Balloon Prank Was Part Of A Reality Show
VANDER BITES – The news-breaking balloon voyage that captured the nation’s attention once a young boy was believed to be on board was apparently a staged episode of MTV’s Punk’d.
The stunt, which was part of an episode scheduled to air in February, was actually the brainchild of a Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles employee who was the unwitting recipient of a prank phone call from his friends in the military.
“Sure they embarrassed me with that prank phone call from Roy D. Mercer,” the employee said. “But these guys looked like real gullible idiots with this balloon thing. I can’t wait until America can see their faces on camera when they learn they got Punk’d.”
Military and law enforcement officials realized the situation once Punk’d’s recognizable host announced the reveal.
“We were pretty upset, especially after spending untold thousands of dollars in this goose chase,” a senior military spokesman said. “But right when we were about to announce legal charges, Ashton Kutcher came around the corner and a bunch of camera guys started laughing. He really got us good on this one.”
The stunt, which targeted the Air Force and Colorado State Police, was pulled off perfectly, Kutcher said.
“We punk’d them so good,” he said. “We’re always going for bigger and better, and with sweeps coming up, this was perfect.”
Kutcher, who also works as one of the show’s producers, said this balloon incident was “Just the tip of the iceberg,” and promised “Even better episodes down the road.”
“We’ve got a great one going right now, making President Obama think he won the Nobel Peace Prize,” he said. “I can’t wait to see his face once we tell him it’s all a hoax.”
