Jack Ass sues over Jackass TV Show

[Guest papacita]

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Jack Ass says "Jackass" has given him a bad name.

 

A Montana man who legally changed his name to "Jack Ass" in 1997 has sued media giant Viacom Inc. , claiming its stunt-heavy, gross-out TV show and movie "Jackass" had defamed his character.

 

In a suit filed in November in Montana and posted this week on a legal Web site, Jack Ass, who said he changed his name to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, claimed Viacom was "liable for injury to my reputation that I have built and defamation of my character which I have worked so hard to create."

 

The suit asks for damages of $10 million or more. Jack Ass is representing himself.

 

Jack Ass, a journeyman power lineman by trade, said he changed his name from Bob Craft in late 1997 as part of a personal crusade against drunk driving after his brother and a friend were killed in a car crash. Theirs was the only vehicle involved.

 

A spokeswoman for Viacom referred calls on the suit to MTV Networks, its subsidiary which aired the "Jackass" show. A spokeswoman for MTV Networks said its policy was not to comment on pending litigation.

 

"Jackass," the show and movie, featured outrageous stunts and practical jokes. The show ran in 2000 and 2001 before it was canceled. The movie, which came out earlier this year, made more than $60 million at the U.S. box office.

 

Earlier this month a New Mexico teenager died in what police said was an attempt to imitate a stunt he saw in the film. In November, a Seattle teenager suffered serious burns trying to imitate another stunt from the show.

 

Jack Ass runs a Web site (www.andiass.com) centered around a donkey-like cartoon character "Andi Ass," which touts T-shirts, baseball caps, souvenir beer bottles and a message of responsible drinking.

 

He also runs a non-profit service that sells heart-shaped markers to be placed at the sites of fatal accidents involving drivers, power line workers and for use in memorializing dead pets.

 

"I really want to emphasize the importance of this work," he told Reuters.

 

Mmm-hmmm.

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

His name is Mr. Ass. He's honestly worried about defamation of character? Jackass isn't even really that financially well-off as a franchise to sue.

[Guest Anglesault]

Quick, when was the first time Road Dogg called Billy Gunn Mr. Ass? late 1997 sometime. Vince should sue.

[Guest IDrinkRatsMilk]

A person who changed his name to Jack Ass suing for defamation of character is, bar none, the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I'm just completely taken aback.

 

On an unrelated note, I've just noticed how Jackass is fairly similar to Fight Club. Not Fight Club the movie, Fight Club the club. Johnny Knoxville and Tyler Durden even dress the same.

[Guest BobBacklundRules]

Jack Ass, a journeyman power lineman by trade, said he changed his name from Bob Craft in late 1997 as part of a personal crusade against drunk driving after his brother and a friend were killed in a car crash. Theirs was the only vehicle involved.

 

Jack Ass runs a Web site (www.andiass.com) centered around a donkey-like cartoon character "Andi Ass," which touts T-shirts, baseball caps, souvenir beer bottles and a message of responsible drinking.

 

He also runs a non-profit service that sells heart-shaped markers to be placed at the sites of fatal accidents involving drivers, power line workers and for use in memorializing dead pets.

Ok so this guy's brother and friend are killed in a car accident so obviously the next step is to change his name to Jack Ass, sell souvenir beer bottles to promote responsible drinking, and sell heart shaped markers for dead pets. Well that's what I would do.

[Guest Eagan469]

More like "Dumb Ass"

 

www.andiass.com

 

How is ANYTHING on the above web site supposed to make you stop drinking? The guy means well I guess, but jeez...

[Guest Youth N Asia]

When you name yourself Jackass (yeah, I typed it one word) you've already defamed yourself.

 

I'm glad we live in a country where we can sue over anything...if I ever get a papercut from a Stephen King book I am going to kick his ass in court.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

Some one open up a dictionary and see if the picture next to stupid is Mr. Jack Ass.

[Guest RedJed]

Well if a picture says a thousand words......here is Mr. Jack Ass himself

 

 

 

 

This guy HAS to be seriously mentally ill or something, just check out that website (not to mention this lawsuit) and it's obvious. Not only is did he legally change his name to Jack Ass, but he portrays himself as a brother of a f'n cartoon character. Oh yeah and he makes some homebrew beer to "promote responsiblity." LOL

[Guest Nevermortal]

This is, without question, the stupidest news item I've read in a long time.

[Guest Youth N Asia]

This is, without question, the stupidest news item I've read in a long time.

Yeah, I have to put this a step higher then the "Gee, you mean McDonalds isn't healthy...I'd better sue" people

[Guest IDrinkRatsMilk]

After seeing those pictures, I'm starting to think maybe Jackass should sue him.

[Guest DrTom]

Defamation of character requires that the person bringing the suit have a character to defame. Changing one's name to "Jack Ass" and hawking a website full of tacky, mixed-message garbage isn't exactly the best way to do that.

 

Here's the best part of the story, IMO.

Jack Ass is representing himself.

I think we've all heard the maxim about he who defends himself? Never was it more true than in this self-serving sham of a lawsuit.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Maybe Mr. Ass got inspired by the World Wildlife Fund...

[Guest Ram]

What's with all these stupid ass lawsuits?

 

Shit, I'm going to find something to sue over. Better take advantage of the weaknesses of the judicial system before they fix it.

[Guest saturnmark4life]

I'm sueing everyone who bashes Andrew WK for emotional damages. £$£$£$£$£~%

[Guest dreamer420]

What a stupid fuck. I'm so sick of these lawsuits.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

Billy Gunn should sue this guy! He's the real Mr. Ass.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

Viacom's lawyers are going to get a piece of Ass.