Of course, the shows are scripted. Neither show is reality, really.
Watch when another insane customer comes into Hardcore Pawn and goes crazy. They get dragged out, screaming, grabbing the door frames, throwing things. In the back of their T-shirt or dress, you see the clear outline of a mic pack so every word can be recorded for the show. Setup? Just possibly.
One thing that bothers me on Pawn Stars is the way some of the really high priced items like the old cannons and guns have shown up on other reality tv shows. It's like they are advertising them to the public. I heard one of the cannons auctioned for a huge price after being on Pawn Stars and a couple of lesser shows.
Pawn Stars never sells anything on the show, they only buy. They never show anyone standing in line to make their payments. Even though it is so staged, Hardcore Pawn would give the more realistic depiction of a pawn shop.