The Rumor Mill: Live Gators Back in the Game? TV Exec Recommends Adding Electric Chair!

[DavidSams]

There was a time when--and only when--a game would go into Sudden Death Overtime and live Gators would be brought out to the track and put into the Gator Pit. In order to win a game, you would have to knock your opponent into the pit to score the winning game point. RollerGame Players were furious over the inclusion of live Gators--half wanted the creatures, half DID NOT! Now, there are rumors that the gators will be coming back. Officials are currently not commenting on these rumors. However, word has it that TV executives who are considering putting roller sports on the air may, in fact, demand it! Says one TV exec who wishes to go unnamed, "Live Gators are being considered, as are a pack of wild coyotes and wolves. The TV audience is very demanding. They want to see blood!" What do you think, should wild animals be part of SUDDEN DEATH OVERTIME? (Note: See my follow up conversation with this TV exec below, where he also recommends that we add an electric chair element at the end of each game!).

[Marc Stern, The Chicago Ace]

Are you kidding me. The game should be decided by Skaters NOT Gators. Regulation banked track maybe longer and more banked is the ONLY way to go. The game should be legit, like the roller girls are doing.

Marc Stern

[Tim Patten]

A Roller Derby TV show is for children. Anything that keeps youngsters involved with watching the show is a GO! It Must be more modern than your older sisters roller derby.

[DavidSams]

Marc, I agree! However, if we need to add obstacles to the banked track--like the live gator pit--in order to get a national TV deal, what choice do we have? One network executive put it this way "If I put Roller Derby on TV, it's competing with NFL Football and the WWE for the same advertising dollar. Show me something that is going to shake those advertising dollars loose and away from those other sports!" If adding live gators is not the answer, then what is? What do you suggest we do to warrant airtime on national television? I'm open to ALL suggestions here!

[Jim Fitzpatrick]

Hi David,

Show the TV executives a photo of Mizzz Georgia Hase and that will shake something alright. In all seriousness, a nationwide search for the greatest skating athletes of today will bring us many Xtreme athletes. They will have no problem transitioning to a traditional banked track, a figure eight track or even a track with obsticles. They are going to be more willing to attempt some wild and dangerous moves. Because of that I wouldn't mind seeing the game evolve in the direction Japan's Roller Game (not Roller Games) did. When we skated in the World Cup in Tokyo Japan, we were padded up like hockey players. By doing that to our players, you would immediately see hits and collisions like the NFL and NHL. Fear of falling is eliminated. The difficult task of training a skater only to see their career cut short due to injury is a huge problem that would be lessoned with more portective gear.

Any TV executive would probably say we'd need to show more "skin." Adding a skater profile section to each ROLLERGAMES program would allow for "skin" shots to take place (examples: skaters working out in a gym, at the beach, modeling, etc).

I would love to see a track (any style) designed with a transparent surface in which cameras could film from below bringing you right into the action. You would get some amazing shots of spills and crashes. The NFL has done quite a bit of experimenting with camera angles over the years.

Fans should realize we need to be open to some changes and understand the need for compromise. Skates, protective equipment and everything for that matter is constantly evolving and improving over time. Maybe now is the time for some changes to take place.

Jim Fitzpatrick
GM, SF Bay Bombers

[Jersey Joe]

Jim -- I am all for camera angles, a transparent track, extra padding and protective gear, and daredevil acts. What I do not like is the idea of gimmicks. I find them highly insulting and it demeans the sport.

Definitely bring it into the 21st century but don't turn it into another circus.

Had Roller Jam stuck with skating with all the young skaters and their daredevil acts, I think it would have kept going. It was when the soap opera story lines took over that Jam - the TV Show took a nose dive. I believe I watched about 7-8 weeks of Jam and turned it off.

Like everyone else, I would LOVE to see Games or Derby back on TV, but the purist in me wants to see a sport and not a TV Show.

Jersey Joe

[Dr. Adrian Yuen]

