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Johnny Knoxville's OFFENSIVELY WHOLESOME Special Olympics Comedy Film ("The Ringer")

Media Pastimes

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In today's video, we'll be looking back on 2005's "THE RINGER" starring Johnny Knoxville.

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This video breaks down Johnny Knoxville (MTV's Jackass, Jackass: The Movie, Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3D, Jackass Forever, Jackass: Best and Last, Dukes of Hazzard, Fear Factor) in his Special Olympics movie, The Ringer, exploring its production history and modern cultural legacy. The 2005 comedy follows a desperate man who attempts to fix the Special Olympics by pretending to have an intellectual disability to pay off a massive debt. Directed by Barry Blaustein (comedy writer behind Eddie Murphy movies, director of Beyond the Mat) and produced by the comedy filmmaking duo Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly, the film took a massive creative risk given its sensitive premise. Written by Ricky Blitt, the movie features a cast starring Johnny Knoxville, Katherine Heigl, and Brian Cox, alongside supporting actors Edward Barbanell, Bill Chott, Leonard Flowers, and Jed Rees. This retrospective examines how the production came together with the official support and endorsement of the Special Olympics organization. It looks at the initial reception of the film, its unique tone, and whether this controversial comedy works as a heartwarming story or if it remains a movie that Hollywood would never allow to be made today.

Music (in order)
Belong by Moavii ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Vibing by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
In My Dreams by Lakey Inspired
Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired
Thrilled by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Bean by Lukrembo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Love by Amine Maxwell ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Donut by Lukrembo ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Chill Vibes by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Feeling Good by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Your Vibes by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Mood by Soyb ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Clean Sheet by Aventure ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Cool Lofi by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
Fantasy by Pufino ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
The Process by Lakey Inspired
Asleep by Moavii ‪@FreeToUseMusic‬
ambient by mixkit (outro music)

_______________________________________
Belong by Moavii
Vibing by Pufino
Thrilled by Pufino
Bean by Lukrembo
Love by Amine Maxwell
Donut by Lukrembo
Chill Vibes by Pufino
Feeling Good by Pufino
Your Vibes by Pufino
Mood by Soyb
Clean Sheet by Aventure
Cool Lofi by Pufino
Fantasy by Pufino
Asleep by Moavii
Source: https://freetouse.com/music/
Music for Videos (Free Download)
_______________________________________

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:49 A "Family Guy" writer's insane idea (Ricky Blitt)
2:11 The Farrelly Brothers step in
2:58 Johnny Knoxville cast before jackass
3:45 Director Barry Blaustein (Eddie Murphy's writer, "Beyond the Mat" director)
4:11 Rigging the Special Olympics
6:33 Brian Cox appreciation
7:36 Punching down at Chevy Chase
8:38 The Special Olympics Involvement in "The Ringer"
9:42 You Scratched my CD
11:05 Johnny Knoxville's real friendship with co-stars
11:48 Uncle Gary uses "the r-word"
12:38 Jeffy kisses Lynn (Katherine Heigl)
13:34 Steve reveals his identity
14:50 "The Ringer" vs South Park (Up the Down Steroid)
15:37 Why "The Ringer" holds up
16:23 Life Changing Movie (Eddie Barbanell)
17:52 Supporter Shout Out / Outro

#theringer #johnnyknoxville #movies

20 Comments

@MediaPastimes Creator 3 months ago Pinned

Thank you for watching 🍦 have a great day, and as the film’s tagline says: “make it special”.

Video Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:49 A "Family Guy" writer's insane idea (Ricky Blitt)
2:11 The Farrelly Brothers step in
2:58 Johnny Knoxville cast before jackass
3:45 Director Barry Blaustein (Eddie Murphy's writer, "Beyond the Mat" director)
4:11 Rigging the Special Olympics
6:33 Brian Cox appreciation
7:36 Punching down at Chevy Chase
8:38 The Special Olympics Involvement in "The Ringer"
9:42 You Scratched my CD
11:05 Johnny Knoxville's real friendship with co-stars
11:48 Uncle Gary uses "the r-word"
12:38 Jeffy kisses Lynn (Katherine Heigl)
13:34 Steve reveals his identity
14:50 "The Ringer" vs South Park (Up the Down Steroid)
15:37 Why "The Ringer" holds up
16:23 Life Changing Movie (Eddie Barbanell)
17:52 Supporter Shout Out / Outro

@dxntbedxmb 3 months ago

“WHEN THE F*CK DID WE GET ICE CREAM?”

