Knievel’s Wild Ride, Episode 2: My Drink Is Too Strong!

The first episode of Knievel’s Wild Ride had a bar fight, awkward family dynamics, and a death-defying motorcycle jump over 25 police cars. This week, will the family dynamics get more uncomfortable with the introduction of Robbie’s daughter? Will there be more senseless violence in episode two? Will Robbie die? Find the answers to these questions inside!

This week’s episode of Knievel’s Wild Ride opens in the new Seattle office of Robbie Knievel’s business manager, Dan “Zuck” Zuckerman. Zuck tells us that things are going great for Team Knievel and business is good. Robbie and the gang are headed to New York City for a jump on live television to honor veterans and fallen heroes of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Robbie will attempt to jump five fighter planes and two helicopters on the deck of the retired aircraft carrier, USS Intrepid.

From the road, Robbie explains that the ship only has 900 feet for the jump and that the wind might be a factor, therefore he has to build a ski ramp and go as fast as he can.

Not only will the wind be a factor, but Zuck tells us that Evel Knievel Days in Butte, Montana, is taking place at the same time as the USS Intrepid jump. Knievel Days is a celebration of Evel Knievel in his hometown. We now see Evel sitting in a motorcycle sidecar in Butte acting like a grumpy curmudgeon. Fun!

The overlap in scheduling will rob Robbie of his stunt coordinator, Spanky Spangler, and crew chief, Bill Rundle, who are committed to be in Butte. Though they will arrive in New York City 12 hours before the jump, Robbie will be without their help for a week.

“We’re like his security for him. We can see things that other people can’t see,” says Spanky.

Robbie, again from the road, tells us that Spanky and Bill will be involved in Knievel Days in Butte.

Pop Quiz #1: Where will Spanky and Bill be?

Having arrived in New York City, the guys (Robbie, Pete, and Roman) hit the town. Man, I hope they get in another fight! The first thing we see of their wild night in New York is Robbie singing some kind of Evel Knievel theme song with five teenagers on the street. Way to step out from under your father’s shadow, Robbie.

After the song, Robbie goes to bed early (dang!) and the rest of the guys go out to “Hogs and Heifers.” Apparently, “Hogs and Heifers” is a “Coyote Ugly” type bar where allegedly sexy bar matrons wear cowboy hats and dance on the bar. That hasn’t been overdone. We see one of the bartenders scream something in a megaphone. Pete explains that the women behind the bar dress “in between scantily and skanky.” I guess it is a fine line.

Roman now is complaining to us that one of the bartenders made fun of him because he ordered cranberry with his Absolut Vodka. We then see the bartender openly mocking him asking, “You want an umbrella?” Ha! Roman further tells us that she did not let up when he complained his drink was too strong. She says, “I’ve never heard that complaint before!” To me, Roman deserves all this abuse. Did he secretly switch bodies with cowardly Pete? Speaking of Pete, he chimes in with, “These chicks are mean around here!”

Roman, upset about being exposed as an imbiber of wimpy alcoholic beverages, decides to get even. He brings his motorcycle into the bar and peels out. The friction on the wood floor fills the place with smoke. Roman is proud. I don’t think he got close to getting even.

It is now four days before the jump, and Robbie goes to check out the USS Intrepid. He’s told he has only 30 minutes. Robbie tells us that’s its difficult to balance press engagements and practice time.

We now arrive at our weekly discussion of concerns about the jump site!

Pete says the site looks “a little scary.” Pete scared? I can’t imagine. He adds that the deck is slippery. Assistant crew chief Todd says that the distance is 80 feet less than they need for Robbie to have room to stop. Todd continues to comment that the deck has slippery paint and that the condensation keeps changing the texture of the steel deck. Robbie explains that when you hit a smooth spot on steel, “you just slide.” Todd says that they’re afraid Robbie will slide. Somebody off screen explains that plywood was added somewhere because the deck was slippery. Bill Rundle, in Butte, tells us that the wind is a concern and that the deck is slippery.

Pop Quiz #2: Is the deck slippery?

Back in Butte, bikers gather to celebrate Evel Knievel. There are many stunts and Evel leads a motorcycle parade through town. Bill tells us that Evel’s health is a bit iffy, but he’ll soon be up and moving around. I’d love to see him jump some shopping carts in a motorized scooter. That would be cool. Bill says Evel is like a father to him and that he hopes he stays healthy enough for another Knievel Days celebration next year.

Back on the USS Intrepid, Robbie and Todd measure the site for the jump. (Without Bill around to fight with, Todd seems really meek. It’s hard to tell that it is the same guy from last week!) Pete says everyone is worried about the short length of the jump. Robbie says with a chuckle he’ll just lay the bike down after landing and slide into the numerous bales of hay.

It is now three days before the jump and Robbie has an appearance on The Today Show. Robbie tells us that everyone is going to the appearance but Pete. He thinks Pete is “hungover again in bed.”

It is now 8AM and we see Robbie sign autographs for the lunatics who gather around the Today Show studio. Afterwards, Robbie is told not to make any skid marks in the plaza where they’re shooting. “No sudden stops and starts.” Gee, sounds like fun!

Roman chats up a 16-year-old girl and her mother who are in the crowd. They want him to give them his t-shirt in exchange for a Pink t-shirt (Pink, the pop star, not the color). He offers to trade his shirt for the mother’s undies. Knowing what kind of drinks he orders in biker bars, I’m not too surprised by his interest in ladies undergarments.

Matt Lauer and Al Roker interview Robbie and get him to jump some toy planes on a tiny bike. Embarassing. Can you tell I hate The Today Show?