Big Time Podcast: "Not All Fun and Games" Episode 13 Summary
Title: Not All Fun and Games
Episode Number: 13
Release Date: June 9, 2025
Host: Steve Buscemi
Produced by: Campside Media and Piece of Work Entertainment
Description: Fake kidnappings, elaborate robberies, and stolen sharks—Big Time delves into the audacious dreams of criminals. Hosted by Steve Buscemi, each episode unpacks grandiose scams and schemes that almost succeeded.
Introduction: Setting the Stage
Steve Buscemi opens the episode with a humorous take on arson and children's birthday parties, emphasizing fire safety and party etiquette. He quips about the necessity of fire extinguishers and the importance of reserving the first slice of cake for the birthday child, setting a light-hearted tone before delving into the darker subject matter.
Steve Buscemi [00:00]:
"Fake kidnappings. Elaborate robberies. Stolen sharks. Big Time is a show about criminals who dared to dream… differently."
The Rise of Arson in Melbourne’s Party Hire Industry
The narrative begins in the summer of 2016 in Melbourne, a region already prone to wildfires exacerbated by climate change. However, what stood out was the surge of arson attacks targeting local party hire businesses, specifically those renting out inflatable bounce houses.
Narrator [01:08]:
"In the summer of 2016, when arsonists began targeting businesses in the Melbourne suburbs, neighbors started paying attention."
Lorenzo [01:42]:
"Businesses in Tullamarine, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, and Caisborough were firebombed."
These attacks were meticulously planned, with the perpetrators often seen on surveillance footage as two masked men using Molotov cocktails to ignite the fires. The unusual pattern of targeting party rental companies raised immediate suspicions within the community.
Profiles of Key Players: Andrew Saliba and James Balcombe
Andrew Saliba
A middle-aged man who transitioned from a stable career in banking and finance to founding Extreme Party Hire around 2010. Saliba’s business thrived, becoming a family-run enterprise offering a wide array of party supplies, including the highly sought-after inflatable castles.
James Balcombe
A neighbor of Saliba, Balcombe’s appearance was unassuming—complete with coke bottle glasses and a mullet—but his ambitions were anything but ordinary. Inspired by Saliba’s success, Balcombe launched his own competitor, Awesome Party Hire, mirroring Saliba’s offerings but quickly adopting ruthless business tactics.
James Balcombe [13:26]:
"He told one business owner that he was just determined to be number one and didn't care what happened to anyone else. He was just ruthless."
Balcombe's competitive nature devolved into malicious intent as he sought to eliminate rivals through arson, leveraging hired hands to carry out his schemes.
Inside Awesome Party Hire: Employee Insights
Lorenzo, an anonymous former employee, provides an insider’s perspective on the questionable business practices at Awesome Party Hire.
Lorenzo [05:39]:
"He comes across a bit arrogant and a bit cocky, to be honest. Like he's all that in a bag of potato chips."
Working initially as a factory hand, Lorenzo observed Balcombe’s demands extending beyond typical party rental tasks, including unauthorized activities like digging fences and handling company finances under the table.
Lorenzo [06:43]:
"And you weren't allowed to affiliate his company or him... he would refuse to give you a letter stating that yes, you were employed by him."
Moreover, the company’s machinery was often faulty, leading to customer dissatisfaction and escalating Lorenzo’s concerns about Balcombe’s management style.
Lorenzo [07:13]:
"A lot of his machines and stuff were faulty... I got no idea."
Despite these red flags, Lorenzo stayed for six months before moving on to a legitimate, taxable job, reflecting the toxic yet functional environment within the company.
The Arson Spree Unfolds
Starting on December 19, 2016, arsonists launched a series of firebombings targeting multiple party hire businesses across Melbourne. Key incidents include:
-
CRP Tarps Incident [08:27]:
Two masked men attack CRP Tarps, a PVC textile company associated with jump house repairs, causing minor damages but signaling the start of a targeted campaign. -
Extreme Party Hire Assault [09:57]:
Andrew Saliba’s business endures multiple attacks, resulting in significant financial losses. Michael Andrew, owner of A&A Jumping Castles, reports damages up to $1.2 million, leaving him uninsured and devastated.
Michael Andrew [10:15]:
"We lost 1.2 million, counting everything inside. Everybody was worried because I was scared that they were going to be next."
- Awesome Party Hire’s Final Target [10:21]:
Balcombe’s own newly built warehouse is firebombed, ironically becoming a victim of his own schemes. The damage totals over $40,000, marking a critical turning point in the investigation.
Investigation and Unraveling the Scheme
Local police began piecing together the pattern, identifying the connections between different arson sites. Surveillance footage played a crucial role, revealing fingerprints on the Molotov cocktails that matched two men connected to Balcombe.
