User Reviews

Many business school case studies have examined the epic failures of companies like Enron, Radio Shack, and Trump Entertainment Resorts. However, until now the tragic fall of southern California's most infamous Mystery Mansion-themed hotel has gone unexplored.

A sample weekend profiled on the indispensable show Saved By the Bell illustrated the fatal flaws in Knockwood proprietor Steven Jameson III's business model and is the primary basis for this investigation. Though some specific revenue and cost data from the "Mystery Weekend" is unavailable, one need not see the Manor's dusty ledgers in order to grasp the scope of the problem.

On the revenue side there are two teams of two guests that likely paid to participate in the Mystery, Team Battleaxe and Team Silent Judgment. The other six guests (radio contest winner Lisa Turtle and her +5) paid nothing. Based on an extensive analysis of published 1991 rack rates and all-inclusive dinner theater ticket prices, the high end total cost per couple was $200.00 ($380.05 in 2021 when adjusted for inflation). Therefore Knockwood Manor revenues for the weekend did not exceed $400.00.

Leaving aside the sunk costs of the mansion itself and its various mystery-themed furnishings and wardrobe, Knockwood incurred two main categories of expenses, labor and food/beverage. Assuming Jameson himself drew no salary (just there for the nonconsensual shoulder rubs, dinners, and drag opportunities), the following characters were visibly employed during the mystery portion of the weekend: Bartholomew the butler, Jeanette the maid, the piano player, the Inspector, and the two paramedics. In addition, there had to be at least one housekeeping employee (Jeanette ain't cleaning no toilets) and at least one cook to prepare meals for 10 people (also presumption that one of these employees controlled fake lightning and sudden blackout controls). With at least 6-8 employees working at some capacity during the weekend, labor costs (considering the 1991 California minimum wage of $4.25 per hour, $8.08 in 2021 dollars, hmm) would have been at least $136 per day even if you could find 6-8 employees willing to take a job where they can only work 4 hours per day at minimum wage, otherwise higher. For purposes of estimation we will go with $408 for a skeleton crew over one weekend.

By chance the contest winner and friends were underage, so beverage costs were reduced due to underage status (IDs used to get into The Attic notwithstanding). However the bar clearly had a large inventory, being prepared to serve not just cola but also ginger ale and a mango tonic with a kiwi twist. As to spoilage, the prime dinner of the weekend was dropped from the butler's silver tray as a sight gag, not cost effective at all. Presuming a 2 or 3 option entree menu, though, the food and beverage costs to the Manor were no more than $150.

Another concern for Knockwood was liability. Within moments of guest arrival one employee berates an elderly man and another emloyee pours an ice cold drink all over Jessie. Both Jeanette and Jameson also engage in questionable physical contact and proximity to minors, and the staff meets with underage Lisa alone to plan her faked disappearance (hopefully not Jameson by himself but no way to know off camera).

After adding in the $500 of prize money Jameson's Mystery Weekend revenue was $400 and expenses at least $1,058 without considering the average daily cost of maintaining a mansion. In retrospect the owner should have adopted a high level BnB model, for example renting to Dodgers or Lakers (think of how much could have been made serving as a the home to the A.C. Green orgies for example).

10/10 to the episode, 0/5 to the hotel.