MTV Denies Blame for Copycat Injuries

April 26, 2001 -- MTV's hit show Jackass is being blamed for more amateur stunts gone awry, but the music network says it's not responsible for young people who harm themselves trying to emulate daredevil host Johnny Knoxville.

On Sunday, a 19-year-old man from Minnesota told authorities that his decision to don a hospital gown and surge into traffic while waving a chainsaw was inspired by Jackass, an hour-long program filled with goofy and often vulgar pranks.

Monday, a group of Kentucky teens allegedly hoping to get on the show filmed their friend being hit by a car. The so-called stuntman was sent to the hospital with a broken leg, while his pals landed in juvenile detention.

Earlier this year, two other teens were severely burned when they attempted to re-create Knoxville's "human barbecue" trick, dousing themselves with flammable liquid and lighting their clothes on fire.

MTV officials refuse to take the heat for the rash of recent Jackass-related accidents. "There has never been a segment on MTV's Jackass like the one that occurred in Independence, Ky.," a statement from MTV officials read. "MTV takes great care to air all of its programming in a responsible manner. Jackass specifically states in every episode, as well as on the mtv.com Web site, that no tapes from members of the public will be accepted for consideration to air on the show."

An attorney from the Kentucky county where the recent accident occurred says MTV is "morally culpable" for Jackass, disclaimer or no disclaimer.

"We're taking this very seriously and we're taking a closer look at the show, but we haven't made any decisions," network spokeswoman Jeannie Kedas told The Associated Press.