Cover your…and hold on to your…
Yes, MTV is turning its air over to Johnny Knoxville and his Jackass troupe for 24 hours this week.
The stunt -- and the attendant stunts by the likes of Bam Margera, Steve-O and Chris Pontius -- commences at noon on Saturday Feb. 23 and continues through the same time the following day.
The programming ploy, inspiring some trepidation from MTV executives, comes in support of the official launch of Jackassworld.com, which offers a slate of absurd Web-based fare. Since its soft launch earlier this year, the site, a joint venture between MTV and Dickhouse Productions, had recorded 2.6 million streams of online theatrical Jackass 2.5, according to executives.
“What better way to celebrate the artistic and cultural merits of the Jackass crew than to develop a new site dedicated to their hilarious and cringe-inducing antics in a way that's never been done before,” said Courtney Holt, executive vice president of digital music and media for MTV Networks' Music & Logo Group, in a statement. “Jackassworld.com unites legions of jackasses worldwide in an awe-inspiring community where they can relive their favorite moments from the franchise and stumble upon original and surprising new features added daily.”
As for the on-air marathon, viewers, in addition to in-studio antics, can expect to see Knoxville, working in conjunction with BMX legend Mat Hoffman and some of the best stunt riders in the world, in an homage to the late Evel Knievel. A few of the guys going for broke in the spirit of the world-famous daredevil: Travis Pastrana, Scott Palmer, Allen Cooke, Davin “Psycho” Halford, Trigger Gumm, Jeff “Harley” Schneider, and Midget Mike.
During the 24-hour stunt, behind-the-scenes footage and highlights also will be posted in real-time to the site. Viewers can get in on the action by submitting video questions to the cast and crew through Jackassworld.com and potentially dictate what happens on-air. The best-of-the-worst ideas via text messaging may also make to the TV screen.
“I just heard they are bringing a ‘box of stuff that sucks.’ Who knows what else they will bring,” said MTV executive vice president of series development and programming Tony DiSanto in a statement. “I'm not going to ask, but it will definitely be can't miss TV since literally anything can and will happen.”
