CMT Gets "All Jacked Up"

CMT (That's Country Music Television for all you non-Crackers) has slowly been losing the "M"...much like its counterparts MTV and VH1, CMT has delved into cheesy reality and game shows.

"All Jacked Up" is neither. It's best described as "Redneck Extreme Sports". It's a slightly less retarded version of "Jackass" (the title comes from a Gretchen Wilson song). The host is C. Thomas Howell, who is a former child star trying to revitalize his career after the disappointing "Soul Man".

(He wears Blackface. Can't imagine why it was a failure)

But, to his credit, despite being born in LA, Howell is actually a child rodeo champion, and his father was a stunt double, which is sort of what this show is a cross between. Howell does everything from drive a tank, participate in a Combine Derby, and sit in a pit of rattlesnakes.

The series premiere also features Ostrich Racing:

Not Howell, but you get the idea.

The first observer might be quick to compare AJU with "Jackass". But while the latter is just a bunch of losers doing "stunts" in their own backyard, Howell is a professional working in a closely monitored environment. He also doesn't look like he's trying to maim himself on purpose. Just participating in activities that provide an adrenaline rush.

Howell's enthusiasm is catchy, and he appears to be sincere. Even if it's not "Music Television", AJU is solid fun. It airs Saturdays on CMT.

Read C. Thomas Howell's Blog