Business School Case Study: Beavis and Butthead

The chances of Beavis and Butthead getting into Harvard College seem pretty slim. But Harvard Business School, on the other hand, is no problem.

"Beavis and Butthead" was the main case study last week in a second-year Business School class taught by Shad Professor of Business Ethics Joseph I. Badaracco.

The class, "Moral Dilemmas of Management," used the popular MTV show to examine how business interests may be harmful to society.

While the topic proved controversial, many students were impressed with the surprising relevancy of the case study.

"I loved it," said student Michal J. Staisil.

Badaracco presented the "Beavis and Butthead" case study to the class, including a description of the show, excerpts, information on the growth of the cable industry, some financial information and a brief overview of the arguments in favor and against the show.

Then Badaracco viewed eight minutes of "Beavis and Butthead" excerpts from shows in the last three months.

"In the case of violence on TV, the rights of the producers, creators, investors, and cable companies may run counter to those of society by causing it harm," said Head Teaching Fellow Jerry Ussem.

The students debated whether television is responsible for its possible impact on society.

"First the issue of whether 'Beavis and Butthead' are merely crude or have some redeeming multi-level humor was discussed," Ussem said. "Then the impact of the media on society was debated."

Badaracco said the class appeared equally divided on the merits of the show.

"Some students thought it was dumb, and others thought it to have some wonderful subtlety," he said. "The debate ranged from views that this show and others had gone too far, to arguments for more freedom. Some people even suggested that 'Beavis and Butthead' should be shown on Saturday mornings."

And some students said the show is better suited to older viewers.

"I'm inclined to say that the show does contain redeeming humor. In a variety of ways, it pokes fun at humor itself; most twenty something people are laughing at people who would laugh at them," he said. "Younger people, on the other hand, may not."

But others, said the show like Butthead's finger, should be pulled.

"I believe in the freedom of speech, but the responsibility of the media for its content supersedes that right," Lauren F. Love said. "The type of language and violence displayed on that show are not in the best interests of society."

Badaracco said part of the inspiration for the "Beavis and Butthead" class came from his children, ages 14, 11 and nine.

"I was curious about the show. My kids watch it all the time, and I had watched it with them a couple of times," he said. "Besides, I know that a lot of students watch it, so I figured they might be interested."

The HBS curriculum has not seen the last of the disgusting duo. They will be used in the class on a few more occasions, Badaracco said.

"I would like for us to be able to go to New York and talk to Mike Judge, their creator," he said. "I've talked to him on the phone about it, but his schedule is too busy right now."

The controversy surrounding this case extended beyond the classroom, Ussem said.

"Several members of the faculty were offended by the case's title, This Case Sucks,' but we thought it sort of crystallized the essence of the show," Ussem said, "representing both its crudeness and its self-referential humor."

"Cool," said Butthead

Badaracco said the class appeared equally divided on the merits of the show.

"Some students thought it was dumb, and others thought it to have some wonderful subtlety," he said. "The debate ranged from views that this show and others had gone too far, to arguments for more freedom. Some people even suggested that 'Beavis and Butthead' should be shown on Saturday mornings."

And some students said the show is better suited to older viewers.

"I'm inclined to say that the show does contain redeeming humor. In a variety of ways, it pokes fun at humor itself; most twenty something people are laughing at people who would laugh at them," he said. "Younger people, on the other hand, may not."

But others, said the show like Butthead's finger, should be pulled.

"I believe in the freedom of speech, but the responsibility of the media for its content supersedes that right," Lauren F. Love said. "The type of language and violence displayed on that show are not in the best interests of society."

Badaracco said part of the inspiration for the "Beavis and Butthead" class came from his children, ages 14, 11 and nine.

"I was curious about the show. My kids watch it all the time, and I had watched it with them a couple of times," he said. "Besides, I know that a lot of students watch it, so I figured they might be interested."

The HBS curriculum has not seen the last of the disgusting duo. They will be used in the class on a few more occasions, Badaracco said.

"I would like for us to be able to go to New York and talk to Mike Judge, their creator," he said. "I've talked to him on the phone about it, but his schedule is too busy right now."

The controversy surrounding this case extended beyond the classroom, Ussem said.

"Several members of the faculty were offended by the case's title, This Case Sucks,' but we thought it sort of crystallized the essence of the show," Ussem said, "representing both its crudeness and its self-referential humor."

"Cool," said Butthead