"Raising" Arizona
Recap & Commentary by Mike Meilinger
April 21, 2005
On this week's Knievel's Wild Ride, we see a "Norman Rockwell" photo of Evel taking a shot of Wild Turkey with Robbie gazing upwards at his super hero father. A montage of additional photos is shown while Robbie narrates his childhood.
After the opening credits we are presented with a beautiful Arizona mountain landscape that will serve as a backdrop for this week's 185-foot jump over 18 or 19 RVs.
Raising Suspicion
Brian Gates, Robbie's bodyguard and head of security is assessing the threat level concerning a local daredevil wannabee. Robbie dismisses him as being a jerk, that thinks he's famous, but is just history.
Raising the Ramps
Once again Pete, the Carnie is helping erect the ramps. Robbie is concerned that the RVs are 9' wide instead of the anticipated 8'. Oh well, I guess he'll just have to jump…further. The skip jump that has to be constructed over the curbing is also a growing concern. Once again the wind is going to cause problems and we are shown clips of Robbie's Hawaiian Family Jewel Crushing Crash to bring heighten the potential for danger.
Raising Interest
Robbie is whisked away to a Meet -N- Greet (Touchy Feely Time). Robbie always obliges his fans (when he shows up) and shakes hands, signs autographs and takes photos. Brian reminds us of the whackos that can show up at these events as one guy claims to be a record-breaking jumper. There are burnouts galore, capped off with some yahoo laying his bike down in mid burnout.
Raising A Ruckus
Robbie misses an appointment (a situation that will be reoccurring throughout this episode). This time it's radio interview. The DJs are pretty pissed and diss Robbie on the air. Robbie calls and tries to apologize but I think it's too little too late. Meanwhile, Roman is still in bed when he admits that he should be at the "chump site". Actually that was just Roman's strong Austrian accent getting in the way but he also could have been referring to Todd who is at the site. Todd makes a comment that Roman is basically worthless and that they don't need him.
Raising A Young Lady/Media Hound (I'm being nice!!)
Two weeks running, Krysten has flown in from Chicago for the jump. Personally, she is just looking for more camera time. Hey get it while you can! This assertion will later be vindicated in the show. Robbie doesn't mind Krysten being there so long as she realizes that Daddy still has to work.
Raising Hell
The crew heads out to the City Limits nightclub where they are in search of finding some "drop dead" women to dress in bikinis and become Knievelettes. Roman's back becomes the talk of the town. Todd continues to talk behind it, while Pete has it, since he is apparently going to repeat the night's comments back to Roman. Pete ends up finding a couple of blonde bombshells and seems to be initiating a little ménage a trios (for all you bikers out there that's French for 2 on 1).
Raising Tempers
Todd calls Roman a greasy, homeless biker and a faggot (not far off). Actually Roman's pretty cool. Roman finds out about the name-calling and confronts Todd. The two men face off in what begins as friendly banter and ends up nasty. Todd laughs it off throughout but Roman doesn't appear to be very happy about the whole thing.
Raising Concerns
Spanky Spangler is once again concerned about the skip ramp. He believes Robbie will be getting some air when he rides over it. Robbie isn't too concerned saying that he'll just ride a wheelie up the ramp. Meanwhile Bill Rundle is under the gun to fix the #1 stunt bike that has broken down. They ever so slightly allude to the fact that it may have been sabotaged.
Robbie misses another appointment and the photo shoot has to be rescheduled. As I had mentioned, Krysten doesn't miss the chance to be in there with her father in the ever so dangerous "snapping of the photos". Roman comments about Krysten's 19-year-old body joking he wouldn't mind being Robbie's son-in-law. Robbie has no objections as long as Roman wouldn't mind being castrated and having a ventilated neck!! The photo shoot ends with Pete and Todd being shot as nasty bikers but to Roman it looks like Todd is "taking a crap".
Raising Funds and Frustration
The Fall Riders Biker Festival is scheduled to ride to Mexico. The participants have paid $200 a piece to be escorted by Robbie on this ride. Robbie shows up late much to the dismay of the events coordinator and Dan Haggerty (Grizzly Adams) who is also riding along. Kaptain Undependable compounds the frustration when his bike runs out of gas leaving the riders deserted in the desert. I think Robbie's self proclaimed 98% American approval rating is going to drop a couple of points this week!!! They finally make it to "Mexican Run": by stopping to buy some souvenirs. I just hope nobody drank the water.
Raising the Bar
The day of the jump has arrived and Brian is cocked and locked as he is on the lookout for the old hometown jumper who never liked the Knievels. The biker boys continue to bicker with the jarring coming to a head. Roman attempts to get a petition together to oust Todd. The bottom line is Todd is going to have to change if he is to make it back for another jumping season or Brian is going to "bitch slap" him back to tomorrow.
Amongst the increasingly heavy gales and pending rainfall Robbie readies for the jump. Krysten states that she is nervous (but not too nervous) as she belts out a very nice rendition of the National Anthem. Robbie makes his pre-ride passes as Brian nervously paces and scans the crowd (looking for the elusive "red herring"). Robbie then executes what I believe to be his best jump of the Knievel's Wild Ride series. Technically, this jump will be hard to beat… Oh, by the way, the A-hole never did show up. What a surprise!!! Until next week, ponder this:
"One can never consent to creep, when one feels an impulse to soar…"
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.
