THE SHOW "American Restoration" 
 WHEN | WHERE&nbsp;Tuesday night at 10 on History 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Say, who is that dude wandering through Rick Dale's "boneyard" -- the guts of his Las Vegas restoration center, where interesting old things come to die and be restored? He looks familiar. He stops at a piano, plays, moves along. Ah yes, that would be <a href="/topics//Billy_Joel">Billy Joel</a>, star of Monday's new-season opener. He wants Dale to restore a 1967 BSA Royal Star, nearly the same kind of motorcycle young Billy raised hell on as a kid growing up on <a href="/topics//Long_Island,_NY">Long Island</a>. 
 A "BSA Royal Star 850 was my first bike and this is about as close as I could find to the original one," he says, taking the top off a shipment box that contains a rusted skeleton and a few loose parts. He's in town for a gig and wonders if Rick could put this "basket case" back together. Dale thinks he can, and does, with the help of "Ace" and "Caveman." 
 MY SAY We know Joel is a man of many talents, though this show reveals a couple of lesser-known ones: He knows his bikes, and he knows how to ham it up for reality shows, or at least one expressly designed for gearheads. A quip here, a joke there, a one-liner over there, and before you know it, he's hijacked the whole hour, even if he's on camera only for about 15 minutes. And watching him wander the Dale boneyard, there's also a glimpse of a career that might have been: Joel loves junk, or at least old things that evoke a lost past. A romantic at heart and by trade, Joel's a natural for "American Restoration." Moreover, he's no idle hobbyist, either, but obviously knows as much as an expert, and tonight's show also offers a nice plug for his <a href="/topics//Oyster_Bay,_NY">Oyster Bay</a>-based 20th Century Cycles, which "reverse restores" cycles, by taking new bikes and morphing them into classic designs. Dale was impressed, and you likely will be, too. 
 BOTTOM LINE The Piano Man is really a Motorcycle Man. Fun hour. 
 GRADE B+

THE SHOW "American Restoration" WHEN | WHERE Tuesday night at 10 on History WHAT IT'S ABOUT Say, who is that dude wandering through Rick Dale's "boneyard" -- the guts of his Las Vegas restoration center, where interesting old things come to die and be restored? He looks familiar. He stops at a piano, plays, moves along. Ah yes, that would be Billy Joel, star of Monday's new-season opener. He wants Dale to restore a 1967 BSA Royal Star, nearly the same kind of motorcycle young Billy raised hell on as a kid growing up on Long Island. A "BSA Royal Star 850 was my first bike and this is about as close as I could find to the original one," he says, taking the top off a shipment box that contains a rusted skeleton and a few loose parts. He's in town for a gig and wonders if Rick could put this "basket case" back together. Dale thinks he can, and does, with the help of "Ace" and "Caveman." MY SAY We know Joel is a man of many talents, though this show reveals a couple of lesser-known ones: He knows his bikes, and he knows how to ham it up for reality shows, or at least one expressly designed for gearheads. A quip here, a joke there, a one-liner over there, and before you know it, he's hijacked the whole hour, even if he's on camera only for about 15 minutes. And watching him wander the Dale boneyard, there's also a glimpse of a career that might have been: Joel loves junk, or at least old things that evoke a lost past. A romantic at heart and by trade, Joel's a natural for "American Restoration." Moreover, he's no idle hobbyist, either, but obviously knows as much as an expert, and tonight's show also offers a nice plug for his Oyster Bay-based 20th Century Cycles, which "reverse restores" cycles, by taking new bikes and morphing them into classic designs. Dale was impressed, and you likely will be, too. BOTTOM LINE The Piano Man is really a Motorcycle Man. Fun hour. GRADE B+

Entertainment

ETTEL28.WEB

'American Restoration' review: Billy Joel stars in season premiere

Newsday

restoration billy joel cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

34 must-see fall concerts

Fall theater preview

Too much 'Jeopardy'?

