I have been watching the Jack Ass collection since yesterday. It features a bunch of adventure sports-types pulling stunts and pranks designed to provoke outrage either because of the danger involved or because they are disgusting. The cast members not performing the stunt chortle with laughter when the person performing the stunt is doubled over in pain or retching their guts out. So, why do I enjoy such mindless TV?
Firstly, their talent, their willingness to put their bodies through excruciating pain and court the possibility of life-changing injuries or death is not be scoffed at. These are special people and what they do could be considered an art form. Secondly, with a world that increasingly resembles a dystopian hellscape, mindless TV has its own charm. Jack-ass kind of entertainment appeals to something primitive in us. The urge to laugh when someone falls or gets kicked in the nuts. Importantly, there is no hint of guilt because the people undergoing the pain have a high degree of pain tolerance and get paid millions to perform the stunts and pranks. Also, the fact that a clip made it to film means that the person involved didn't die or was maimed. That said, there are certain pranks that are too disgusting to watch. As an aside, it is amazing how big a role the mind plays in a retching response.
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