Running on Fumes

This is a tale of two jumps, two Robbies and two networks. Maybe other motorcycle fans with relate similar New Year’s experiences, but I spent the night of Dec 31st flipping the channels to watch the Las Vegas stunts of Robbie Maddison and Robbie Knievel.

First was Maddison on ESPN. And the Aussie put on a thrilling show. Billed as the Red Bull No Limits event, Maddison’s stunt involved jumping his Yamaha on top of the Paris Casino’s replica of the Arc de Triomphe, then hop down via a second ramp. After New Zealander Rhys Millen was unable to drive away from his much-hyped truck backflip, the first stunt of the evening, it was Maddo’s turn.

If Maddison wasn’t freaked out by his attempt, he’s an incredible actor. The concern on his face was evident as ESPN televised the daredevil’s insane jump. Stepping up on top of the near 100-ft arc was the easy part, with the most intense moments being Maddison circling the ledge before falling off and nearly botching the landing. Maddo managed to save it, however, and escaped with only a nasty gash on his hand. (For the full story read MCUSA Executive Editor Steve Atlas’ New Year No Limits: History Made! )

After the genuine tension and excitement of Maddison’s stunt, Knievel’s exploits fell flat. Not literally, as Knieval the Younger made his jump without trouble, but compared to the show down the road it wasn’t the same.

In fact, FOX’s entire New Year’s show, of which Knievel’s stunt was the finale, was a bizarre affair. Among the highlights, or more accurate the lowlights, were tepid musical performances (which pains me to admit, as STP front-man Scot Weiland delivered one the best live performance I’ve ever seen way back in the mid ‘90s but bombed big time with a no-name solo effort). And don’t get me started on the FOX New Year’s MCs… It was hard to watch. The only thing that kept me from flipping the remote was the promise of the Knievel name and the stunt.

And then when it happened, instead of excitement, I felt confusion. Knievel soared over something, but it seemed pretty clear from the horrible camera angle that it wasn’t the much-hyped Mirage Volcano, which we were often reminded is the world’s biggest “fire attraction.” Wooo.... I know, fire attraction – maybe pyromaniacs care, but does anyone else?

Replays of the same camera angle that made it pretty clear Evel’s boy jumped the street in front of the Volcano – not the Volcano itself. Some reports say Knieval was game to jump the real thing, but hotel management wasn’t. Either way, it definitely lessened the stunt’s effect.

But the piece de resistance of the strange FOX coverage was Knieval’s 15 minutes or so of commentary after the successful jump. You got the feeling that somebody off camera was doing that stretch sign to the FOX MC, as in, we contractually got to stretch this train wreck ‘til 12:30. The result was a lot of commercials spliced with an awkward interview that included Knievel shoutouts to sponsors, old friends from the Carolinas and some fella named Jesus Christ…

Anyway, who would think that ESPN is now the best channel for New Year’s coverage… But they were for 2008!

As for FOX, you guys owe me an hour of sleep!