@rockmanbuchanan7456 3 months ago (edited)

The concept sounds pretty offensive but the execution was very wholesome.

"Here, fishy!"

@michaeldecosimo9787 3 months ago

Thanks you for uploading this because I do have down syndrome also and I’m an adult with Down syndrome This movie is one of my favorite thank you for uploading again people needs to watch these kinds of movies anyway and the Todd Brown movie freaks that needs to be addressed also I consider that movie a good one thanks

@Agrellar 3 months ago (edited)

I remember watching jackass 3D and seeing eddie barbanell in it. I remember feeling happy that him and johnny knoxville stayed friends all that time. I know this movie isn't for everybody, but hearing just how many well intentioned people surrounded the film will always make me a defender of it. People with special needs are the same as everybody else, right down to having a sense of humor.

@RazorBladezX 3 months ago

I will never forget the “when the fuck did we get ice cream” line so good

@danielbloomquist9810 3 months ago

It is a singular and perverse irony that detractors will fail to witness how The Ringer downright CHAMPIONS the very subjects they are too self-righteous in rushing to defend, which backfires to insult those they presume even need their white knight behavior, which they don't. The filmmakers understood that they were the real stars and heart of this wildly wholesome daredevil stunt of a movie.

@neilhannan7525 3 months ago (edited)

For pepple with humour, it's aged like fine wine, but others that can't take a joke aged like Milk

@J-Rod91 3 months ago

This movie made me happy. My mom raised me the right way. When I was in school I didn’t have a problem being friends with the kids in the “special education” class. All the kids in my grade thought it was weird but I thought they were good, fun people. I remember a lot of teachers and parents of those kids approaching my mom and thanking her for raising me to be such a good kid. Hell I’m 35 years old now and still occasionally reach out to them on social media to see how they are doing. For anyone wondering, they are all doing great actually!

@SheepGoatGaming 3 months ago

I remember listening to the DVD commentary years ago, and they describe exactly why the execution of the idea lands. "All the athletes are in on it." They figure it out almost immediately, call him out on it, and decide to help out.

@chrisnotyou 3 months ago

It was endorsed by the special Olympics. All the actual "challenged" competitors and actors LOVED the movie. Being offended is a choice. When you have damn near everything taken care for you, some people have to find stuff to get upset about.

@AlanPiasecki-j9c 3 months ago

Tray Parker and Matt Stone definitely aren't above "borrowing" ideas. Remember the Insheeption episode? They straight up lifted lines and jokes from a CollegeHumor sketch for "Inception" and had to publicly apologize for it later. Stealing The Ringer for a South Park plot feels right up their alley.

@austins.2495 3 months ago

This is a pretty good comedy, it reminds me of Major Payne. It’s not that offensive, really quite wholesome. Obvious favorite scene is “When the f*** did we get ice cream?” 😂

@M.A.S.K._Crusader 3 months ago

HI I'M JOHNNY KNOXVILLE AND THIS IS THE RINGER!!!

@pepperpeterpiperpickled9805 3 months ago

I read on IMDB, I think, that "when the fck did we get icecream?" was ad-libbed, the proof was that Johnny Knoxville was shown laughing.
What's verifiably true is that the guy who said it was married to CHRISTINA HENDRICKS!

@saikuran 3 months ago

Dude, I knew Johnny was a cool ass dude, but I never knew he was a living Saint.

@sirnightengale4214 3 months ago

When the fuck did we get ice cream will always be my favourite part

@mrvgsdoesstuff 3 months ago (edited)

0:10 The Original Jeffy!

@chrispettersen1683 3 months ago

It’s a feel good movie for sure!!

@IIIxIIIIIxIIxIII 3 months ago

ive worked in restaurants with disabled dihwashers and whenever someone gives them trouble im the first dude to stick up for them. all because of this movie