“Swamp Pawn” Debuts Tonight with Local Flavor

When "Swamp Pawn" debuts tonight on CMT, reality TV makers hope to capitalize on viewers' love of all things South Louisiana. The show's focus is Rick Phillips, owner of Phillips Swamp Seafood in Bayou Pigeon, and its basis is the buying and selling of anything that comes from the bayous of Louisiana-- alligators, turtles, frogs and, of course, crawfish.

Cue Crazy 'Bout Crawfish owner Deana Welch, owner of a Breaux Bridge restaurant known for selling the tasty mud bugs, who has been friends with Phillips for a quarter century. In a recent interview with KATC TV-3, Welch says she buys the tail meat from him and "can't get it bigger anywhere else." She, too, will be featured in Saturday night's episode. Welch says she and her friends and staff are excited about the premiere, so much so that they are having a "watch party" at the restaurant.

"Swamp Pawn" will be broadcast tonight at 9PM CST.