(LOS ANGELES) – Johnny Knoxville is no stranger to concussions. He has endured more than a dozen concussions in the decades since he rose to stardom as the reckless ringleader of “Jackass,” that he is aware of. But his most recent one was unique.
Now, on doctor’s orders, he has to get inventive to obtain his adrenaline fix more safely. His most recent try is with “Jackass Forever” co-star Eric Andre and Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe on their new ABC comedy, “The Prank Panel,” which starts on Sunday.
Doing work suitable for network television has been a significant but essential lifestyle change for the 52-year-old thrill-seeking stuntman.
After being rammed by a bull for the fourth and final “Jackass” film, released in 2022, he sustained catastrophic brain injuries. This resulted in over a year of sadness and mental health issues, forcing him to permanently abstain from such exploits, despite his enthusiasm for them.
“I think I got a little addicted to it, to the point where, you know, it scrambled my brains,” he admitted. “I can do little stunts where, if I break a hand or an ankle or whatever, no one cares.” I cannot do it – no more concussions for me.”
Knoxville isn’t sure what stunts make him so happy — is it the attention he receives or the excitement of pulling it off?
“It’s complicated,” he reflected. “Being with everyone and all my friends around is just a real moment.” But don’t make me romanticize it.”
So, for now, “The Prank Panel” will have to suffice. It’s a satire on reality competition shows in which people come on and submit prank ideas to the three hosts. Suppose Knoxville, Andre, or Sidibe — touted on the show as the “world’s greatest pranksters” — is satisfied with the idea’s viability. In that case, the hopeful prankster will receive money, resources, and assistance from their sponsor to carry off the caper on an unsuspecting victim.
Johnny Knoxville is no stranger to concussions.
Knoxville, who is shown slapping Andre between the legs in the teaser, stated that he was pleasantly surprised when his attempts to push limits on the network show were received with allegedly little pushback.
“I wasn’t concerned about becoming more formal. When I’m being particularly wicked, they can beep my words and cut around. But I was more worried with what we could get away with on ABC,” he explained. “In retrospect, we got away with a lot more than I thought we could.”
The show even approved of a prank that led to Knoxville being sued by a handyman who claimed he was subjected to a “terrifying ordeal” after being hired for a TaskRabbit assignment. Knoxville’s spokesperson interjected when pushed to elaborate, but not before humorously asking, “Which lawsuit?”
The art of the prank can take numerous shapes and goals. Some have gained notoriety for their social or political comments — such as Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat” — while others are pranks designed to make the victim it’s champion: Consider the recent cult series “Jury Duty,” which attempted to create a hero’s journey for the person being duped.
But, as Knoxville perfected his pranking theory over the years — a crucial component of the “Jackass” franchise — his aims crystallized into a simple aspiration: he wants to be startling.
“I enjoy perplexing people more than anything else.” “I don’t want to appear stupid,” he explained. “I just want to create a really bizarre situation where they’re like, ‘What is happening?'”
Johnny Knoxville is no stranger to concussions.
That approach has rendered him and the rest of the “Jackass” cast immune to the criticisms leveled by certain comedians about political correctness or cancel culture.
“Some may find it distasteful, and some may find it offensive, but it’s not like it’s going to truly offend anyone,” he remarked. “But I know it’s a little dicier in other areas of comedy these days.”
In addition to realizing he has to limit his stunts and physical humor, Knoxville said his experience with long-term brain damage has made him more conscious of the importance of mental health, which he is open about in the hopes of helping others.
“Having gone through it opens your eyes,” he explained. “Anyone suffering from depression or intrusive thoughts should know that their brain is playing tricks on them.” And if you seek the assistance of a psychiatrist or a doctor, you can turn things around.”
SOURCE – (AP)