Adam Cooper [09:59]:
"That's Michael Andrew, owner of A&A Jumping Castles, speaking to local news."
The investigation unveiled that James Balcombe had orchestrated the attacks to eliminate competitors, enlisting individuals like Craig Anderson and Peter Smith to execute the arsons.
Lorenzo [13:56]:
"Party Hire had to be at the top of everything. Every market, every game. And if he wasn't at the top of it, he wasn't a happy person."
Balcombe’s aggressive tactics included sending hostile emails to rivals, undercutting competitors, and even cyber-attacks, showcasing a deep-seated paranoia and obsession with dominance in the industry.
The Downfall: Arrest and Sentencing
Balcombe’s intricate web of deceit began to unravel when his hired arsonists botched several attacks, leading to increased suspicion. An attempt to divert blame by instructing the arsonists to set fire to his own business backfired when the culprits confessed their involvement.
Craig Anderson [18:02]:
"A jumping castle baron is facing more time in jail over a string of arson attacks to eliminate his rivals."
Balcombe attempted to evade justice by faking a medical condition and absconded, leading to a prolonged manhunt that lasted a year and a half. He was eventually apprehended in Perth, living under an alias while continuing illicit activities, including counterfeit stamp production.
James Balcombe [20:22]:
"So he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of conspiracy to commit arson. He was jailed earlier this year for about 11 years."
The court condemned the severity of the crimes, emphasizing the widespread impact on innocent business owners and the community.
Michael Andrew [19:01]:
"You could have pulled back and stopped, but you did not. It impacted the lives and the livelihoods of others. It caused significant loss, suffering and emotional trauma."
Balcombe's meticulous yet flawed strategy ultimately led to his downfall, despite his attempts to mask his activities and motivations.
Aftermath and Reflections
Despite the attacks, Extreme Party Hire remains operational, a testament to Andrew Saliba’s resilience. Lorenzo has moved on to a peaceful life, distancing himself from the chaos of Awesome Party Hire. The episode concludes by reflecting on the irrationality of Balcombe’s actions, especially considering his direct involvement in building the very structures he later destroyed.
Lorenzo [21:59]:
"Has been on the run since December."
Lorenzo [22:16]:
"Yep. Yeah, 100%. Yep. It took us about three days to move everything. We would basically keep labor for him so he didn't have to do it himself."
The narrative underscores the profound consequences of unchecked ambition and the ripple effects of Balcombe’s criminal endeavors on the community and individuals involved.
Conclusion
"Not All Fun and Games" unveils a gripping tale of rivalry, desperation, and criminal ingenuity within Melbourne’s party hire industry. Through detailed storytelling and firsthand accounts, the episode highlights how personal vendettas can escalate into destructive actions affecting numerous lives and businesses. Steve Buscemi’s adept hosting, combined with insightful contributions from key figures like Lorenzo and Adam Cooper, offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of this intricate criminal saga.
Notable Quotes:
-
Steve Buscemi [00:00]:
"This is Big Time. An Apple original podcast from Piece of Work Entertainment and Campside Media in association with Olive Productions." -
Lorenzo [05:39]:
"I went in for my interview then he rocked up. Didn't really say much to me at all." -
James Balcombe [13:26]:
"He told one business owner that he was just determined to be number one and didn't care what happened to anyone else. He was just ruthless." -
Michael Andrew [10:15]:
"We lost 1.2 million, counting everything inside. Everybody was worried because I was scared that they were going to be next." -
James Balcombe [20:22]:
"So he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of conspiracy to commit arson. He was jailed earlier this year for about 11 years." -
Michael Andrew [19:01]:
"You could have pulled back and stopped, but you did not. It impacted the lives and the livelihoods of others. It caused significant loss, suffering and emotional trauma."
Production Credits:
- Reported and Produced by: Natalie Rovermed, Morgan Jaffe, and Lane Rose
- Story Editor: Audrey Quinn
- Showrunner and Managing Producer: Lane Rose
- Production Team: Amy Padula, Rajeev Gola, and Associate Producer Dania Abdelami
- Fact Checking: Mary Mathis
- Sound Design and Mixing: Shawnee Aviram
- Theme Written by: Nicholas Principe and Peter Silberman of Spatial Relations
- Production Help: Lisa Divisi
- Executive Producers: Josh Dean, Vanessa Gregoriadas, Adam Hoffman, and Match
Next Episode Teaser:
Steve Buscemi [22:40]:
"Next week on Big Time, the great disappearing act of Kevin McIver."
**Listen to "Big Time" on Apple Podcasts and follow for more enthralling stories of audacious criminal endeavors and the people who dared to dream big.