OFF THE WIRE
The absurd, existential, mind experiment called The Devils Ride will return for a six episode season on Monday, February 3 at 10 p.m.
This is the third season the show has aired on Discovery. It was originally promoted as “a real life Sons of Anarchy.” It featured a family friendly, three piece patch club in San Diego called the Laffing Devils.
The show is produced by Bischoff Hervey Entertainment Television,
LLC. One of the company’s founders, Eric Bischoff, is the author of a
book titled Controversy Creates Cash and that succinct philosophy seems to explain most of what will appear in the third season.
The marketing strategy for this production has always been to stubbornly claim that The Devils Ride
is a look inside the secret world of outlaws. The Laffing Devils are
dramatically opposed by something called the Sinister Mob Syndicate
Motorcycle Club. Both clubs and all their indicia are the
intellectual property of Bischoff Hervey. Neither is actually a
motorcycle club as the term is understood by anyone who has ever had a
conversation with a real, live Hells Angel, Mongol, Vago, Bandido, Son,
Pagan, Warlock or Outlaw.
Episode One
The February 3 episode is titled “The Ultimatum.” According to Discovery,
“A rivalry between two San Diego motorcycle clubs – Sin Mob and the
Laffing Devils – led to chaos on the streets and attracted the attention
of some dangerous players in the MC world. When armed thugs strip the
two club presidents of their cuts, the clubs look for answers and brace
for conflict.” Presumably, the show will dramatize the patch pulling. As
a matter of fact, before it became a wholly owned subsidiary of
Bischoff Hervey, the Laffing Devils MC was a member of the San Diego
Confederation of Clubs. The club was expelled after it was featured on
this television show.
The official synopsis continues: “The Laffing Devils club prez Danny
Boy re-enlists Sandman, who’s out on bail, awaiting trial for an
attempted murder charge. Despite his delicate legal status, Sandman
seizes the office of Sgt-At-Arms.” The “Sandman” character is portrayed
by amateur actor Robert Johnston. In December 2012 Johnston was arrested
after breaking into his estranged wife Melissa’s home and stabbing a
man sitting on her couch multiple times in the back. Johnston (photo
above) pled not guilty last April to charges of attempted murder,
burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and making a criminal threat.
Viewers of the February 3 episode will also watch, “Danny Boy risk
mixing blood and business when he takes in his nephew as the newest
prospect. Meanwhile Sin Mob regroups under club prez Rockem, but VP
Bubba has doubts about the violent direction the club is taking. Both
clubs head to a car show and there they get a message from one of the
most legendary one-percent clubs in the world. It’s a brutal ultimatum:
there can be only one red and gray club in San Diego, and if the Devils
and Sin Mob don’t settle it they’ll both be wiped out.”
There’s More
In subsequent episodes, the two ersatz clubs will react “to an
ultimatum from one of the most legendary motorcycle clubs.” The Laffing
Devils will be shown throwing a party to raise funds for Johnston’s
defense. The Laffing Devils and the Sinister Mob Syndicate will have a
showdown in the desert. Then they will “face a possible rat within their
ranks, and may be walking into a trap as they move forward with a plan
to take out their rival club once and for all.”
This nonsense will continue until about 11 p.m. Pacific on March 10.
If the real world has been too much with you recently and this is your
drug of choice, enjoy.
