Nitro Circus

As regular MTV viewers know, Nitro Circus is just about one of the best shows on the air today. The death defying stunts performed by a variety of professional action sport athletes create an adrenaline rush that is guaranteed to keep audiences glued to their televisions. From bouts of laughter to gut wrenching injuries, this show has it all.
People who do not understand the genius that is “Nitro Circus” think the program is only another brainchild of “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville. They think it is simply a “show about male bonding via masochistic pranks;” but they are wrong. First of all, the clips chosen to make up the show are not so much pranks as carefully calculated feats of athleticism and daring designed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Secondly, all the people on the show have already proven themselves to be world class competitors, and do not need to prove their manhood by performing ludicrous dares like in “Jackass.” Also, Jolene, a pro motocross racer, adds a touch of estrogen to the group, keeping the idiocy in check, and the stunts amazing.
While awe-inspiring, the show makes no effort to glorify the daredevil lifestyle. During one episode filmed at the Grand Canyon “Travis Pastrana, one of the most decorated motorcyclists and action sports stars in the world,” added to “his many injuries” and “[blew] out [his] knee.” This of course, is bound to happen when you try to rodeo 720 into a giant yawning abyss, but that’s beside the point. Travis himself acknowledged that “as bad as [the trick] went, it couldn’t have gone any better;” he was still breathing. Show producer Johnny Knoxville admits that 12 episodes were filmed and there have “been about that many surgeries” too. In fact, they even had “three guys who went to the hospital in one day!” If broken pelvises and severed urethras are not your idea of fun, they show is pretty clear, stay off motorcycles! The same episode where Pastrana blew out his knee ended with a sad testament to the reckless lives these action sport idols live. The “closing credit line: “in loving memory” of Jeremy Lusk, a young rider who died performing a hazardous trick in competition” is a final punch line to viewers. The message is: if you try these stunts, you will get hurt; we are just the talented few who survive to ride again.
We can only draw one conclusion from watching these brilliant performers; “[they] are addicted to risk.” We, normal, average, sane individuals, will never have to choose between breaking our back or shattering our ankles when a trick goes wrong; we will also never get to feel the rush of jumping out of a plane without a parachute hoping that our friend will fly over to us in time to, literally, save our neck. Though I must admit, performing “an illegal base-jump off the palms” hotel in Los Vegas is, for lack of a better phrase, pretty damn cool, I will continue to enjoy my life with my feet firmly planted on solid ground.
Perhaps the reason that I love this show so much is my complete obsession with Travis Pastrana. To me, he is the epitome of a gifted athlete who is completely dedicated to his craft. He has endured more pain than most people can even imagine, but yet he still gets up everyday exited to ride a motorcycle, drive a rally car, or base-jump off some ridiculously tall structure. To action sport enthusiasts, and adrenaline junkies everywhere, this is a show for you. However, one does not need to be searching for a way to break as many bones as possible to enjoy this program. I would recommend everyone, from the teenage lunatic to the high school English teacher (yes I am talking to you!), check out this show. A link is posted below.

Link to Nitro Circus pas episodes
http://www.mtv.ca/tvshows/nitro-circus/

Link to articles
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/71205-nitro-circus/
http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/eblah/m-1234748828/

The nitro crew after side-jumping a taxi in an effort to role it as many times as possible...