpkin, for the question!

Submitted by Karma (not verified) on
Oh man I was cracking up hard when Porkchop went into that and then got reamed because those Alaskan truckers didnt know what he was saying. I grew up with a long haul trucker for a stepdad and even my mom drove after I left. My entire family had handles...my dad was Insane Redneck, my mom is Wacky, my Grandma was Big Mama, my grandpa was Papa Smurf, and I was lil butt :P

I thought that was hilarious w/ Tony, too ... LOL ... back in the 70s, when CB radioing was all the rage, my grandfather was all into it ... he wasn't a trucker (he worked in the copper mines in TN), but he loved his CB ... his handle was Lightfinger ....

Submitted by Country Pumpkin... (not verified) on
thanks for your replies, Mechele and Karma...the fun with CB's (I got my first CB in '77) was EVERYONE could connect in a time before Cell phones, email, and all the social media we have today. I'm sure my early experiences talking w/truckers before I became one, had an influence on my decision that was to become one of the best choices I'd made in my life! (except, of course, there were my own IRT moments). While I do enjoy the show, I haven't seen Every episode, and don't recall the one w/ Porchop you both mentioned. I didn't become a more steady viewer of IRT til Lisa Kelly came on board, so I really hope we have Not seen the last of her. :D

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