FORGOTTEN TV: WILD RIDES with Matt Dillon (1982)

One of my favorite TV specials of the early 80’s was WILD RIDES. It used to air on Nickelodeon quite often.

Hosted by Matt Dillon (around the time of TEX), it featured footage of roller coasters, all set to classic rock music. Each was a MTV music video of sorts. Many of the videos turn up on VH1 Classics.

The best thing about it, my favorite roller coaster (that no longer exists) was included! The Hurricane (or the Roaring Tiger as it was also known) at Circus World in Haines City, Florida. I once rode this coaster 15 times one day.

Sadly, the park, which was renamed Boardwalk and Baseball in the late 80's and became briefly the winter home of the Royals, closed down in the early 90’s. The coaster was said to be sold to a park in Arkansas. I don’t know if it still exists.

Rather than describe the show to you, how about showing it. It has been posted in sections on YouTube. (If you can't see the clips from an outside site or viewer, click through to see)



Part 1 - The Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain, with music by The Who.



Part 2 - Six Flags Over Georgia and the Great American Scream Machine (NOTE: This video appears to use different music than the original. Some say "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones was the original music.)



Part 3 - Featuring the Barnum and Bailey Circus World coaster. This is the one I rode.



Part 4 - A bit on the history of roller coasters

Part 5 seems to be missing on Youtube. I believe it featured "Don't Cha Stop" by the Cars, and was about a guy riding a coaster over and over again.



Part 6

WILD RIDES was released on Warner Home Video. Never on DVD though. Most likely due to music rights issues. What is most shocking is, as I write this, used VHS copies are available for less than a dollar!! Do they even know what they have here? This is a very rare tape that is certainly worth more than that, as it won't likely be released again. (Although if buying, make sure it is the Warner Home Video release )