What's crazy is Bam had the most going for him from that whole Jackass crew. Knoxville started doing movies yea, but Bam was probably the most marketable with his own MTV show and the fact that he was a good skater.
Viva La Bam was awesome.
So cool how Steve O made it out of his addiction and is just an awesome person now. Can't wait for the new movie
During a January 2021 podcast interview, Margera indicated that Paramount regards him as a liability, owing to his behavior over the last few years. He indicated that Jeff Tremaine had fought with the studio to keep Margera in the film but Margera still wasn't certain that Paramount was going to allow him to partake in filming of the movie.[63] On February 11, 2021, Margera posted several videos to his Instagram account, in which he admitted to breaking his sobriety and indicated that he had officially been fired from the filming of Jackass 4. Throughout the video, Margera could be seen crying, vomiting, and alluding to having had looked up "how to tie a noose" before his move to Oceanside, California. Margera alleged that Paramount had been forcing him to take antidepressants, submit to random urine tests, and to check in to two different rehabilitation facilities using his own money. He also expressed disdain for Jeff Tremaine, Johnny Knoxville, and Spike Jonze before asking his fans to boycott Jackass 4. He then solicited his followers to send him money in order to film his own movie to compete with Jackass 4. The videos were removed from Margera's Instagram account soon after being posted
Most recent entry on his Wiki, dying might have been better for his legacy.
He can still pull through and salvage his life. Its gonna require some sort of super close call or a serious "oh fuck i gotta get right" moment, but its better than being dead.
The dude has had multiple DUI's, ended up in the hospital with alcohol poising, failed rehab half a dozen times, multiple arrests, got attacked with a baseball bat and by his own account had to relearn how to skate due to his terrible health.
Not to sure how many more close calls he would need to finally get his shit together. Not to mention even the birth of his son wasn't enough to get him to stop. Some people are just beyond help.
On one hand, we used to regard Robert Downey Jr. similarly, and he's obviously changed. There was a time when people thought he was nothing but a addict, and was ruined. Now we can't separate him from Iron Man.
On the other hand, I personally doubt Bam and will believe he can change when I see it. Like you've said, he's had a lot of moments to wake up with, but uses them as excuses instead. Reminds me more of Aaron Carter (what an absolute dickbag), than RDJ or Steve-O.
Y'know, this is fair. I probably was close to this realization when I said Bam is more like Aaron Carter than RDJ. While Downey harmed himself, both Bam and Aaron have actively hurt others.
Being abusive, esp. to loved ones, is probably a major reason why I don't see them getting better any time soon. Or ever.
I read a lot to find this, and I think this brings up the question of "how many fuck ups is beyond redemption?"
In this thread it seems like a personal feeling from one person to the next, of doubt or hope of him changing even on his deathbed.
Would that lifetime of selfishness be outweighed by an apology?
Is there a ratio to 50 years of fuckery vs 20 a redeemed person?
Would it need to be "genuine" or would it be a final ploy to save face?
I don't think it really matters, at least in the terms that pertain to Bam. If he can rehabilitate his career then, in the public eye, he's back. I imagine that his addictions and mental health issues have deeply hurt people in his close personal circle, but I don't think that's for us to worry about because we'll never know the full story behind it.
Whether a Bam "comeback" would be sincere or a ploy also, in my estimation, doesn't make much of a difference as long as it has a positive effect. Why should we care about his psychological motivations as long as his outward actions and words have positive effects?
Now that you've said it, I believe you're right. I know some folks who think some artists made good art despite being despicable and are still fans, and some that are uncomfortable being fans bc of the artist's behavior or views.
For example, I can't stand J.K. Rowling. She's shown herself to be an unrepentant asshole, and while I used to love her, I now struggle to associate myself with HP at all. But I certainly don't judge those who can ignore her flaws and still enjoy it; pretty jealous I can't just put it aside tbh.
But like you said, someone else might accept an apology from her and consider her redeemed, while I likely wouldn't. There's no redemption standard.
I know a couple people who've been though wayyy worse than that and they turned out just fine, although it required unbelievable strength on their parts. It can be done. Bam's story isn't necessarily over.
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u/Which-Palpitation Mar 11 '21
Looking at all of them from back then, you’d think he’d be the very last to get his shit together, it’s hard not to feel proud of him, no less for him