HISTORY(R) ANNOUNCES THREE HOUR LIVE EVENT "EVEL LIVE" PREMIERING SUNDAY, JULY 8 AT 8PM ET AS PART OF NETWORK'S SECOND ANNUAL CAR WEEK
MOTORSPORTS SUPERSTAR TRAVIS PASTRANA TO ATTEMPT THREE OF ICONIC DAREDEVIL EVEL KNIEVEL'S MOST DARING MOTORCYCLE STUNTS INCLUDING THE ILL-FATED CASEAR'S PALACE FOUNTAIN JUMP KNIEVEL NEVER LANDED 50 YEARS AGO
New York, NY - March 15, 2018 - HISTORY announces "Evel Live," an unprecedented three-hour live event premiering Sunday, July 8 at 8PM ET as part of the network's second annual car week. During "Evel Live," American professional motorsports icon Travis Pastrana will honor legendary daredevil Evel Knievel by attempting three of his most dangerous feats in Las Vegas, Nevada, all while riding a modern day recreation inspired by the motorcycle Knievel used. These include: breaking Knievel's record jump over 50 cars, another record-breaking jump over 14 full size buses, and aiming to make history as the first person to successfully jump the Caesar's Palace fountain on a bike similar to the one Knievel used 50 years ago - an attempt that ended with a crash that left him grasping for life. If Pastrana rides away from all three, he will be the only person to successfully beat two of Knievel's distance records and land a jump over the fountain on a v-twin motorcycle. All of this will happen in the span of just three hours, and HISTORY will capture every exhilarating, nerve-wracking moment live.
"Death-defying feats have fascinated audiences for centuries and Evel was one of the most iconic daredevils in history whose drive, determination and boldness inspired America," said Eli Lehrer, Executive Vice President of Programming, HISTORY. "50 years after Evel went head-to-head with danger at Caesar's Palace, Travis will attempt to catapult his most ambitious stunts to unthinkable heights. This extraordinary live event will certainly be history in the making."
Alongside the three epic jumps will be live interviews with Knievel and Pastrana family members, archival footage of the history behind Knievel's many daring jumps, and expert analysis. Evel Knievel was the world's first iconic daredevil. Spanning a career of 15 years that saw 75 spectacular motorcycle jumps - and a few harrowing accidents - Knievel created a legacy that inspired generations and left audiences in awe of his audacious feats. Fast forward to the present day and Pastrana has stepped into Knievel's shoes as America's modern-day daredevil. Inspired by his predecessor, Pastrana was the first person ever to land a double backflip on a motorcycle.
"Evel Live" is produced by Nitro Circus Media Productions. Trip Taylor and Dave Mateus are executive producers for Nitro Circus Media Productions. Zachary Behr, Sean Boyle and Mary Donahue are executive producers for HISTORY.
Additional new programming in the network's second annual Car Week slate includes:
"Speed Demons" (working title)
Executive produced by Dale Earnhardt Jr., this two-hour special highlights the innovative, fearless and larger-than-life renegades who devoted their lives to pursuing the world's most perilous speed records - and breaking them. Featuring interviews with fanatical "speed demons," the show chronicles the history of speed through the eyes of those most passionate about it. The program will also follow the inimitable Ed Shadle, a speed record holder, as he makes a pulse-pounding attempt to set the first speed record in 20 years.
"Speed Demons" is produced by Pilgrim Media Group. Craig Piligian and Sam Korkis are executive producers for Pilgrim Media Group. Jim Pasquarella is executive producer for HISTORY.
"Hot Rods & Muscle Cars" (working title)
This two-hour special tells the story of the rise, fall and resurrection of the hot rod culture in America, born underground by mavericks who loved speed, power and engineering. Highlighting the most iconic, pavement-shredding muscle cars in history - the outlaw cars that broke all the rules - the program will feature the rebels who built them, the renegades who drove them and the indelible imprint they left on American culture.
"Hot Rods & Muscle Cars" is produced by Pilgrim Media Group. Craig Piligian and Sam Korkis are executive producers for Pilgrim Media Group. Jim Pasquarella is executive producer for HISTORY.
"Truck Wars" (working title)
Since their inception at the turn of the last century, pickup trucks have continued to develop, with manufacturing titans such as Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet competing to build the best of the best. In an hour long special, automotive experts, designers and historians weigh in on the most influential trucks of the past 120 years, covering everything from early Fords based on the Model T and wartime 4x4 Jeeps, to the 1950s luxury Chevy Cameo and the more recent, truly hardcore, high-powered desert truck, the Ford Raptor. This adrenaline-filled special will explore how these heavy-duty vehicles developed, defined off-roading and forever altered the automotive landscape in America.
"Truck Wars" is produced by Pilgrim Media Group. Bert Klasey is executive producer for HISTORY.
"Hot Wheels" (working title)
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of one of the most popular toys in the world - Hot Wheels - this special will tell the history of this iconic toy's journey and the brand's multi-generational influence on car culture and design.
"Hot Wheels" is produced by BoBCat. Jeff Conroy, Thom Beers and Sarah Bernard are executive producers for BoBCat. John Verhoff is executive producer for HISTORY.
A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for all of the above programs.
About HISTORY(R)
HISTORY(R), now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including The Curse of Oak Island, Forged in Fire, Alone, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, as well as the hit drama series Vikings and SIX. The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.
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