Aloha, Jim: Your points are well-taken. However, the "core" of the game must be preserved. When people like myself choose to attend the games, we do not intend to come to a circus. I would not pay monies to travel from Hawaii to New York City to see a so-called game where the core is mere frivolity. I like watching the American Gladiators and right now, I would not go from Hawaii to Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York City to see the American Gladiators if they were in that city. But the "heart" of Roller Derby and Roller Games would draw me out. I would not travel from Hawaii to Florida to watch Roller Jams where the girls looked like bimboos on wheels nor to a game that centered around silly storylines that insulted our intelligence. I used to like watching wrestling when it appeared to be more athletic then now that it is merely entertaining. Honestly, Jim, when Roller Derby and Roller Game began to "evole" out from their core center that attendance and enthusiasm waned (in addition to other factors as mentioned by historians). As much as I love football and enjoyed watching the University of Hawaii Warriors this year, if the focus left the core of the game, even if they had half-naked women in the center of the field doing "their thing" while the game was being played or suddenly the sport was filled with all kinds of storylines (Coach Kamaehaka is having a baby with Cynthia Woods, the wife of NFL player, Donald Summers), I do not care how the storylines play out even when most of us already know the storylines are conjured up and then coupled by women in the stands running from gorrillas on the sidelines, I would eventually lose interst in going to the football games. To no disrespect to those who want more "show" than "some kind of sport" and to add "silly creatures" in the center and "athletes" around those silly creatures, the sport we call Roller Derby would die another and perhaps a final death. We need to bring back the game with its core in tact where skaters used agility and ability to woo the audience and not whose wife he is sleeping with as the main core of the game. And regarding gorillas, gators, or Jerry Springer freak shows (no offense to Jerry), look at his program on tv and compare that to Oprah Winfrey or Montell Williams and decide which program will outlive the others. I honestly believe that a person with ADHD (no offense) would enjoy the chaos of some of what evolved over the years with Roller Games. And the serious fans who love action and showmanship too will leave again, this time never to come back. If geniuses want to come up with an alternative Roller Games, then let that happen and perhaps alternative Roller Games will cater to another crowd of good people, perhaps more pertinent to another generation. But, if RG or RD want to keep me as a fan and get others who like me would travel all over to attend the games, we need a little more sports and a little less showmanship and when the show is the center of the stage, then I could just as well go to the nearest circus in Honolulu and attend that. And as much as I love circuses, I do not remember them long in my memories. But, with great games that I have seen with Roller Derby and Roller Games, the uniqueness of the core of the game has stayed with me since I was seven years old and I am now fifty-four.

Aloha, Jim. You are leading one of the greatest teams in Roller history, the great San Francisco Bay Bombers. . .

Continue the great work,

Adrian
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[Jersey Joe]

Wow! Dr. Adrian -- you said it better than I could ever hope! I do hope that they will make the skating the core of the game and cut out the ridiculous storylines and gimmicks.

Jersey Joe

[Jim Fitzpatrick]

Hi Jersey Joe,

Let's make this something that years and years from now kids who grew up watching it in 2008 will still be hocked on it as we are, 30 or 40 years after we first discovered it.

Televison executives aren't going to care in the lest what a few hundred of us think. We need to blast this site with as many voices as possible as David posted. It's all a numbers game. If the executives know beyond a shadow of a doubt what direction the public wants this to go in, then .... It's time for everyone to fight to make this work. It's also time to put out posts to sir up some controversy. Lets get some peoples emotions really riled up to let them know we are out there.

Take care,
Jim Fitzpatrick
GM, SF Bay Bombers

[Jersey Joe]

Hi Jim! How are you, my friend? I hope the New Year is treating you well.

I agree with you, 100%. I got hooked on Derby and Games back in 1967 when I first laid eyes on the new to Philadelphia Warriors. Judy Arnold, Judi McGuire, Dru Scott, Harlean "Whirleybird" Khien, Yolanda Trevino, Buddy Atkinson, Jr., Richard Brown, Mike Gammon, Otis Williams, Harry Morgan, Erwin Miller and company really skated a rough game.

When I attended the 2007 National Roller Derby Hall of Fame event held in Cherry Hill, NJ, I met a number of great skaters. The one thing I'll remember is Judy Sowinski and John "Gootch" Gauterri raving about the Warriors and how they knew when they rolled into town with the NY Bombers, that they had their hands full. The Warriors were the most Derby-like Roller Games team out there.
Jerry Hill let the skaters skate the game and the story lines didn't get crazy until he left, which was a sad event for Roller Games.

Anyway, I'll never forget my first live game. I was 11 years old, so it was 1970 and skated at the old the old Trenton Civic Center (which burned down in early 1974). It was the Warriors vs. NY Bombers. I can close my eyes and remember my first reaction to seeing a real banked track, the sound of the wheels on the track, the roar of the crowd and all the great action. That was 38 years ago and roller sports will always hold a special place in my heart.

I wish everyone the best in their endeavors to bring back Derby/Games.

I do hope it's skating that sells it.

Jersey Joe

[Carol Gail]

Hi Jim
I Know we have to move with the times but I do not want to see a circus or a zoo with aligators and such things or skaters in skimpy costumes. How can they skate a proper game without the right protection if they are worried about getting hurt. I want to see skaters who can really SKATE like the roller skaters of the old roller Derby and Games. Perhaps someone needs to sit down and watch some old 50s and 60s and early 70s games and watch how they skated before it got to be a soap opera. I have been watching some old games and I can watch the same games over and over again and I think wow they could skate!!! AND WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE MAKE UP ARTISTS ON THE IN FIELD touching up skaters make up.
I agree with you that whatever we do make it something that the kids of today will remember in 40 years time with passion as we do.

[Jim Fitzpatrick]

Hi Dr, Adrian Yuen,

I appreciate your well, thought out feelings. I've met David Sams and spoken to him on a number of occasions. He is very pasionate about this project, as with everything he does, and will fight to make it the best he can.

