Johnny Knoxville Calls Jackass "Pretty Gay"

With the release of "Jackass: One More to Go," Johnny Knoxville and his team are celebrating what they claim is their final major stunt extravaganza. In a candid interview, Knoxville surprisingly emphasized the queer origins and humor of the infamous film series—a self-identification that is underscored not only by the crew's recent appearance at the Pride parade but also by the radical physical comedy featured in the new film.

Key Highlights

• "Jackass: One More to Go" has recently premiered in theaters worldwide.
• Johnny Knoxville (55) explicitly stated that the series is "pretty gay."
• The crew was invited to perform at the Pride parade in West Hollywood.
• New stunts include a prostate exam conducted by a robot and risky genital shocks.

Queer Physical Comedy on Screen

In the latest installment, Knoxville and his collaborators present a mix of new stunts and archival footage. Among the standout scenes is Steve-O undergoing a prostate examination by the robot urologist Larry in front of the camera. Additionally, newcomer Poopies balances on a beam while his genitals are wired to a shock collar. These outrageous and explicit performances intentionally poke fun at the boundaries of traditional masculinity.

The crew's participation in this year's Pride parade in West Hollywood demonstrates how the "Jackass" creators see themselves as part of queer pop culture. Knoxville expressed his excitement about the invitation, describing it as a recognition after over two decades of controversial physical comedy.

What Makes Jackass "Pretty Gay"

In a background interview with Esquire, Johnny Knoxville acknowledged that the recurring nudity of the crew is not merely youthful provocation. According to Knoxville, being naked is simply "funnier," and the moments that arise from this often carry queer subtexts. Back in 2010, he stated that "Jackass is a Pride parade in 3D, where it’s all about the splashing." Knoxville humorously noted that the aim is to "humanely tackle homophobia."

Notably, despite his heterosexual background, Knoxville has actively sought connections within the queer media scene. His failed attempt to appear on the cover of the gay bear magazine "American Grizzly" evokes a nostalgic memory of a less charged pop culture discourse. Knoxville recounted how his friend John Waters advised him against continuing to "bother" the magazine about the cover.

"John Waters didn’t want me to keep pestering 'American Grizzly' about getting on the cover. So I let it go," Knoxville laughed.

Cinema Between Self-Irony and Statement

The timing of "Jackass: One More to Go" and its embrace of queer symbols and humor is no coincidence. The crew is taking a step further than many Hollywood stars of their generation. Johnny Knoxville stands out with his relaxed, empathetic approach, using even the most daring stunts to parody gender roles and adolescent machismo.

Whether the "Jackass" series will truly conclude with this installment remains uncertain. What is clear is that the awareness of queer satire and physical daring in pop culture has reached a new level.