MTV’s Punk’d Is Coming Back & Chance The Rapper Is Hosting

MTV’s Punk’d is making a comeback with Chance the Rapper slated to host the reality series. Created by Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg, Punk’d premiered in 2003 and ran for a successful 10 seasons on MTV. Hosted by Kutcher, Punk’d created an enticing formula as a hidden-camera practical joke show featuring unsuspecting celebrities. 

Striking a resemblance to classic hidden camera show, Candid Camera, Punk’d scored a massive following with a younger generation tuning in to witness the titular elaborate pranks (including fake dead bodies, unpaid taxes, and stolen cars) pulled on Hollywood’s finest. Featuring Frankie Muniz, Justin Timberlake, Zach Braff, and Jessica Simpson as prank victims, Punk’d displayed that no celebrity was safe from Kutcher’s tailored made schemes. Clocking in more than 75 unforgettable episodes, Punk’d is hailed as one of the most beloved MTV original series, along with The Real World, Cribs, and Jackass. Sans Kutcher’s involvement, Punk’d is on the revival assembly line at the streaming platform Quibi. Helmed by Hollywood mongrel Jeffrey Katzenberg, Quibi has become the talk of the town with the unique short-form streaming service set to launch this year. 

Now, celebrities should once again be on high-alert against elaborate hoaxes. As reported to Variety, Chance the Rapper will serve as the host of Quibi’s revival of Punk’d. Best known for his mixtape, Coloring Book, Grammy Award-winning Chance segued into hosting last year as a judge on Netflix’s Rhythm+Flow. Slated for 20 episodes, each under ten minutes, Punk’d with Chance the Rapper has yet to reveal the roster of celebrity victims. Attempting to entice viewers, Punk’d unveils a look at Chance the Prankster conducting a prank (involving an escaped gorilla) on Megan Thee Stallion. Check out the sneak peek below:

Chance the Rapper has expressed his excitement at tackling his role as host and executive producer of the upcoming revival stating, “Punk’d is one of MTV’s most iconic franchises. I grew up watching this show and it’s surreal to be in the driver’s seat this time around on Quibi.” Expected to launch on April 6, 2020, Quibi will release a slew of “quick bites” content including Sam Raimi’s 50 States of Fear, Chrissy Teigen’s led Chrissy’s Court, and Killing Zac Efron. 

In an era of reboots and revivals, bringing a reality series back to life could be a hit or miss. Punk’d has received the revival treatment before with singer Justin Beiber stepping in as the host and BET’s attempt to reimagine the series, however, the retailored versions of Punk’d never quite lived up to Kutcher’s original. Given Chance the Rapper’s contagious charisma, Goldberg slated to produce, and Quibi’s A-list stacked platform, the revival of Punk’d appeared to be in great hands and will no doubt be a winner for the new streaming service.

Source: Variety/Quibi 

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Bethany Guerrero
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Bethany is a news writer for ScreenRant and has been with the team since 2019.

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