Monster Trux 2000: The New Thrillenium was a one-off monster truck program aired on UPN on February 29th, 2000. The event itself was held at Mesa Park in Fellsmere, Florida. The show was produced by UPN themselves, officiated by ProMT and filmed on February 15 and 16 of the same year, designed to be the first-ever fully-scripted monster truck program and the first of a potential series.
History[]
UPN previously featured Bigfoot on an episode of "I DARE YOU: The Ultimate Challenge" earlier in the year, which most likely led to the program being penned. With the massive success of "WWF Smackdown" on the same network, it is likely this was meant to capitalize on the same type of provocative, character-driven programming and appeal to the same audience. The show was also co-written by Howard Stern writer/soundboard operator Fred Norris with former bodybuilder/model Jennifer Goodwin as an on-site interviewer during many of the scripted segments. Despite the obvious wrestling overtones of the show, two previously wrestling-themed trucks (Sting and Dungeon of Doom/The Outsiders) ran under different names, due to WCW moving their sponsorship from Bigfoot 4x4 to PACE Motorsports. The event was racing only, as no freestyle competition was held.
Field of trucks[]
Drivers[]
- Monster Patrol - Dave Harkey
- Executioner - Mark Hall
- Boogey Van - Pam Vahle
- Firestone - Eric Tack
- Scorpion - Gene Patterson
- Dr. Bonez - Rick Petroline
- Samson - Dan Patrick
- Bigfoot - Dan Runte
Non-driver characters[]
- "Big Daddy" and "Itty Bittie" - owners of Scorpion and Dr. Bonez
- "Ma Vahle" - "Owner" of Boogey Van and Pam Vahle's mother (Although it is unknown if she was Pam's actual mother or an actress)
- Vicki Voom - "Owner" of Monster Patrol (which in reality was Paul Shafer)
- Dusty - "Dan's Girlfriend"
- Blanche - "Dusty's Sister"
The show[]
Pre-show[]
Before the event begins, commentators Jerry Romano and Rick Rooney inform the viewers that they've learned some shocking news before sending it down to John Hefferman. He reports that Bigfoot had been vandalized and apparently a video tape exists. It cuts back to the commentators who say that Bigfoot is most likely out of the event due to their backup truck still being damaged from a crash in Little Rock weeks prior.
Round 1[]
Firestone vs. Executioner
Afterward, there was a "scene" where it shows a broken Bigfoot although it is clear to see that this truck and Runte's truck were not the same, followed by one of some suited gentlemen with a private jet who "owned" Scorpion and Dr. Bonez, and then one of two overly sexualized women going after Runte. Drivers are interviewed about the situation and Bigfoot and Runte are suddenly missing although is not explained as to why.
Boogey Van vs. Monster Patrol
Afterward, an interview was held with "Ma Vahle," Pam's "mother and owner" of Boogey Van and another scene which painted Gene Patterson as not knowing history while a painting was done of Rick.
Dr. Bonez vs. Samson
After the race was a "tape" that showed Runte "sabotaging" Bigfoot (even though no real damage was shown being done to the truck).
Bigfoot vs. Scorpion
Afterward, Patterson and Big Daddy suspect "foul play" during their interviews.
Semi-finals[]
Monster Patrol vs. Dr. Bonez
After the race was a "confrontation" between Runte and his "women" and "Big Daddy" and his crew.
Bigfoot vs. Firestone
Finals[]
Bigfoot vs. Dr. Bonez
Ending[]
The program ends with "Big Daddy" appearing inside Bigfoot saying, "We'll be back!" with a wrench in his hand followed by a short laugh, most likely meant as a "Sequel Hook" for another event. However, this would never happen.
Reception and fallout[]
Monster Trux 2000 would go down in history as one of the most negatively received monster truck events. While the racing course, production values, and track design would receive praise, drivers, owners, promoters, and fans of the sport panned the event for the scripted "drama" and racing, as well as the portrayal of drivers as characters. Most were concerned for the future of the sport if it were to adopt this type of fully-scripted programming for the future, and many insisted that this program continue but without the storylines. According to Bigfoot creator Bob Chandler, an additional thirteen episodes were planned to be produced by UPN if the pilot was a success, stating that "UPN is excited about Monster Trucks and their potential" and that "Monster Trucks are unique[...] you name it we have done it. Is this good or bad? Do we know what direction we want to go? Do we want a single direction? Maybe this is great [...] I think we do not need one direction." Despite the show allegedly doing very well in ratings for UPN, a sequel was never produced and The New Thrillenium remains the first and only episode to ever be produced, most likely due to the negative reception. Mesa Park would close the following year, holding its last monster truck race in December of 2000, but ended up being revived as a motocross track nearly 15 years later.
Trivia[]
- This event marked the official debut of the DuPont "ChromaLusion" Super Duty Bigfoot paint, run by Dan Runte.
- This event marked the only televised appearance of Pam Vahle following her divorce from Michael Vaters.
- Ironically, this was the first event to be officiated by ProMT, a sanctioning body best known for pure, technical monster truck racing.
- This event marked the only show for Scorpion, which was a repainted Sting.
- Gene Patterson bruised his shoulder after his violent crash in the semi-finals.
Gallery[]
