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Park People
To say that Bob
Masterson is the
modern version of the
adventurous Robert
Ripley would be an
understatement, writes
Jim Seay of Premier
Rides. Here he shares his
recollections of a
memorable night out
with the Ripley
Entertainment chief and
outgoing IAAPA
chairman
Left to right: Jim Seay, Carmen
Electra and Bob Masterson at
the opening night of Ripley’s
Times Square Odditorium
I
can’t think of a single time when I have been with man who immediately threaded a coiled wire through
Bob that he wasn’t either coming from or heading to his nose and out his mouth, the woman who swallows
some exotic locale such as Lassa, Tibet or a maraschino cherry and then sticks a sword down her
Cambodia. He is one of the few people I have met that throat to pull it out, the woman with the 3ft-long
is not only worldly but who also knows so many people fingernails, the man with hair all over his body, and a
around the world on a personal level. cast of others.
What impresses me more is that beyond the high Theme parks may have people running around in
profile people such as politicians and mega-million hundred degree heat wearing costumes pretending to
dollar entrepreneurs, Bob also knows so many other be cartoon characters but Ripley’s has the real deal
strata of people. When I was heading to Singapore and that night they were the All Stars.
one time, Bob gave me names of a few restaurants The ribbon cutting looked like Fort Knox with security
and even waiters and menu suggestions. Take his forming a gauntlet. I was pressed to the background
recommendations seriously. I have asked for a specific when that all so familiar booming voice of Bob
waiter at a small exotic restaurant at some far off punctuated the raucous New York City street noise with
corner of the world and the moment I mentioned Bob’s “Jim get over here – let’m through” and I was “in” just
name his face lit up and for the rest of the night I was like that standing with Ripley regulars Bob, his wife Phi,
treated like royalty. Jim Pattison Jnr and Tim O’Brien. I have to say Ripley’s
He is the greatest of hosts and works tirelessly to is a company that knows how to really enjoy and share
ensure everyone around him is having the best time its accomplishments with those in its sphere of business.
possible. If you are out with Bob, you had better plan One by one the stars approached Bob, their hero,
on a late evening, but if you have a meeting with him and congratulated him on a successful opening. If you
the next morning, don’t be late. He has a reputation of can imagine the scene of black ties, thousand dollar
always starting meetings at the exact time planned (or Versace gowns and Bob’s cast of characters, it was
earlier). quite the site. Bob had pulled off quite a feat. He’d
Last year, I had the privilege of being invited to the brought together high society and what was once
opening of Ripley’s Times Square Odditorium. I can’t called in a politically incorrect manner “the freak
with
think of a more perfect place than Manhattan to open show” and put them all on the same level. I don’t
an attraction that has boasts so many oddities and know anyone else who could have done that and I felt
unbelievable collectables. It’s a natural! special being part of the event. I remember at one
The scene was something of a cross between the point looking to my left and toasting my Bud Light with
out
Oscars (which I have also had the good fortune to industry regular John Shawn and then turning to my
attend) and The Night of the Living Dead. I strolled left and doing the same with the “wolf” boy.
down the red carpet much to the annoyance of the Now rumour has it that Bob and I, after a “few”
scores of photographers who all stared blankly at me beverages, danced the night away with the conjoined
and were thinking ”who is he and why doesn’t he move twins. Well, to be honest I am not sure if that
along faster?” when suddenly the cameras starting happened but it wouldn’t have surprised me although
night
flashing frantically and people cheered as “one” of the it would have been tough as one of the twins is
stars of the night appeared – the conjoined female distinctly shorter than the other. Come to think of it
A BOB MASTERSON
twins. though Bob wouldn’t have wasted a second to
One after another, the real heroes arrived. The lizard command a chair or stool to “even things out” and get
44 NOVEMBER 2008
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