But if the question of who should be this generation's standout spokesperson for the truly weird, decadent, and off-the-wall should come up in most circles, that answer would more than likely be Steve-O. The seemingly crazed and mentally challenged Steve-O came to public attention on the MTV show "Jackass," which is currently under judicial review and was pressured to leave the air – and has generated a feature film that grossed $23 million in its first weekend of release.

Steve-O wasn't always Steve-O, though. He was born as Stephen Gilchrist Glover in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1974, making him surely old enough to know better. He attended Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in 1997 as one of the 33 applicants accepted from 2000. However, he wasn't one of the 10 who were accepted to the circus. He returned to Albuquerque and went back to skateboarding.

While specializing in stupid and dangerous skateboarding stunts, he started calling himself Steve-O and began an affiliation with "Big Brother Magazine" when he set his face on fire while Big Brother was touring Albuquerque. Two years later, Steve-O was in Florida and worked as an entertainer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. The Hanneford Family Circus later hired him as a clown.

Still affiliated with "Big Brother Magazine," Steve-O filmed a small part in the movie "Boob" that he later parlayed into the "Jackass" gig. Even with all the wild antics and unbelievable stunts "Jackass" proved capable of, Steve-O still found stunts that couldn't be shown on television. In true rebel fashion, Steve-O gathered the footage himself and made his own DVD. "Don't Try This At Home" is a serious title for a serious DVD. Few people, after seeing the DVD, would want to try Steve-O's stunts, but the few that would need to be cautioned for their own good. Of course, nothing can stop those few, but they have to be given the same advice as normal people. Steve-O makes his own excuses and gives reasons for why he does the things he does. "I don't like work and I don't like school. And like, I want to be remembered forever, dude." At the rate he's going, Steve-O will be more than remembered; he'll be a poster child for becoming infamous rather than famous.

The DVD opens with a pyrotechnic display and driving metal music that throbs through the surround sound system, accompanied by the message: "Warning! The video you are about to watch contains stunts performed by professionals or under the supervision of professionals. Under no circumstances should you or your friends attempt to recreate or copy any stunt. Performance of any of these stunts by amateurs can lead to death or serious injury. This video contains graphic content and is intended for mature audiences only." Steve-O and company really mean that.

Chapter 2 opens up with extreme ice skating, showing Steve-O on skates and in a tutu falling through partially frozen ice. Jewel box music accompanies the piece. Drinking bong water in Chapter 3 leads directly to Chapter 4's snorting of hot curry pepper. In Chapter 5, Steve-O skateboards and leaps through a car windshield, making several attempts before smashing through. Steve-O leaps from a bridge on stilts in Chapter 6. In Chapter 7, Steve-O flames his butt while getting shot with a Roman candle. A guy spits into his eye in Chapter 8. Steve-O ended up in the hospital after the flaming hair stunt in Chapter 9. Chapter 10 involves a flaming high dive from a hotel building. In Chapter 11, he goes for the total gross-out. Chapter 13 has Steve-O taking a turn as a human dartboard that will make most viewers cringe.

Returning to his skateboarding roots in Chapter 14, Steve-O and friends put on a grinding show. Returning to the stomach-churning material in Chapter 16, Steve-O treats himself to squirrel kebobs, boiled nutria rat and possum. He eats from all three, and pukes a barrel full while a country tune plays in the background. "If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough." n Chapter 18, Steve-O has five shots of vodka injected into his veins and walks through town with the IV rig still hooked up. Chapter 19 offers the highlights and a series of quick clips from the "Don't Try This At Home The Tour." This montage is stomach-turning and violent. Attempting to break beer bottles over a guy's head in Chapter 21 is painful to watch. The knots that show up on the guy's skull later testify to the damage that was done. Chapter 24 and Chapter 25's pyrotechnic display is a full-bore pain fest, coupled with insanity and a nearly naked chick.

The DVD commentary offered as one of the special features is totally bizarre. While hanging out with his friends, Steve-O delivers a commentary that wanders far from topic for nearly the entire time. The "Career Ender" part of the DVD is so far over the top that most viewers aren't going to believe what they're seeing. The Human Urinal section is totally gross, as is the Buttcrack Beer. Much of the footage in this section is too far out for most viewers, who are likely to find it highly objectionable.

"Don't Try This At Home: The Steve-O Video" is definitely for the audience that thinks "Jackass" doesn't go far enough. Even though the video is short, the viewers will be torn between cringing, trying not to be sick, laughing, or trying to get over stunned disbelief.

more details
sound format:	English Dolby Digital
aspect ratio(s):	1.33:1
special features:	Includes the bonus video "The Career Ender"
comments:	email us here...
reference system
DVD player:	Pioneer DV-C302D
receiver:	RCA RT2280
main speakers:	RCA RT2280
center speaker:	RCA RT2280
rear speakers:	RCA RT2280
subwoofer:	RCA RT2280
monitor:	42-inch Toshiba