Fight to the death

by Christopher Flood
THE POST

It was only a matter of time before natural progression would lead to Edward "Trey" Roski III’s co-creating Comedy Central's BattleBots, the ultimate destructive display of robotic genius.

Roski was inspired while competing in a European game show that matched homemade robots against one another. He was disillusioned with the European format because the competitions were choreographed, and he wanted to keep it real, not

staged like professional wrestling.

Shortly after his experience, Roski, the son of Los Angeles multi-millionaire Edward Roski Jr., (co-owner of the L.A. Kings, L.A. Lakers, Staples Center and Las Vegas Hilton) collaborated with his cousin Greg Munson to stage their own shows.

Following in the success of a pay-per-view special, the former two-time world

champion duo have been kicking "robutt" with BattleBots.

The crash of metal was heard around the country at 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 30 as Comedy Central's BattleBots received a 2.1 HH rating, which translates into 1.4 million households tuning in, supplying two million viewers. The BattleBots debut is one of the highest-rated premieres in network history. Compared to its Wednesday time slot average for the preceding six weeks, ratings increased 93 percent.

"We are thrilled that Comedy Central's first foray into sports with BattleBots is a success in ratings and in supporting our brand, by continuing our commitment to fun and distinctive programming," said Debbie Liebling, senior vice president of original

programming and development for Comedy Central. "BattleBots appeals directly to our core demographics by offering real excitement, serious competition and natural comedy. It's rare when all of that can come together in one program."

This immediate success has prompted the network to order an additional 13 episodes of the series, which will debut in December 2000. This second season will be shot during the next competition in early November — to be held in Las Vegas.

BattleBots features homemade remote-controlled metallic robots in a variety of weight classes that fight to the "death" in the "BattleBox," a 48-foot-by-48-foot steel, cage-like arena constructed of shatterproof glass. Matches last three minutes or until a robot is knocked out or incapacitated. If both are still standing after time expires, the judges award a winner based on performance categories.

The BattleBox features traps, bumpers, sledgehammers and surprise pop-up weapons such as tungsten-tipped buzz saws and spikes that emerge from the floor, providing an additional 14 hazards for the battling robots. 

This season's action was taped over three consecutive days in June at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. Color commentator Bill Dwyer, play-by-play announcer Sean Salisbury, technical expert Bill Nye a.k.a. "The Science Guy," comedic twins Randy and Jason Sklar (MTV's Apartment 2F) and Baywatch babe Donna D'Errico comprise the BattleBot broadcast team, covering the competition from "Bot" creation, to weigh-in, to battle, to ring-side reactions.

Imagining D’Errico at ringside sporting her red swimsuit, ready to dive into the BattleBox and rescue a flailing robot might be humorous, but she does an excellent job conducting post-battle interviews, and with class, too.

"I like how I'm out of place and don't fit in on the show, " D'Errico said.

It was this factor combined with the show's unique format that ultimately attracted her to it.

"Ninety percent of the competitors take it extremely seriously. They put so much time, energy and thousands of dollars into it. It's not a joke," she said. "I thought it would be smaller scale, but this is a major operation."

Over 200 robots participated in the current season's competition. Fan and announcer favorites include "Pressure Drop," armed with a swinging pick-axe, "Biohazard," a steel box that is virtually invincible, and "Backlash," built like a deep dish pizza cutter and "Disposable Hero." Description?

Two of the more unusual robots are "Mekadon," 484 pounds of arachnid-style stainless steel, and "Ginsu," with six 20-inch saw blades as wheels. Both were nearly

unbeatable in international competitions and are part of the "super" heavy weight division.

D'Errico said the difference between her new role and her previous Baywatch role is that "the robots are what they appear to be… unlike the cast of Baywatch."

Color commentator Bill Dwyer summed up the show best, though, by explaining, "I'm seeing wires on the floor. I think I'm gonna' be sick!"

BattleBots airs on Comedy Central Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. and repeats Sundays at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.