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7 Epic Must-See TV Pranks

Moviefone
April 1, 2015 - 1 min read

In honor of April Fools Day, we're looking back at 7 memorable pranks in TV history. 

Justin Timberlake Gets 'Punk'd'

Who can forget the time that Ashton Kutcher pulled a now-epic fast one on Justin Timberlake in the inaugural episode of MTV's "Punk'd?" There were so many classic punkings from Kutcher's reign as the ultimate celebrity pranker, but telling JT that he owed so many back taxes that the IRS was taking his precious stuff was hard to top. There were actual Timberlake tears here. 

Emily Blunt & John Krasinksi Prank Jimmy Kimmel, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

Emily Blunt and John Krasinksi have an ongoing prank war with Jimmy Kimmel and his wife Molly, and this past Christmas they took things to the next level. After Kimmel covered the couple's house in wrapping paper, they decided to return the favor by wrapping his SVU. But wait, there's more. A Santa-dressed Krasinski then proceeded to drive it. Into a lamp post. And then there's that piano that drops on it... 

Prank War with Johnny Knoxville, 'Viva La Bam'

"Jackass" stars Bam Margera and Johnny Knoxville have proven to be top notch pranksters over the years. They've pulled some ridiculously gross and outrageous stunts on TV and on the big screen. A perfect example of their pranking prowess is their full-on prank war from Bam's MTV series, "Viva La Bam." Even Bam's dad Phil got in on the action... 

Woody Allen Dictates a Letter, 'Candid Camera'

"Candid Camera" is one of the original TV prank shows, first airing in back in 1960. One of Woody Allen's early writing gigs was writing for the program, and he even performed some of the pranks himself on camera. One classic bit had him dictating a ridiculous (and oddly punctuated) love letter to a new and very confused secretary. 

Lady Gaga, 'Boiling Points'

Before Lady Gaga was LADY GAGA, she was 19-year-old college student Stefani Germanotta, who happened to appear on MTV prank show "Boiling Points" in 2005. Contestant Gaga played to win $100 if she kept her cool for the duration of her meal at a restaurant, but unfortunately she totally lost it when the waitress' behavior got a bit out of control. We think she'll be OK though. 

Cow Head in Bed, 'The Tom Green Show'

This is not for the squeamish! Tom Green had quite the heyday as MTV's resident joker in the late '90s -- the Canadian comedian became instantly famous for his gross-out shenanigans on "The Tom Green Show." Known for pulling stunts on his unwitting parents, Tom once even put a cow head in their bed a la "The Godfather." 

Jennifer Aniston Pranks Bike Delivery Guy, 'Ellen'

Ellen DeGeneres' recurring hidden camera gag where she puts ear pieces in celeb's ears and tells them what to do was so successful that it got turned into its own show, "Repeat After Me" hosted by Wendy McLendon-Covey. There have been some great hidden camera moments on "Ellen," but we particularly like the time the adorable Jennifer Aniston messed with a unsuspecting bike salesman. 

Moviefone
Article by Moviefone
Moviefone Writers

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