MTV Stands Behind Jackass
By Linda Moss -- Multichannel News, 2/2/2001 8:59:00 AM MT
Despite pressure from Washington, MTV: Music Television has no plans so far to either cancel or censor controversial show Jackass, which was blamed for causing a copycat incident that left a teen with severe burns.
Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) condemned MTV Monday for running a Jackass segment that was the inspiration for a 13-year-old Torrington, Conn., youth to have gasoline poured on his legs, then set on fire. The teen, Jason Lind, was imitating a fiery stunt that was recently performed by Johnny Knoxville on Jackass.
Despite the protests from Lieberman, MTV is forging ahead with a second season of the show, which is one of basic cable's highest-rated entertainment series, according to a network spokeswoman.
'We have a new season [of Jackass] coming up,' she said. 'It launches Feb. 18.' She added that the batch of 16 new episodes will still air at 9 p.m. Sundays, the show's current time slot.
MTV will continue to review each episode of Jackass that airs, as it does with all of its shows, but there is no plan to tone the series down, the spokeswoman said.
'We're going to look at them and make sure they're good to air,' she added. 'We do that for everything.'
In his statement, Lieberman said Lind's father had contacted him, and he planned to intervene on the Linds' behalf with MTV's parent, Viacom Inc. Viacom officials couldn't be reached for comment.
'It is irresponsible for MTV to air these kinds of stunts on a program clearly popular with young teens and to air it at a time when many of them are likely to be watching,' Lieberman said. 'MTV is an enormously influential force in the world our children inhabit, and with that power and the right to exercise it comes a certain level of responsibility.'
MTV issued its own statement, wishing Lind 'a full and speedy recovery.' But the network disavowed responsibility for his actions by pointing out that it runs various disclaimers on Jackass warning viewers not to mimic its antics.
'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,' MTV said. 'The show airs with a TVMA rating.'
The on-air warnings state: 'The following show features stunts performed by professionals and/or total idiots under very strict control and supervision. MTV and the producers insist that neither you nor anyone else attempt to recreate or perform anything you have seen on this show.'
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