In 1996, Johnny had the idea of a skit later known as 'Self Defense' which would involve him being sprayed with Red-Pepper Spray, getting shocked with a Stun Gun, and also got shot with a tazor gun.
He pitched the idea to a few magazines but they turned it down, and then in 1997 he told jeff Tremaine (editor of 'Big Brother') who hired him as a journalist.
Jeff convinced Johnny to film the stunt along with others and they became part of the 'Big Brother' videos.
Johnny became a cult hit and there was a war between 'Comedy Central' and 'MTV' to land him a TV show. He was offered a slot on 'Saturday Night Live' but turned it down and that's when Jeff Tremaine, Spike Jonze, and himself got together and pitched the idea of 'Jackass' to 'MTV'..............................
it would combine part of 'Big Brother' crew, with the East-coast 'CKY' crew (skateboarding pranksters Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn and Brandon DiCamillo.)
'MTV' jumped at the unique idea and along with the other members of the show, 'Jackass' has become one of the highest rated shows on cable!!
