LOS ANGELES – Johnny Knoxville Head injuries are no stranger to him. In the decades since he rose to fame as the reckless ringleader of “Jackass,” he’s — as far as he knows — suffered more than a dozen concussions. But his youngest was different.
Now, on doctor’s orders, he must get creative to get the adrenaline rush through safer means. His latest attempt is with his Jackass Forever co-star Eric Andre and Oscar nominee Gabourey Sidibe about her new series, The Prank Panel, which premieres Sunday on ABC.
For the 52-year-old thrill-seeker stuntman, making his job tame enough to appear on network television was a major but necessary lifestyle change for the 52-year-old stuntman.
He suffered severe brain injuries after being rammed by a bull fourth and final “Jackass” film, which was released in 2022. That led to almost a year of depression and mental health issues – a turn of events that led him to swear off stunts for good, despite his love for them.
“I think I got a little addicted to it, to the point where I was racking my brains,” he said. “I can do little stunts where nobody cares if I break my hand or an ankle or whatever. I just can’t – no more concussions for me.”
Knoxville isn’t quite sure what’s so enjoyable about stunts — is it the attention people give it or the thrill of pulling it off?
“It’s complicated,” he said thoughtfully. “Being with everyone, with all my friends and, you know, it’s just a real moment. But don’t let me start romanticizing it.”
So “The Prank Panel” will have to do for now. It’s a kind of parody of reality competition shows where people appear and pitch prank ideas to the three hosts. When either Knoxville, Andre or Sidibe – dubbed the “world’s greatest pranksters” on the show – are convinced of the merits of the idea, the hopeful prankster receives money, resources and help from his sponsor to pull the prank on an unsuspecting victim .
Knoxville, who can be seen punching Andre between the legs in the trailer, said he was pleasantly surprised when his attempts to push boundaries on the network show reportedly met with little resistance.
“I wasn’t worried about being more buttoned up. You can beep and pick at my words when I’m really naughty. But I was just more worried about what might happen to us at ABC,” he recalls. “Looking back, we achieved a lot more than I thought possible.”
The show even endorsed a prank that led to Knoxville being sued by a handyman who said he faced “horrific ordeal” after being hired for a job listed on TaskRabbit. Knoxville’s publicist interjected when asked to elaborate, but not before jokingly asking, “What lawsuit?”
The art of pranks can take many forms and goals. There are some who have gained recognition for their social or political commentary – à la Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat” – or there are pranks designed to make the victim the champion: Think of the current cult series “Jury duty” which aimed to construct a hero’s journey for the one who was tricked.
But as Knoxville refined his theory of pranks over the years – an integral part of the “Jackass” franchise – his intentions crystallized into one simple desire: he just wants to shock.
“I’d rather confuse than anything else. I don’t want to make anyone look stupid,” he explained. “I just want to create a really bizarre situation where they’re like, ‘What’s going on?'”
That approach has in many ways made him and the rest of the “Jackass” stars immune to the grievances some comedians have voiced political correctness or cancel culture.
“Some might find it distasteful, others might find it excessive, but it’s not something that would really upset anyone,” he said. “But I know it’s a bit more difficult in other areas of comedy these days.”
In addition to recognizing that he must restrain himself from stunts and physical comedy, Knoxville said his experience with a long-term brain injury also made him aware of the importance of mental health in general, which he speaks openly about and hopes it will be the case it will help others.
“When you’ve been through it, it’s eye-opening,” he said. “Anyone out there suffering from depression or intrusive thoughts should be aware that their brain is literally playing tricks on them. And if you get the help of a psychiatrist or a doctor, you can change the situation.”
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