Teen burned while imitating MTV stunt stunt show 

AP 29jan01

TORRINGTON, Conn. -- The father of a 13-year-old boy, hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns after mimicking an MTV personality who set himself on fire during a stunt show, blames the network for his son's injuries.

Jason Lind was severely burned Friday night when he and a friend poured gasoline on his feet and legs and lit him on fire while imitating a stunt on MTV's high-rated show ``Jackass,'' police said. The fire grew out of control and burned the boy's legs and hands before it was extinguished, officials said.

Jason remained hospitalized Monday in critical condition in the burn unit of Shriner's Hospital for Children in Boston.

``I don't want another parent to go through what I went through -- when you see your son laying on an emergency room table with his skin falling off, and he's apologizing to you,'' Eric Lind, the father, told WFSB-TV on Monday. ''

The MTV program also drew fire from Democratic Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an outspoken critic of media violence.

``MTV is an enormously influential force in the world our children inhabit, and with that power and the right to exercise it comes a certain level of responsibility,'' Lieberman said Monday. ``I intend to make clear to the network's owners that we expect more from them.''

Jason's 14-year-old friend was arrested Saturday and charged with reckless endangerment. Police would not identify the suspect because he is a juvenile. Another teen who looked on was not charged.

``Jackass'' features an array of pranks and stunts. In Friday's episode, show creator Johnny Knoxville donned a fire-resistant suit hung with steaks. He then lay across a makeshift barbecue while his cast mates shot lighter fluid onto the grill to fan the flames.

One of the teens said Jason volunteered to re-enact the stunt, which took place in one boy's back yard.

MTV spokeswoman Tina Exarhos said the show includes written and verbal disclaimers stating, ``The following show features stunts performed by professionals and/or total idiots under very strict control.'' The producers ``insist that neither you or anyone else attempt to recreate or perform anything you have seen,'' the warning says. Exarhos said the warning is repeated by Knoxville.