Evel Knievel during his Snake River Canyon jump attempt
Evel Knievel during his Snake River Canyon jump attemptI am Evel KnievelFew motorcycle icons evoke more images of flamboyance, courage and sheer grit than Evel Knievel.
On the 40th Anniversary of his spectacular Snake River Canyon jump attempt, Spike TV presents a revealing look at America’s most infamous daredevil in the original TV documentary “I Am Evel Knievel.”The 90-minute special will premiere on Spike TV Wednesday, Sept., 10 at 11 p.m. ET/PT.The program combines original exclusive interviews with archival footage of this larger-than-life character to tell Knievel’s incredible story.Featured interviews include Matthew McConaughey, Kid Rock, Michelle Rodriguez, Guy Fieri, Robbie Maddison, and family members including sons Kelly and Robbie, and former wives Linda Knievel and Krystal Kennedy-Knievel. Lathan McKay, owner of the world’s largest collection of Evel Knievel memorabilia, is also featured.Knievel’s enduring legacy is his long list of unforgettable death-defying jumps. The documentary features footage of Evel’s greatest jumps, including the seminal Snake River Canyon and Caesars Palace jumps.The film also showcases Knievel’s rise from a small town rebel in Butte, Montana, to a cultural icon whose rise to superstardom was built on nerves of steel and the ability to get up and do it again no matter the severity of the fall. He lived like every day was his last, which led to a tumultuous life encompassing meteoric success, wild hubris, egomaniacal mistakes and ultimately redemption.“My dad proceeded through life as if limitations of his own imagination, courage and abilities did not exist – it was really something to grow up with,” stated Kelly Knievel.“When Evel hit the ground hard, he hit the bull’s eye in an America that was hungry for heroes, hungry for men who scoffed at danger and walked away from death,” said Director/Producer Derik Murray.“Evel Knievel was the first, the original, the craziest daredevil that ever lived. He did it on heavier bikes, and he did it without the technology and experience that comes with today’s action sports heroes.”The documentary is the latest in Spike TV’s original “I Am” series. The network debuted the critically acclaimed “I Am Steve McQueen” earlier this year and “I Am Bruce Lee” in 2012, also produced by Murray.Check out the trailer here.
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.
