CoasterRadio.com #638 - Coaster Commentary - Superman: Ultimate Flight (Video)

Among the many topics n this week's show, is the new roller coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Northern California... Superman: Ultimate Flight.

This is really one of the strangest and most interesting looking roller coasters that we've seen in the last decade.

As a bonus to this week's episode, Mike and EB watch video of the new coaster and comment on everything including the layout, restraints, theming and even the people the park chose to ride it on-camera!

It's the perfect complement to this week's regular show!

Bonus Video Podcast - Coaster Commentary! (Euro-Style!)

It's time for a Bonus Video Podcast!

This week, EB and Mike provide "DVD Commentary" while watching on-ride videos of two of Europe's most interesting roller coasters... "Hochschaubahn" at Wiener Prater in Vienna, Austria and "Hullámvasút" at Vidámpark in Budapest, Hungary.

CoasterRadio.com #545 - Video Podcast - Wiener Prater!

Last week, we ended our Fifth Season of Coaster Radio with a live broadcast from one of the most unique amusement parks on the planet, Wiener Prater in Vienna Austria.

But admittedly, radio can only do so much when you're describing the amazing roller coasters, thrill rides and other interesting attractions at this one of a kind park.

So, EB and Mike have produced a brand new video podcast (the first in five years!) to show you exactly what it's like at the Prater!

In a few weeks, the guys will return with a second video podcast about some of Europe's greatest roller coasters.

AND...don't forget that Season Six begins on Thursday, October 6th!

We can't unveil what will happen yet, but it will easily be one of the most talked about episodes EVER!

Are you ready for your closeup? I'm not.

I'm a television producer, so I live my life around video cameras.

In fact, I even spent part of my career performing on-camera. Yeah, that's me over there playing a "Doc Brown" ripoff for a kids science show on PBS.

So you'd think that because I'm a ham, I'd like the fact that parks are starting to add on-board video cameras to roller coasters.

Surprisingly, I don't like it at all. In fact, it creeps me out.

When I'm riding a roller coaster, it's the one time in life when I can lose all of my inhibitions and totally yell like a maniac. I have a really stressful job, so I see a roller coaster ride as therapy with a $49.95 admission fee. After a few laps on a roller coaster, my stress seems to melt away. I guess it's because I can yell and scream without anyone watching me.

But now, that's not necessarily the case.

Last summer, my brother Greg and I took a trip to an amusement park and we took a spin on one of our favorite inverted coasters. I had ridden it dozens of times before and was really looking forward to another ride.

But when I sat in the seat and pulled down my shoulder harness, I noticed a camera lens starting at me.

"What the hell is this?" I asked Greg, pointing at the electronic eye.

For some reason, I didn't like the fact that someone, somewhere would be able to watch me riding the coaster if they wanted. I'm sure they have privacy protocols in place, but what would stop a rogue employee from downloading a particularly embarrasing video and anonymously uploading it to YouTube?

Anyway, my ride on the invert just wasn't as liberating as in the past. I couldn't get over the fact that every yell, scream and occasional cuss word were being saved on a hard drive somewhere. But I guess I'll have to get used to it.

These days, video cameras are everywhere. Most times, you can't walk into a public place without a camera capturing your every move. So, why shouldn't it be any different on a thrill ride?

What do you guys think?

Join our discussion on this topic in the CoasterRadio.com forums.