Gaten Matarazzo, 16, best known as Dustin on Stranger Things, is hosting and producing a prank show for Netflix. The show’s announcement was met with understandable backlash, given the premise. People will be told they’re starting a new job, only to be pranked for the cameras. In response to the criticism, Netflix has issued a statement defending themselves and claiming that it was only a one-day job for participants. Metro has more:
Gaten Matarazzo… acts as host and executive producer on the eight-episode series set to launch on Netflix later this year.
Following the show’s announcement last week, many criticised the series for potentially having a harmful effect on those looking for work.
A Netflix press release, describing the show, reads: ‘Each episode of this terrifying and hilarious prank show takes two complete strangers who each think they’re starting their first day at a new job.
‘It’s business as usual until their paths collide and these part-time jobs turn into full-time nightmares.’
In a statement issued to Metro.co.uk following the backlash, a Netflix spokesperson said: ‘The pranks in Prank Encounters are spooky, supernatural, and over the top, and everyone had a great time.
‘All participants came in with the expectation this was a one-day, hourly gig and everyone got paid for their time.’
I’m not a fan of intentionally embarrassing and/or shaming people, especially for entertainment purposes. Beyond that, I’m a bit confused by the premise: According to the press release, people believed that they were starting a new job. That suggests that these people believed that they were going to continue in the job for the foreseeable future. But…it was only for one day? And they knew this, also according to Netflix. And then…they were frightened thanks to pranks that the audience is going to find funny. Eh. If I want to watch a show related to the supernatural, I’ll watch Ghost Hunters or something similar, and if I want to laugh, I’ll rewatch a comedy special. Maybe the pranks are more goofy than terrifying, but still, what’s the point of telling people they’re starting a new job, only to prank and scare them?
A rich kid is going to pretend to give employment to people who desperately need it then take said employment away so he can make money from it? This is simply cruel.
Netflix orders show Prank Encounters with Stranger Things' Gaten Matarazzo https://t.co/uAwB8PTYZh
— Cian (@Cianaf) June 15, 2019
🔥BURN THIS DOWN🔥
This is some tone-deaf, cruel, unfunny, & privileged bullshit. Please RT via @deadline #StrangerThings #GatenMatarazzo To Host & Executive Produce Hidden-Camera Prank Show For @netflix: https://t.co/rUrcgVtwW4— Brad Benson (@badbrad002) June 15, 2019
"Each episode of this terrifying and hilarious prank show takes two complete strangers who each think they’re starting their first day at a new job."
Lying to struggling people about being hired and having a job to support their families. SO FUNNY!https://t.co/CawwPXSprm
— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) June 15, 2019
photos credit: WENN and Avalon.red
Eh the carbonara magic show already does this. It’s always someone’s new at a job and something goes missing or comes to life. It’s really a one time job, they still get paid, and tv time (if they sign waiver). They just advertised the premise poorly.
My guess is that the show is probably scripted, like that Undercover Boss bullsh*t.
Funny, the new press release is nothing like how they originally promoted the show, so this sounds like last minute PR to make it sound less awful than it is.
Oh how hilarious! A 16 year old who has riches from a stupid TV show, conning people who legit need to work and think they are going to work… for a paycheck… because we adults have bills to pay. After being out of a job for a few months earlier this year, I can say this is awful. Even if it was day-pay, which is questionable, I took some of those jobs to make enough for rent. It’s low enough to not have a job, to be made a laughingstock for it… just NO
And honestly, I know he was in a popular show and maybe he’s nice, but he is not charming or funny or charismatic. His verizon (or whatever) commercials were PAINFUL to watch
I always assumed these kinds of shows hired actors and not everyday people actually looking for jobs….
It may be innocuous but it sure rolled out in a craptastic way. Sounds like they are spinning it any way they can to make it seem less cruel.
There was an interesting discussion on Twitter about how Gaten shouldn’t be blamed but instead the adults who are presumably advising him.
I was going to say that. He’s a teenager, and we all tend to be somewhat tone deaf and unaware at that age. When I think back to some of the things I’d get upset with my parents about (I can’t believe they’re making me pay for my car insurance, who says that’s too much for new shoes, etc.), I sound like a spoiled brat, and I think I was pretty typical for most teenagers I was growing up around.
If you don’t need your income, it can be hard to remember that other people do. I had no idea how much my parents spent until I was on my own, and I had to realize that I couldn’t buy whatever I wanted. Money doesn’t mean much if you don’t need it.
Come on, do you think those aren’t all paid actors? It’s all fake, like most “prank” shows are…at least that’s my opinion.
This show sounds awful but people taking it so seriously is even worse. It’s been explained people thought they were doing a one time job and I’m pretty sure they get paid anyway, more than they would get in a normal one day job, since they have to sign an agreement for their image to be part of the show. I think most people would be fine with that, I doubt anyone would get traumatized in the process of looking for a job because of a prank.
SyFy already does this EXACT SAME concept with Scare Tactics.
Wont be watching this. Skip this show and watch Hellevator instead. It’s funny.