Either we're being punk'd or the MTV show of that same name is back. Not only do reports from the 'New York Post' and elsewhere say it's returning they also say the first episode sees none other than Justin Bieber play the role of host and Taylor Swift play the role of the one being punked.
Reports that Bieber punked Swift began to surface on August 29, 2011. Punk'd was a hit on MTV for 4 seasons, from 2003 until 2007. Ashton Kutcher hosted the show, he was also a producer, and he went about pulling pranks on unsuspecting celebrities, primarily stars from music and acting but there were others, like wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin and NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia.
The show was a half-hour and the punks were fast and furious, usually 3 per episode. Kutcher, who reportedly will remain with the new version of the show as an exec. producer, managed to fool over 125 celebs including Jessica Alba, Tyra Banks, Outkast, Thora Birch, Tommy Lee, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Lindsay Lohan, Simon Cowell and Kanye West.
Punk'd Popular MTV Show
The problem with Punk'd was not a fall in popularity but rather too much popularity. There was no one left about to fool. After punking so many celebrities the remaining celebs in L.A. and the rest of the U.S. were almost all aware that to see Ashton Kutcher likely meant something was up. He ran out of material to work with.
The Post story did not know how many episodes Bieber would be hosting and suggested the show would feature a rotating cast of hosts. This concept makes great sense as the show could simply ask celebrities to punk other celebs. That would leave no one person for the famous to focus on if they were looking not to be punked.
Any celebrity could be hired to punk another celebrity and could film a number of punks before anyone would be the wiser they were doing the show. Bieber may have punked many of his fellow stars already, with Swift simply being the first of his punks that the media got wind off.
Bieber Punks Taylor Swift
The Post was not able to learn the details of the Bieber punk on Swift, nor of any others he might have pulled off for the camera. The 17- year-old Canadian singer is known amongst friends and those he works with as someone who loves a practical joke and frequently pulls tricks on others.
Rumors of Bieber becoming part of a new Punk'd began early last October with multiple media reports suggesting he had signed on to do the show. Daniel Kreps in the Rolling Stone wrote at that time that "Bieber is said to be on the verge of a deal to host the reboot, and will likely take part in the first series of pranks." It appears Kreps was right - that is unless he and the New York Post have joined forces to punk us.
MTV has not announced a date when the show will begin to air again.
References Used in this story:
- Washington Post; 'Justin Bieber to Host Punk'd'; October 6, 2010
- The New York Post; Punk'd Returns Justin Time; August 29, 2011.
- Chicago Sun-Times; 'A punk leading 'Punk'd'? Bieber reportedly set to host MTV series that made Kutcher'; October 7, 2010
