So far, Margera's MTV shows defy the law of Gravity
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Skateboarder Bam Margera didn't reach the finals at the Gravity Games last week in Philadelphia, but writer Matt Higgins advises in The New York Times that he "was still the biggest attraction. . . .
"Margera, 27, is better known for his hit reality shows on MTV. He was a cast member of 'Jackass' and now has his own show, 'Viva La Bam,' in which he and a gang of miscreants pull stunts and abuse not only one another, but also Margera's parents and uncle."
How have you gone from being a pro skater to having your own show on MTV?
When I was 18 or 19 I made my own video called 'CKY.' . . . It was a mixture of 'Jackass' stunts and skateboarding. MTV saw the video. Then 'Jackass' happened, and that became a crazy, big hit. After 'Jackass: The Movie' came out, everybody e-mailed MTV and said I should have my own show.
How long have you been abusing your father?
I was always doing that. You know, hiding behind a door and as soon as Phil would open it up, I would just attack him. One day I decided to set up a video camera and do it. Everyone was like, 'That's so funny. You're really hitting him hard. You're not being jokey about it. You're really punching him in the stomach as hard as you can numerous amounts of time.'
Did you ever imagine your life would turn out to be a TV show?
I knew in high school that I wanted to be a professional skateboarder and have my own show on MTV. I quit high school the first day of 10th grade because I felt like I was wasting time. I was like, 'Dude, I could be in California working on getting my own show. Instead I'm sitting in Pennsylvania in some school, learning about Christopher Columbus and when he discovered America.' I don't need to know that if I want my own show. I need to know what's funny, and what's funny is me beating up Phil, and messing with my family and friends.
Try this trivia
Lance Alworth will become the second Chargers player to have his jersey number (19) retired, when San Diego plays host to the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 20. Who was the first?
That's the Spirit
T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times reports receiving the following e-mail from Clippers Spirit Dance Team director Jessie Christensen: "We're going to have something like 200 girls auditioning to be cheerleaders and we'd like you to be a judge and whittle that down to 40. We're going to ask you to look at each of these girls and see if you can picture them wearing a Clippers' Spirit uniform."
Simers: "I'm going to go home right now and practice with the wife."
Is he kidding?
Ron Artest, a legal Indiana Pacer again, tells reporters: "I'm a ghetto-type guy. I'll be ghetto for the rest of my life. But there's a lot of kids who look up to me. For that, I'll change."
Initial concern
Then there's The Washington Times' Dan Daly, who asks: "L.A., I'm convinced, could be a potential minefield for Kwame Brown. What happens, for instance, if he mistakenly uses one of Kobe Bryant's monogrammed towels?"
Trivia answer
The Chargers retired the No. 14 of former Oregon quarterback Dan Fouts in 1988.
Double talk
"Retired" Martina Hingis explains why she's playing World Team Tennis: "I was always a better team player. I enjoy (doubles) more. You have somebody to talk to on the court."
The Light Side is edited by Bob Lochner: 503-412-7013; boblochner@news.oregonian.com
Skateboarder Bam Margera didn't reach the finals at the Gravity Games last week in Philadelphia, but writer Matt Higgins advises in The New York Times that he "was still the biggest attraction. . . .
"Margera, 27, is better known for his hit reality shows on MTV. He was a cast member of 'Jackass' and now has his own show, 'Viva La Bam,' in which he and a gang of miscreants pull stunts and abuse not only one another, but also Margera's parents and uncle."
How have you gone from being a pro skater to having your own show on MTV?
When I was 18 or 19 I made my own video called 'CKY.' . . . It was a mixture of 'Jackass' stunts and skateboarding. MTV saw the video. Then 'Jackass' happened, and that became a crazy, big hit. After 'Jackass: The Movie' came out, everybody e-mailed MTV and said I should have my own show.
How long have you been abusing your father?
I was always doing that. You know, hiding behind a door and as soon as Phil would open it up, I would just attack him. One day I decided to set up a video camera and do it. Everyone was like, 'That's so funny. You're really hitting him hard. You're not being jokey about it. You're really punching him in the stomach as hard as you can numerous amounts of time.'
Did you ever imagine your life would turn out to be a TV show?
I knew in high school that I wanted to be a professional skateboarder and have my own show on MTV. I quit high school the first day of 10th grade because I felt like I was wasting time. I was like, 'Dude, I could be in California working on getting my own show. Instead I'm sitting in Pennsylvania in some school, learning about Christopher Columbus and when he discovered America.' I don't need to know that if I want my own show. I need to know what's funny, and what's funny is me beating up Phil, and messing with my family and friends.
Try this trivia
Lance Alworth will become the second Chargers player to have his jersey number (19) retired, when San Diego plays host to the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 20. Who was the first?
That's the Spirit
T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times reports receiving the following e-mail from Clippers Spirit Dance Team director Jessie Christensen: "We're going to have something like 200 girls auditioning to be cheerleaders and we'd like you to be a judge and whittle that down to 40. We're going to ask you to look at each of these girls and see if you can picture them wearing a Clippers' Spirit uniform."
Simers: "I'm going to go home right now and practice with the wife."
Is he kidding?
Ron Artest, a legal Indiana Pacer again, tells reporters: "I'm a ghetto-type guy. I'll be ghetto for the rest of my life. But there's a lot of kids who look up to me. For that, I'll change."
Initial concern
Then there's The Washington Times' Dan Daly, who asks: "L.A., I'm convinced, could be a potential minefield for Kwame Brown. What happens, for instance, if he mistakenly uses one of Kobe Bryant's monogrammed towels?"
Trivia answer
The Chargers retired the No. 14 of former Oregon quarterback Dan Fouts in 1988.
Double talk
"Retired" Martina Hingis explains why she's playing World Team Tennis: "I was always a better team player. I enjoy (doubles) more. You have somebody to talk to on the court."
The Light Side is edited by Bob Lochner: 503-412-7013; boblochner@news.oregonian.com
posted by Scott Fish at 10:15 AM
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