"Show Boatin" In A New York Minute
Recap & Commentary by Mike Meilinger
April 14, 2005
Last week I didn't mention the show's catchy theme song, an up tempo modern version of "Born To Be Wild".
After commercials we see Robbie on the bus headed to New York, NY where he will attempt to jump 7 aircraft on the deck of the retired USS Intrepid.
Unfortunately, two of Robbie's right-hand men have been forced to "jump ship". Spanky Spangler, stunt coordinator and renowned stunt man and crew chief Bill Rundle, have prior commitments to perform and oversee Evel Knievel's 3rd Annual Knievel Days in Butte, Montana. Without their high level of expertise, Robbie and crew pull into the city and waste no time checking out the nightlife.
Smoked Pork & Beef
They stumble into the legendary Hogs & Heifers Saloon, a popular biker bar. The bar is owned and run by women who are "scantily/skankily" dressed and have a tradition of two-stepping and blowing fire on top of the bar. This week, Roman is targeted for abuse, delivered by the bartender with practiced contempt. She verbally assaults him for ordering a cranberry and Absolute and then complaining that the drink is too strong. After wordlessly suffering the verbal assault, our "Girlie Man" leaves the bar with only his ego bruised.
Roman has a great idea. For retribution they will bring their bikes into the bar and do a dual burnout. The bar is completely engulfed with smoke so thick you could not see "3 feet in front of you". Roman in his Austrian accent declares, "New York has been Rominated by the Romanator"followed with the forgettable exit line "I shall return". Not quite with the same impact the California Governator delivered with his "I'll be back"; however the parody did not go unnoticed.
Media Blitzed
Next morning Robbie wakes up early and after struggling to find a pair of clean underwear heads out to meet the press, radio & TV alone. The rest of the crew hangs back at the hotel sleeping off their hangovers. Robbie heads over to the Intrepid to check out the site and get in a few practice runs between interviews. He is quick to notice that there is a high wind and the deck's surface is very slippery. Added to the fact that the landing area is about 80-feet too short he presumes he is in for a "hairy landing" and he's sure to go f---in hard into the 4 rows of hay bales.
The 3rd Annual Knievel Daze
Amidst the stunt riders and extreme jumpers, a misty-eyed Bill Rundle tells us that Evel's health is not up to par but that he should be able to lead the parade. Evel comes out and mounts his Red, White and Blue Harley V-Rod (Nice bike, Evel) and kicks things off. The long line of bikes heads down the main drag - probably past the bar where Robbie got his "clock cleaned" the previous week. A choked up Bill prays to GOD that Evel's health stays up and can do it next year. I may just be reading between the lines and I am only speculating but it appears that Evel may be suffering with a very serious or even life-threatening disease. Maybe time will tell.
Back In The Big Apple
With Spanky and Bill in Butte, Todd is left in charge of all the pre-jump preparations and ramp constructions. Robbie once again has a tough time pulling himself out of bed. This time Pete in a semi-drunken state stays back at the room. Robbie heads off to the Today Show Plaza to be interviewed by Al Roker and friends. When asked about his father's health these days, Robbie appears to dodge the question. Meanwhile, Roman is charming the pants or should I say "undies" off the ladies in the crowd. Robbie completes the interview by jumping a mini-bike over 7 airplanes in a mock stunt. Robbie clips the wing of the last jet but quickly dismisses the notion that this may be a bad omen.
After the interview Robbie heads off to the airport to meet his 18-year-old daughter, Krysten, who has just flown in from Chicago. The pair head out to a taping of Americas Most Wanted to meet John Walsh. Krysten has read all 3 of John's books and is a big fan. It is obvious there is a mutual admiration and friendship shared with John and Robbie. After a brief photo op they head back to the ship with John telling Robbie to make sure he doesn't crash in front of his kids!!!
All Hands On Deck
On the Intrepid, Sandy Grossman, live show director, and Todd, acting crew chief are working to get the jumps in the right position. They check the alignment and clearance and detect that one of the jet's wing will be in Robbie's way. Roman jokes that will just have to clip the wing. Speaking of Roman. The "Inflatinator" failed on his responsibility of adding air pressure to the jump bike's tires. To his credit he does admit to screwing up.
Back in Butte
Spanky jumps 140 feet from a crane into an air bag. He makes a perfect pinpoint landing, thus marking an end to another successful "Knievel Days" festival. Bill is once again inexplicably choked up after the stunt saying that this completes this leg of the journey. The pair will be rushed to the airport and fly back into New York with a dozen hours to spare before the big jump.
Night On The Town
Robbie and Krysten share a nice dinner alone and use the time to get caught up. Krysten lives with her mother and only gets to see Robbie on holidays and in the summer. Robbie feels guilty about not being able to spend as much time with her as he'd like. He tells her she can fly out to any of his shows and that she should bring a friend. Robbie compliments her on her beauty but says she'll always be his baby girl. Robbie offers her some fatherly advice telling her not to get married, but if she does, he only wants girls for grandchildren (he is afraid that a boy would want to follow in grandpa's footsteps). The two exchange the feelings of love and head back to the hotel, calling it a night.
Anchors Away
The big day finally arrives and so does Spanky and Bill. Bill expresses some trepidation particularly with the heavy crosswind on the USS Intrepid. Spanky is worried about the landing since he will be hitting those hay bales pretty darn fast and that he may go over the edge plummeting 85 feet into the New York Harbor. As night falls, under the watchful eyes of Lady Liberty, Robbie dedicates this jump to all of the 911 victims and heroes along with the troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Without the usual pre-jump fanfare Robbie launches himself over the 7 aircraft. Bill was correct in his fear of the crosswind because Robbie's bike is blown almost off the right side of the landing ramp. The bike lands slightly twisted with the rear tire nearly kicking out. Robbie then executes a perfect "controlled crash" by falling off his bike and sliding feet first into the 4 rows of hay bales where he is inexplicably impaled by a lone needle (just kidding). Frantic, Robbie's crewmembers dig through the hay, only to uncover our daredevil "unscathed". The jump is replayed several times from various angles. Actually Robbie was able to walk away but not without suffering a broken hand and "torn up" elbows. Hey, look on the bright side; at least he didn't have to sleep with the fishes!!!
Until next week remember:
Fifteen thousand dollars and fifteen minutes do not make you a biker…
Michael Meilinger is a full-time professional, father and husband and a part-time biker.
Let him know what you think at blackpearl1100@yahoo.com. If he is not out on the road, he'll be sure to get back to you.
They Were Cast - Why Not You?
Reality TV Calendar will send you the latest casting calls as soon as they are released. Calls are often short notice with short deadlines. You need to make contact immediately. You can't do that unless you have immediate notification of the call. One Time Payment, Only $7.95.
Click For More Information.
