Punk’d is back with new hosts, a new home, and a newfound focus on creators. The classic MTV prank show has been reimagined as Punk You, a YouTube series that will feature a cast of influencers, musicians, and other celebs.
The original version of Punk’d ran from 2003 to 2007, with actor Ashton Kutcher serving as the show’s host. There have been several attempts to bring back the show since then. The popularity of pranks on YouTube inspired brief revivals powered by talent on Vine and Quibi.
Punk You is quite different from those attempts, because instead of trying to find a replacement for Kutcher, the new show features rotating hosts from the creator community. Kutcher’s celebrity connections gave Punk’d star power in the 00s, and Punk You showrunners Sophie Watts and Joe White are betting that YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch stars can provide a similar vibe. (They’re also getting an assist from original Punk’d producer Jason Goldberg.)
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For an example of how that approach works, check out Punk You‘s inaugural episode. Sports game streamer Sketch is the prank mastermind, fellow Twitch star Jynxzi is his mark, and the results must be seen to be believed.
Other guests slated for Punk You include Jojo Siwa and NLE Choppa. “This is a format that we’ve specifically designed for social media,” Watts said.
It’s a great time to bring back Punk’d, since 00s nostalgia is currently red hot on the internet. (That’s why Limewire is coming back.) New versions of MTV classics like TRL have harnessed the power of social media influencers, and other media companies have put their own spins on shows like Pimp My Ride. And MTV itself has a long history when it comes to social content, as our pages of coverage can attest.
As someone who grew up in that era, the sudden fervor for 2000s MTV is a bit surreal. But Punk You is no prank, and I don’t think Ashton Kutcher is popping out of the bushes anytime soon.
