Last week it was announced that Gaten Matarazzo, the young actor who plays Dustin in the sci-fi/horror series Stranger Things, would be hosting a new reality show called Prank Encounters for Netflix. While prank shows are nothing new (from Candid Camera to Punk’d to Impractical Jokers) some are already branding Prank Encounters as exceptionally cruel.
The problem seems to be the show’s premise: Unsuspecting victims arrive to what they believe is the first day of a new job, only to be thrust into a real-life nightmare–all for entertainment. Many on Twitter are blasting Netflix and Matarazzo, not for planning pranks, but for making people believe they are starting new jobs before tossing them back out into a state of unemployment! Here are some examples of the gripes:
“Genuine cruelty. Do better Netflix.”
“Until I see a statement from your team, I’m holding out some hope that this show isn’t just literally giving people fake job offers. Hoping there’s more to it cause, that’s a very cruel premise. Unless the prankees get salary equivalent money and job placement help at the end.”
“Oh good, bullying people who are already stressed out from not being able to find a job. Super classy there, kid.”
Neither Netflix or Matarazzo have commented at the time of posting. Hopefully, Prank Encounters won’t be as deplorable as everyone is fearing. Time will tell.
What do you think of the premise of Prank Encounters? Good clean fun or exceptionally cruel? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.
Source: CB