Sunday, October 14, 2007
Funny Violence Isn't Funny
When most people think of violence, they think of abuse, crime, blood and guts, etc. When shown by the media, especially when the violence is real (not scripted), this violence is meant to raise fear and call for emotional appeal.
And then there is Jackass. This MTV show is an adolescent boy's dream. Check out the show's web site at http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/jackass/series.jhtml. The most prominently displayed blurb is the following disclaimer: "Warning: MTV's hit show Jackass featured silly pranks, absurd antics and idiotic stunts performed by total jackasses. Leading the sick and twisted pack of sadomasochists was Johnny Knoxville, who probably broke just about every bone in his body during Jackass's three seasons. His motto most definitely should have been: 'Don't try this at home, kids.'"
The problem is hormonal boys probably watch the show and think "Man, I totally want to try that at home!" Segment after segment, Johnny Knoxville and his friends perform dangerous stunt after dangerous stunt and come away relatively unscathed considering the risk involved. They do things like taunt alligators and throw pool balls at each other's crotches for laughs--and hospital visits.
It's not funny. It's stupid. And the message it gives out to kids that don't have a grip on reality is that they could act like the Jackass cast, somehow manage not to die or get severely injured and people would think they're cool. After all, people watch the show, right?
Violence deemed as humor or entertainment is still violence. Yes, the show does post a disclaimer before every episode. Yes, the creators of the show call the antics "stunts," which supposedly takes away the violence implication. And not all of the segments are physically harmful. Running through a public place naked, for example, isn't necessary physically detrimental. It could, however, lead to serious legal consequences.
Still, a majority of the memorable content from the show could be considered physically destructive. Violence comes in many forms--and Jackass has displayed more than we could possibly count. ¶ posted by Claire at 10:03 PM •
And then there is Jackass. This MTV show is an adolescent boy's dream. Check out the show's web site at http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/jackass/series.jhtml. The most prominently displayed blurb is the following disclaimer: "Warning: MTV's hit show Jackass featured silly pranks, absurd antics and idiotic stunts performed by total jackasses. Leading the sick and twisted pack of sadomasochists was Johnny Knoxville, who probably broke just about every bone in his body during Jackass's three seasons. His motto most definitely should have been: 'Don't try this at home, kids.'"
The problem is hormonal boys probably watch the show and think "Man, I totally want to try that at home!" Segment after segment, Johnny Knoxville and his friends perform dangerous stunt after dangerous stunt and come away relatively unscathed considering the risk involved. They do things like taunt alligators and throw pool balls at each other's crotches for laughs--and hospital visits.
It's not funny. It's stupid. And the message it gives out to kids that don't have a grip on reality is that they could act like the Jackass cast, somehow manage not to die or get severely injured and people would think they're cool. After all, people watch the show, right?
Violence deemed as humor or entertainment is still violence. Yes, the show does post a disclaimer before every episode. Yes, the creators of the show call the antics "stunts," which supposedly takes away the violence implication. And not all of the segments are physically harmful. Running through a public place naked, for example, isn't necessary physically detrimental. It could, however, lead to serious legal consequences.
Still, a majority of the memorable content from the show could be considered physically destructive. Violence comes in many forms--and Jackass has displayed more than we could possibly count. ¶ posted by Claire at 10:03 PM •