Latest news with #pranks
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘People think their way is right because they're offended': Inspired Unemployed respond to controversial routine
EXCLUSIVE: Even though they've spent the past two years writing the modern-day how-to manual on playing practical jokes in TV show The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers, Jack Steele and Matt 'The Falcon' Ford say they are only just getting better at reading the room. 'Cancel culture now is ridiculous,' Steele says. 'It's pretty hard to do anything, because everyone has a voice and an opinion, and comedy is so subjective. 'People think their way is right, but that's just because they're offended.' Since appearing online in 2019, the pair known as The Inspired Unemployed have amassed more than 5 million followers on social media for their loveable larrikin videos and posts. In 2023, they added housemates Dom Littrich and Liam Moore to their troupe to front the Australian version of (Impractical) Jokers, a series in which the foursome's escalating prank battles result in hilarious, cringe-inducing encounters with the unsuspecting public. Although the show's blend of Punk'd and Candid Camera can be challenging, the team say they are serious about making sure their silliness lands right. 'You try to calculate [the risks] before you go in, even when you're in the ideas room,' Steele says. 'You're always trying to deep-dive it and think, 'OK, how will people react? Are we pushing it too far? Is the joke on us enough?' And if not, then we pull back.' Wearing uniforms to act as anything from sales assistants to yoga instructors, and shooting in the outer Sydney suburbs instead of in the CBD, staves off being recognised as famous comedians. 'Young ones tend to be more onto it,' Ford says of their attempts to fool people by blending in. 'Older ones are a bit easier to get.' And easier to anger. In April 2024, well-known media personalities Antoinette Lattouf, Clementine Ford and Yumi Stynes hosted a free Sydney event called Love Unboxed, billed as a conversation on relationships. In truth, it was a set-up for a season two gag, with the three women in on the ruse. Introduced as a special guest to offer a male counterpoint, Steele spouted whatever his three mates fed him via an earpiece, including comments such as 'I think chicks dig consent'. Although Steele was the butt of the joke, the stunt received intense backlash and was cut from the show. 'It was a punishment of mine, so I had no idea what I was going into,' Steele says. 'I just played it as it comes, and obviously it didn't play great.' Ultimately, Steele and Ford say their schtick has never been about denigrating women or humiliating people. 'We have an exactly 50/50 female and male following, which translates into the show,' Steele notes. 'I guess that's who we are. We all grew up with sisters, and we're not too male-dominated in our life.' By chance, their show's new season launches in line with Men's Health Week (June 9-15), which focuses on helping men and boys lead healthier, happier lives. The timing resonates with Steele. 'We always talk about our emotions and if we feel insecure or vulnerable, happy or down or whatever,' he reflects. 'We get a lot of messages, particularly from women, saying, 'You've helped my husband or boyfriend talk for the first time [about their feelings]', which is really nice to hear.' To that end, the pair won't let one headline-grabbing misstep dent their confidence. 'Every day, we're surprised people go along with some of the things we're doing,' Ford says, smiling. 'We're not qualified in anything [we pretend to do]. But if you just own it, people believe it.' Season 3 of The Inspired Unemployed (Impractical) Jokers premieres at 9.40pm on Monday on Network 10 and 10Play, with all episodes available to stream on Paramount+.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Long Island social media influencer charged after allegedly pranking restaurants, homeowners
A Long Island social media influencer is facing charges over alleged pranks at restaurants and homes. Centereach resident Kyle Vazquez, 21, has 100,000 followers on TikTok and 5 million on Instagram. Influencer left messes behind at restaurants, homes, prosecutors say One video allegedly shows Vazquez pouring a bucket of beans over his head and onto the floor of Wing Wah restaurant, forcing the owners to close early and clean up the mess. Another video allegedly shows Vazquez pouring a huge container of egg yolks on his head outside a Ralph's Famous Italian Ices and then fleeing, leaving a mess of yolks and broken egg shells right outside the shop's front doors. Police say Vazquez also tricked homeowners, telling them he needed to use their bathrooms then leaving a mess behind. Vazquez pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a slew of charges, including unlawful surveillance and criminal tampering. Prosecutors say if convicted, the so-called social media prankster faces fines and up to four years in prison. He was also issued five stay-away orders from those he allegedly pranked. After the hearing at Central Islip District Court, Vazquez turned his back on cameras, appeared to bump court officers and attempted to escape through an emergency door. Four friends picked Vazquez up from court, and they departed, taunting and jeering. "The main reason is the need for attention" "He probably is chasing social media fame, but again, there are consequences for that. But what he's also chasing is the dollar. He makes money off this," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. "I can't imagine why they do this," Wing Wah restaurant worker Cindy Lin said. Hamed Qahri-Saremi, a professor at Colorado State University, researches and writes about social media trends. "Social media platforms sort of manipulate the users. The main reason is the need for attention," he said. "We call this high risk, high reward ... One reason we call them dangerous behaviors is because of the negative consequences it has both for the influencer and for the others."
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The chilling two-word text message that means the Idaho murder survivors may hold the key to this trial
The distinctive gray, three-story, six-bedroom house at 1122 King Road was home to five young women enjoying college life. There, in the heart of Moscow, Idaho, Xana Kernodle, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen hosted lively parties for their friends, played lighthearted pranks and filmed funny videos impersonating each other.
