Thu. Mar 28th, 2024


Did Jackass Forever resurrect the prank genre? Are we about to enter a new era of broken bones, hurt feelings, and destroyed expensive property? ABC hopes so after giving the go-ahead to The Prank Panel, a reality series designed to pull fast ones over on unsuspecting victims of gags and goofs.

Johnny Knoxville (Jackass), Eric André (The Eric André Show), and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) will be your “pranxperts” for The Prank Panel. In this show, ordinary people pitch pranks targeting family members, friends, and co-workers for a chance at the big time. The Prank Panel gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how contestants plot complex escapades aimed at ignorant individuals. The show lets the pranksters get in on the action while bringing the hosts of The Prank Panel along for the ride.

Aiming for a 2023 premiere, Kimmelot and ITV America produce The Prank Panel. Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser executive produce, with Jimmy Kimmel and Scott Lonker through Kimmelot. Knoxville, André, Jordana Hochman, Bernie Schaeffer, and Vin Rubino executive produce via ITV America.

The Prank Panel, ABC, Johnny Knoxville, teaser trailer

Knoxville and André are seasoned veterans in the art of pranking, thanks to their work on Jackass and The Eric André Show. While Jackass is founded on the concept of elaborate pranks, stunts, and extreme acts of tomfoolery, The Eric André Show features André executing pranks of his own design to a variety of celebrities and unknowing entities.

Meanwhile, Sidibe is an Academy Award-nominated actress who made her debut in the 2009 soul-crushing drama Precious. Despite bringing down the house as a dramatic actor, Sidibe is also a gifted comedic actor thanks to Netflix’s BoJack HorsemanAmerican Dad, and HBO Max’s Christmas comedy Santa Inc. The Prank Panel will give Sidibe a chance to shine as someone willing to judge how jokesters fly their flag.

What do you think of the concept of The Prank Panel? Is this series another Jackass in the making? What’s a ridiculous prank you’ve pulled on someone? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

By Dave Jenks

Dave Jenks is an American novelist and Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Between those careers, he’s worked as a deckhand, commercial fisherman, divemaster, taxi driver, construction manager, and over the road truck driver, among many other things. He now lives on a sea island, in the South Carolina Lowcountry, with his wife and youngest daughter. They also have three grown children, five grand children, three dogs and a whole flock of parakeets. Stinnett grew up in Melbourne, Florida and has also lived in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and Cozumel, Mexico. His next dream is to one day visit and dive Cuba.