Stranger Things
UPDATE : In reply to the social media rebound against the premise ofPrank Encounters , a Netflix spokesperson issued the following statement : " The trick in Prank Encounters are skittish , supernatural , and over the top , and everyone had a great time . All participant came in with the expectation this was a one - day , hourly spear and everyone got paid for their time . "
Prank Encounters , Netflix ’s aforethought prank show withStranger Thingsstar Gaten Matarazzo , has been come across with buff outrage , and for good ground . When the streaming service announce design to produce a concealed camera antic show , the concept could n’t help oneself but pull examination . The account of the show ’s concept did n’t aid put concerned minds at ease either . Prank Encounterswas described on Netflix’sSee What ’s NextTwitter account as"a hidden camera prank show where two strangers each think it ’s their first day at a new job . It ’s business as usual until their itinerary collide and these part - prison term jobs turn into full - fourth dimension incubus . “Gaten Matarazzo , considerably known asDustin onStranger Things(one of the most popular show on the platform ) , is credit as both boniface and executive producer .
Social media answer with fervent negativity towardsPrank Encounters , with many remark how unnecessarily cruel the set - up seemed . Deceiving people who are out of oeuvre and potentially heroic for employment into such a hostile office without their knowledge could n’t help but make citizenry interest about the possible consequences of such a situation . It ’s a show estimate that finger so very unlikeNetflix , who have work hard to build up a reputation found on prestige and lineament , but it ’s also one that feel completely out of feeling with New entertainment . Many wondered how active Matarazzo , who is only sixteen , was in pitch the idea , or if he was simply circumvent by Yes Men who told him it would be a wonderful idea .
Either way , setting up a teen to be the public boldness ofPrank Encounterswas misguide at best and instantaneously callous at risky . Of course , the problem surrounding Prank Encounters go far beyond its own premise and its potential for ruthlessness .
Prank Shows Can Easily Go Wrong
clearly , harlequinade show do n’t have a outstanding report . They ’re typically billed as creatively lazy and ethically mistrust , much in the fashion reality TV , in general , is discussed . In recent yr , television networks and producers have been heavily criticized for the way contestants are treated on such shows , with many questioning the deficiency of service given in the aftermath of that initial success . In the UK , the enormously popular seriesLove Islandhas faced such queries regarding aftercare and improper counseling given to people come after the suicides of two objector . It ’s highly difficult to prepare someone for the uniquely full - on experience of being on a reality show , especially when the driving mood of the series is mockery . bestow to that the deliberately spontaneous nature of a prank show format and one should n’t be surprised if affair go haywire .
Prank shows are fundamentally walking liability . People can get hurt , innocent bystanders adventure being embarrassed on a global scale , and the eternal Holman Hunt for cock-a-hoop shocks can lead citizenry down dark track . YouTubeis testament to this , as notable trick videos admit the now infamous Logan Paul faking his own murder as fan watch on . Shows like this have been taken to court for improper behaviour and distress caused . In 2002 ( viaBBC ) , a couple sued MTV for $ 10 million after walk into their hotel room to discovered what looked like a offense scene , complete with a fake dead organic structure and plenteous amount of money of blood . The setting had been set up for a"guerrilla - style Candid Camera"show calledHarassment , host by a pre - Punk’dAshton Kutcher .
Targeting People Looking For Work Is Particularly Cruel
But Gaten Matarazzo ’s Netflix prank show is n’t any old prank show . It ’s one that ’s aim a group of people in a dire financial situation .
Anyone who has ever been out of work for an elongated period of time will understand how emotionally hard and demoralize the experience can be . Being desperate for employment , be it due to your financial situation or your own mental well - being , is not something that should be exploited for inexpensive laughs . The potential for embarrassment and victimization withPrank Encounters’set - up is shockingly high . For lesson , if an unknowing objector takes the fake job , they may turn down veridical oeuvre offers to do so and not recognise what ’s going to happen . They may lay off claiming unemployment benefits too . Even if there is financial compensation for this quandary , a one - off advantage is still no substitute for the real caper they cogitate they were getting . That does n’t even take into account the excited monetary value of this parody or the ethical murkiness of such a conception .
The Best Case Scenario is a Scripted Show
At the very least , there ’s a firm chance that Gaten Matarazzo ’s Netflix prank show is script in some mode . You will struggle to find a reality series that is n’t on some level pre - planned or driven by a carefully managed narrative where everyone involved knows what they ’re getting into . Contestants onPrank Encountersmay have some knowledge of what to carry , although the very data formatting of a japery series would make this difficult . It would essentially kill the determination of a prank show .
The reply toPrank Encountersso far has been universally electronegative , and for good reason . At good , this could be a misguided theme where good aim could n’t restrain it together , and at worst , things could end very badly . Given the repercussion to the simple idea of the series , it will be surprising if it ever makes it to Netflix .
NEXT : Netflix Has Changed Stranger Things ' Mythology ( & Created Plot Holes )