As a father, another key point is I definately want this to be something the entire family will want to sit down and watch together. 95% of us got hooked on this "thing" as kids. To this day, we are still hooked on it. That's pretty powerful stuff! I want my kids to be proud of what I'm involved in. Also, from an economical standpoint, why would you want to limit your audience?

I'd also like to thank you for the compliment about leading one of the greatest teams in Roller history. Harold Jackson is definately leading the other! As for Mizzz Georgia Hase and her Red Devils....

Best wishes,
Jim Fitzpatrick
GM, SF Bay Bombers

[Dr. Adrian Yuen]

Aloha: I am open to new ideas and new things, indeed. But, I honestly (and it is my opinion only, grin) feel that Roller Derby and Roller Games are unique. Roller Jam was well choreographed, but it did not live long. Why? Because others are doing the same things and doing them better.

If we want gorillas, gators, and circuses in the center, other entertainments are doing a better job. I do not think that Roller Derby or Roller Games can catch up with some of the more popular reality shows that people are looking at on television. And again, even if they can see it on television, why would they have to waste gasoline and show up in an auditorium and pay monies for that.

I do not think Roller Derby or Roller Games was a generational thing. Other than hockey and other variations of the derby, the core of the game is absolutely unique and it would be a marketing mistake to try to copy other good things in town and lose the very uniqueness.

I am not criticizing the genius of David and others who may disagree with my point of view. I respect people highly. But, I think the need to variate is what caused the demise of the game anyway and that need to variate is still the virus in the comeback.

I like Bill Griffiths. I met him on an airplane coming to Hawaii once and spoke at lengths with him. He does not remember me, I am sure, but I appreciate him too. But, sometimes we cannot see the obvious for the curious. And our creative self gets in trouble with the foundation.

Roller Derby is really a wonderful idea and while we can certainly improve on it and truly evolve with it, the core of the game is really the selling point. When I watch the older games (the hard-fought games of the 60s, 70s, etc.), I do not think it is a generational thing. Even if we were to appeal to the younger generation, we need to be ready for a sudden surge and then a dissipation. If anyone wants to create an alternative Roller Games, let that happen. Hockey is still popular, basketball is still popular, football is still popular, etc. These people who "affect the direction of the sport" have kept in touch with the American fans and have preserved the core of the sport which continues to bring all generations out.

To no disrespect to anyone, but we need young and vibrant skaters who can once again fly around the track at high speed, the likes of Richard Brown who I saw fly over th railings at the Honolulu Civic Auditorium and then jump right back up, or Mike Gammon speeding around the track bend and jumping over the pack, or Gwen Miller doing the same, or my favorite, Judy Arnold, dodging the defensive blocks of Shirley Hardman of the Texas Outlaws. To no disrepect to the skaters of yesteryear that continue to skate so we can enjoy still, the real answer is not the evolution of the sport or the incorporation of gorillas and gators, but the Pat Jones, Lalis, Ray Roble's son, and many others. . .

WE NEED A NEW GENERATION ON THE TRACK IF WE INTEND TO APPEAL TO A NEW GENERATION IN THE STANDS.

David and other great people who love the sport like we all do and want to give it new life need to focus in on getting new talent.

When Andy Griffiths, Robert Redford, and many other actors and actresses aged with time, many of the storylines of the new movies were somewhat similar, some new and creatively exciting, but frequently similar. . . but, new actors and actresses came on the scene to give the movie industry continued life.

What we really need in addition to the great players of yesterday still skating today . . what we really need is NEW AND YOUNG TALENT and when we have the new talent, the new Judy Arnolds, the new Joan Westons, the new Charlie OConnells, the new Liz Hernandezes, the new Red Smartt,s the new Ken Montes, the new Mike Gammons, the new Richard Browns, the new Larry Lewises, the new Tony Romans, the new Carol Meyers, the new Honey Sanchezes, the new Gwen Millers, etc., the game will transition. And while technology and new demand such as modern media can make television watching a clearer experience, its the new stars in Hollywood and the script writers and producers that keep the movie industry going. And when we find the new talent of virile youth, the game will surge again. We do not need to change the core of the game, we need to discover the Ann Calvellos, Sid Harnesks, Bill Grolls, Danny Reileys, Ronnie Rains, Ralphies, and so many others out there that can live out the legacy of previous generation to another.

Not to be religious here, but Moses did a great thing for the children of Israel. But, Moses died, Joshua took over and he took the children of Israel into the Land of Promise, but Joshua died too. . . and many others took over.

The continuity of the game can be preserved, but we have to find the new talent to complement those who are still skating. While Richard Brown can still skate as well as he does and Dave Marez, we need these talents to help mentor the new generations.

And when we have the new on the track, we will have the new fans in the audience.
I think it's that simple.

Just thinking out loud, sorry.

Adrian
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