MTV's Jackass

This is an excerpt from an article on collegeclub.com.  I posted some of my comments at the bottom.

If you ever tune into an episode of MTV's "Jackass," you'll see a disclaimer at the beginning of the program and following commercial breaks urging viewers not to attempt the show's stunts at home. A similar warning runs on the "Jackass" website saying, "Jackass features stunts performed by professionals and/or total idiots. In either case, MTV insists that neither you or any of your dumb little buddies attempt the dangerous crap in this show."

Unfortunately, the disclaimers were not enough to persuade 13-year-old Jason Lind from having his legs doused with gasoline and set ablaze by a friend. The Connecticut youth is now in the hospital with second-and-third-degree burns and is listed in critical but stable condition. The friend, unidentified by police because of his juvenile status, was charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree for the incident.

The two boys, along with another friend who merely watched the act, were apparently trying to mimic a stunt on a recent episode of "Jackass." During the show, host Johnny Knoxville donned a fire-resistant suit with steaks attached and then laid on a grill to allow the meat to cook.

Eric Lind, the father of the injured boy, reportedly holds the show partly responsible and shared a phone call with Senator Joseph Lieberman, the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate in last year's election. Lieberman has been a critic of the content on television, and released a statement in regards to the incident which said, "It is irresponsible for MTV to air these kinds of stunts on a program clearly popular with young teens, to air it at a time when many of them are likely to be watching and to do so without adequate warnings. I recognize the program is rated for adults and comes with general disclaimers, but there are some things that are so potentially dangerous and inciting, particularly to vulnerable children, that they simply should not be put on TV." 

MTV countered with a statement of their own saying, "Our thoughts are with the young man and his family and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. It is made extremely clear throughout the show, through the use of written and verbal warnings, that none of the stunts featured should be tried at home. The show airs with a TV-MA rating and warnings throughout..."

What do you think? Should MTV be held accountable for the injuries sustained by the victim? Are warnings enough to persuade young viewers not to attempt dangerous acts at home? 


Who is to blame?

I don't blame MTV. My blame goes to the parents and to the child. If you are 13 years old, you should know not to set your legs on fire. Sounds to me that the kid is really the Jackass!!!  The parents should take some responsibly.  Maybe they should watch more closely what the child watches on TV.  I know parents can't watch their kid every second.  So maybe they should have taught their kid that fire burns.  I know I learned that as a toddler.  By the way, when this kid goes back to school, maybe he should ride the short bus.

Adam Bickle - infohip.com founder

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