Jackass sues Jackass!

January 2, 2003 2:24 PM

Jackass sues Jackass! The jackass of the first part, who had his name legally changed to Jack Ass in order to raise awareness about drunken driving somehow, has sued Viacom, owners of MTV, proud presenters of Jackass, a show about grown men falling over things and drinking pee pee, for *ahem* defamation of character. Frivolous lawsuit at its finest, or should Mr. Ass check the dictionary?
posted by mikrophon (18 comments total)

They're all jackasses.
hahaha! ha! ha! what a hilarious story!
But seriously, this namechanging has got to stop. And well, its America, what would we be without a show like Jackass? The whole affair is hilarious (except for the show. not funny at all). No defamation of character going on here, the guy took care of all of that when he changed his name.
posted by ac at 2:34 PM on January 2, 2003

I don't know if any commentary is necessary.

I guess, it would be like if I changed my name to Bastard, and punched people in the nose when they called my name.
posted by cx at 2:35 PM on January 2, 2003

I, Amanda Huggenkiss, am outraged by the frivolous use of this fine mans name on national tv. Oh, wait, you mean this isn't a joke?
posted by blue_beetle at 2:36 PM on January 2, 2003

I'm still trying to figure out how changing one's name to an insulting slur is going to raise awareness about drunk driving and "responsible choices." I mean, there's some good logid fer ya.
posted by dnash at 2:37 PM on January 2, 2003

Man who changes name to call attention to himself initiates lawsuit to call more attention to himself. Film at 11.
posted by Shadowkeeper at 2:47 PM on January 2, 2003

You're a jackass for posting this :)
posted by Degaz at 3:06 PM on January 2, 2003

The name change may not discourage drunk driving, but $10 a bottle ought to do the trick. Hope the swill is at least better than Billy Beer.
posted by chipr at 3:10 PM on January 2, 2003

Perhaps he travels to schools as the "Jack Ass" who drunk and drove and suffered the consequences. Or perhaps he travels to lawyers because he realized he didn't make enough money doing the above...
posted by hoborg at 3:39 PM on January 2, 2003

Anybody who changes their name to Jack Ass deserves whatever they get. Except for a big fat settlement check.
posted by trbrts at 3:42 PM on January 2, 2003

The Smoking Gun has the lawsuit here.
posted by Vidiot at 4:08 PM on January 2, 2003

jack·ass  noun.
1. A male ass or donkey.
2. A foolish or stupid person; a blockhead: “You've acted like an irrational jackass and it's time you stopped” (Margaret Truman).

Best. Usage phrase. Ever.
posted by elwoodwiles at 4:21 PM on January 2, 2003

i hope viacom countersues and makes him change his name to something else since jack ass is making jackass look bad.
posted by birdherder at 4:22 PM on January 2, 2003

he's representing himself because no one else would do it. [obscure]
posted by dobbs at 5:09 PM on January 2, 2003

Maybe he should change his name to Yo MTV Raps.
posted by Foosnark at 5:24 PM on January 2, 2003

Maybe he's just bucking to get on the show if they start it up again.

I can think of no other reason for Mr. Ass to have wedged himself into this particular situation.
posted by chicobangs at 5:27 PM on January 2, 2003

There's plenty of guys named Jack Cass who have enough common sense than to sue everyone who uses the word "jackass". That guy lives up to his new name.
posted by Down10 at 6:11 PM on January 2, 2003

Know Your Schitt , a little extended geneology...
posted by a_green_man at 11:39 AM on January 3, 2003

I agree with elwoodwiles about the usage, but I think the best definition is found a little further down:

2. A conceited dolt; a perverse blockhead.
posted by mikrophon at 11:53 AM on January 3, 2003