The video for Gnarls Barkleys new single, "Run, has been barred from MTV, the station announced today. But its not because of too much violence, sex or general bad taste, but rather because of flashing lights.
The strobe effects featured in the clip have caused "Run to fail the Harding Test, the guidelines established to prevent television images form triggering epileptic seizures, meaning for now the video will remain an online-only affair. Also, it marks the first time Justin Timberlake, whos featured in the video, has ever been involved in something controversial enough to outlaw him from MTV.
"I dont know exactly whats going on, but were having issues, Gnarls Barkley member Danger Mouse told Billboard.com . "I think [the video] is cool. It works for me. But Im not necessarily that easily seasick. We cant predict how people are going to interpret it."
And while this may seem like an overly cautious move by MTV, in 1997, 700-plus Japanese TV viewers were sent into convulsions from an eight-second segment of the televised anime, Pokemon (or Pocket Monsters for those in the know). And in that instance all that set off numerous trips to the hospital was the repetitious strobe light effect of Pikachus eyes.
Gnarls Barkleys forthcoming album The Odd Couple drops April 8 and the group have already set to work on their second single "Whos Gonna Save My Soul. No word yet on what type of lighting will be featured in the video.
Warning: This video may cause seizures. Seriously. Watch at your own discretion...
Gnarls Barkley "Run
The strobe effects featured in the clip have caused "Run to fail the Harding Test, the guidelines established to prevent television images form triggering epileptic seizures, meaning for now the video will remain an online-only affair. Also, it marks the first time Justin Timberlake, whos featured in the video, has ever been involved in something controversial enough to outlaw him from MTV.
"I dont know exactly whats going on, but were having issues, Gnarls Barkley member Danger Mouse told Billboard.com . "I think [the video] is cool. It works for me. But Im not necessarily that easily seasick. We cant predict how people are going to interpret it."
And while this may seem like an overly cautious move by MTV, in 1997, 700-plus Japanese TV viewers were sent into convulsions from an eight-second segment of the televised anime, Pokemon (or Pocket Monsters for those in the know). And in that instance all that set off numerous trips to the hospital was the repetitious strobe light effect of Pikachus eyes.
Gnarls Barkleys forthcoming album The Odd Couple drops April 8 and the group have already set to work on their second single "Whos Gonna Save My Soul. No word yet on what type of lighting will be featured in the video.
Warning: This video may cause seizures. Seriously. Watch at your own discretion...
Gnarls Barkley "Run