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Pranked
Common Sense says
- MTV
- Reality TV
- 2009
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series features popular online videos of people playing pranks on their friends and family. Most of the stunts are silly, and some are actually painful. There's lots of strong language (the choicest terms are bleeped), usually uttered by the folks who've been pranked. Victims sometimes scream out in pain and beg for the pranksters to stop. Nudity is blurred. If you let your teens watch, make sure they know that many of these stunts can cause injury and should not be copied.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Pranked
Mean-spirited show
Perfect for older kids
What's the story?
PRANKED highlights some of the Internet’s most popular amateur online practical joke videos. Viewers watch as unsuspecting people are thrown into pools, chased away by fart spray, or flashed by naked college students. Watching the victims’ reactions, which range from laughter to screaming in fear, pain, or anger, is also part of the "fun." Particularly dramatic moments are often replayed in slow motion while the show’s hosts, The CollegeHumor Show’s Amir Blumenfeld and Skeeter Seidel, offer witty banter.
Is it any good?
Pranked offers little beyond showing off silly, potentially dangerous tricks intended to provoke a reaction from those being targeted. While some of the pranks seem to be done in the spirit of fun, others just seem plain mean. Worse, some of the victims actually get hurt.
Some kids may like watching stunts that seem to reflect the craziness of college life. But overall, most of the pranks featured here are pretty immature, and teens are much better off finding something else to do.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the appeal of online videos. Why do people post them? Is it to get attention? Become famous?
What is the difference between playing a harmless trick on someone and being mean? When does a practical joke go too far?
TV details
- Premiere date: August 27, 2009
- Cast: Amir Blumenfeld, Streeter Seidel
- Network: MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Available on: Streaming
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.