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

Dylan Skolnick, 58, was fired Sept. 1 after the board of directors alleged "serious misconduct" but did not elaborate.

'Bring Dylan back': Hundreds gather in support of fired Cinema Arts Centre co-director

Before "Abbott Elementary," there was "Our Miss Brooks" and more shows with smart TV teachers.

Remember these classy TV teachers?

The city of New York plays a big role in this "NCIS" spinoff.

Does 'NCIS: New York' make the grade with its locations?

The sitcom star and the executive producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond" will be inducted on Nov. 5.

Ray Romano to be inducted into LI hall of fame

Florence Pugh stars in Netflix's remake of John Steinbeck's classic, which is too long and too tedious.

'East of Eden' review: A tale of several deadly sins

Probably not, but some locals can't imagine what other place it could be.

Is Taylor Swift singing about LI's 'Babylon' in her new song?

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

The veteran reporter and anchor is now working on a documentary on NYPD Det. Steven MacDonald.

Former WCBS, WPIX crime reporter Mary Murphy looks back at her career

From the wizarding world to what's new on Netflix, Newsday TV writer and critic Verne Gay previews the fall season,

'Harry Potter is the most important series of the decade'

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits MJ Social in Island Park to learn how to play mah-jongg.

Mother-daughter team create a place to play mah-jongg

How this Long Island mother-son duo are taking over TikTok

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Das Biergarten in Long Beach.

It's Oktoberfest every day at this Long Beach restaurant

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman takes a tour of the farmhouse at Kerber's Farm, which is one of four properties available to rent for overnight stays on the farm.

Stay the night at this LI farm

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Bisqo in Hicksville to try the Miso Overload, a Dubai-inspired creation which combines a frappe with a slice of tiramisu.

 Trendy Bites: Have your frappe with a slice of tiramisu on top

Ex-NYS court officer Brian Burke accompanied Rex Heuermann to nearly all of his court appearances. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Former LI court officer talks about Gilgo Beach serial killer's chilling admissions

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed explores a Cutchogue vineyard's unique operation on preserved land.

Out East: McCall Wines

The revitilization to Westbury Avenue in Carle Place will include sidewalk replacement, street repaving and improved pedestrian crossings. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

$4M street revitalization project begins in Carle Place

The Knicks began training camp on Tuesday with the hopes of repeating as NBA champions. Newsday's Knicks beat writer Steve Popper reports.

New season, new journey for Knicks

NewsdayTV's Andi Berlin visits No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin.

Newsday's Top 50 restaurants: A burger joint joins the list

Sitewide Video Playlist

Nearly $1.2 billion in unclaimed funds is available across more than 5 million accounts on Long Island, according to the state comptroller's office. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

$1.2B available across 5 million accounts on LI

Santos Banegas Reyes, a 42-year-old ICE detainee, died in Nassau County Jail last year after staff provided "inadequate medical care," a federal report found. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'My reaction to the report is outrage'

They likely belong to an elderly woman who went missing in the area in December, Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

'The body has not been positively identified'

'Long overdue'

'The most disturbing case I ever worked'

Roslyn, Syosset and Jericho school districts were recognized in the top 10 nationwide. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Speaks to the hard work of our district and their families'

The state's latest pension sweeteners pushed the burden of the expense onto taxpayers. Newsday towns reporter Joseph Ostapiuk has more.

'There's a few factors'

The coast was hit hard this weekend after a nor'easter swept through Long Island, NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'You can't mess with Mother Nature'

A Newsday/Siena poll shows support for limited screen time in schools. Newsday education reporter Lorena Mongelli explains.

'I think they should be limited'

Many Long Island families were left to deal with flooding from the nor'easter Sunday. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It's been a day'

At Jones Beach Long Islanders can already see the effects of the nor'easter. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'Anywhere from moderate flooding to major flooding'.

NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger talks to Freeport residents about the flooded roads caused by Saturday's nor'easter.

'It's nature, there's nothing I can do about it'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'American Restoration' review: Billy Joel stars in season premiere

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.