Ashton Kutcher's Punk'd Revived for 2012
MTV has announced the return of “Punk’d,” the program where celebrities become victims of intricate pranks.
The former host of the show and star of “Two and a Half Men,” Ashton Kutcher, will return as the executive producer of the show, along with Jason Goldberg, according to The Huffington Post.
There is no word yet on who will host the show when it returns next year but reports claim the show is likely to be hosted by a slew of celebrities.
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MTV will air a preview of the new series during its New Year's Eve program special hosted by Demi Lovato and "Teen Wolf" star Tyler Posey. MTV’s New Year’s special will comprise of performances by Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, J. Cole, Jason Derulo, and Mac Miller.
According to The Huffington Post, news of the show’s return broke in August with teen pop singer Justin Bieber pulling the season’s first prank on country star Taylor Swift.
Memorable pranks from the last round of shows, include: Justin Timberlake’s tax evasion scam in which the actor was reduced to tears because his assets were seized; Kanye West stealing film back from a “Punk’d” liaison after it was falsely confiscated for not having a permit; and Brandy crying while her brother Ray J was jokingly arrested.
The show, which launched the careers of actor and comedian Dax Shephard (“Parenthood,” “When in Rome”) and producer and comedian B.J. Novak (“The Office,” “Inglourious Basterds”) lasted eight seasons and ended in 2007. As a result of the show’s success, several international versions have been launched in countries such as Norway, Iceland, and India.
The MTV network has been reviving old favorites lately such as “Beavis and Butthead” and “Yo! MTV Raps.” Beavis and Butthead opened to mixed reviews.
Jon Caramanica of The New York Times said of the cartoon, “Visually the show hasn’t been updated at all, which is as it should be: teenage lethargy is perennial. But by the old measurements, the premiere episode is tepid and distant.”
Maureen Ryan of AOL TV wrote, “There's still something winning and relevant about [Beavis and Butthead’s] particular blend of cluelessness and surprisingly sharp commentary.”
