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Just Kidding (TV series)
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| Just Kidding | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy |
| Created by |
|
| Based on | Just for Laughs |
| Presented by | Zach Fox Jason Earles Tyrel Jackson Williams Calum Worthy |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | Silent |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 42 |
| Production | |
| Production location | Canada |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Teletoon Trans TV |
| Release | November 18, 2012 – April 1, 2015 |
Just Kidding is a Canadian hidden camera reality television series that first aired on February 3, 2013 on its Canadian channel, Teletoon, and November 19, 2012 on Disney XD. It is not broadcast on Télétoon due to TVA's broadcasting rights of the series in French-Canadian territories. However, on September 1, 2015, the series moved over to La Chaîne Disney. The series has also been broadcast in the UK (CBBC), France, Australia, Southeast Asia, Poland, Brazil, Spain, Norway, Turkey, and Sweden. Unlike the international versions, the Disney XD version is hosted by YouTube sensation Zach Fox, and the Disney XD stars Jason Earles and Tyrel Jackson Williams, and since 2014, is hosted by the Disney Channel star Calum Worthy. In 2014, Just Kidding (along with other live-action Teletoon shows, My Babysitter's a Vampire and R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour) moved from Teletoon to YTV. The series was cancelled on November 30, 2014.
The show is loosely based on Just for Laughs Gags (which is itself based on the American show Candid Camera[1]), with some inspiration from René Cardona's La risa en vacaciones series to boot, only this show's premise focuses on kids pulling jokes. The series plays with no written dialogue, apart from the main theme which gives the impression that all the kids share the hosting position.
Episodes
[edit]Series overview
[edit]| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 26 | November 18, 2012 | February 11, 2013 | |
| 2 | 16 | November 8, 2014 | April 1, 2015 | |
Season 1 (2012–13)
[edit] | This section's plot summary needs to be improved. (December 2020) |
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date [2] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Picture Perfect" | November 19, 2012 | |
|
Zach poses as a photographer and catches people's candid reactions when a broken seat drops them to the ground as they say "cheese." Marshmallows fall from the sky. | ||||
| 2 | 2 | "Baseball Robot" | November 20, 2012 | |
|
A prank involving broken science equipment. Also: an art exhibit comes to life. | ||||
| 3 | 3 | "Scary Tarantula" | November 21, 2012 | |
| 4 | 4 | "Frozen Tongue" | November 22, 2012 | |
|
Pranks are pulled on unsuspecting people. In the opener, host Zach Fox tricks bystanders into believing that his tongue is stuck to an ice-cream cart cooler. Also: a sofa that swallows kids; a water-squirting watermelon | ||||
| 5 | 5 | "Human Door Knocker" | November 23, 2012 | |
|
Zach disguises himself as part of a door knocker and surprises people as they try to deliver a package. Also: a park-bench toilet; a life size jack-in-the-box. | ||||
| 6 | 6 | "Underarm Juice" | November 26, 2012 | |
| 7 | 7 | "Golf" | November 27, 2012 | |
| 8 | 8 | "Hockey" | November 28, 2012 | |
| 9 | 9 | "Arm Wrestling" | November 29, 2012 | |
| 10 | 10 | "Foosball" | November 30, 2012 | |
| 11 | 11 | "High Five" | December 3, 2012 | |
| 12 | 12 | "Instruments" | December 4, 2012 | |
| 13 | 13 | "Football" | December 5, 2012 | |
| 14 | 14 | "Autobiography" | December 6, 2012 | |
| 15 | 15 | "Dodge Ball" | December 7, 2012 | |
| 16 | 16 | "Tyrel Vanishes" | December 10, 2012 | |
| 17 | 17 | "Extreme Sports" | December 11, 2012 | |
| 18 | 18 | "Scared" | December 12, 2012 | |
| 19 | 19 | "Dancing" | December 13, 2012 | |
| 20 | 20 | "Street Performing" | December 14, 2012 | |
| 21 | 21 | "Ghost Tyrel" | January 7, 2013 | |
| 22 | 22 | "Garageys" | January 14, 2013 | |
| 23 | 23 | "Jump Rope" | January 21, 2013 | |
| 24 | 24 | "Tyrel Leaves" | January 28, 2013 | |
| 25 | 25 | "Thumb War" | February 4, 2013 | |
| 26 | 26 | "Working Out" | February 11, 2013 | |
Season 2 (2014–15)
[edit] | This section needs a plot summary. (December 2020) |
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date [2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | "Just a Pop Star" | November 7, 2014 |
| 28 | 2 | "Just a Catchphrase" | November 15, 2014 |
| 29 | 3 | "Just an Illusion" | November 22, 2014 |
| 30 | 4 | "Just a Pitch" | November 29, 2014 |
| 31 | 5 | "Just a Laugh" | December 6, 2014 |
| 32 | 6 | "Just my Assistant"[2] | January 17, 2015 |
| 33 | 7 | "Just a Prank on Me?"[2] | January 24, 2015 |
| 34 | 8 | "Just Locked In"[2] | January 31, 2015 |
| 35 | 9 | "Just a Competition"[2] | February 7, 2015 |
| 36 | 10 | "Just Resting"[2] | February 14, 2015 |
| 37 | 11 | "Just Behind the Scenes"[2] | February 21, 2015 |
| 38 | 12 | "Just Fit"[2] | February 25, 2015 |
| 39 | 13 | "Just a New Look"[2] | March 7, 2015 |
| 40 | 14 | "Just Knitting"[2] | March 14, 2015 |
| 41 | 15 | "Just a Sneeze"[2] | March 25, 2015 |
| 42 | 16 | "Just a Cookie"[2] | April 1, 2015 |
References
[edit]- ^ Just for Laughs: Gags Archived 2015-09-23 at the Wayback Machine "This crazy Quebec-based troupe uses the city as its stage, and its inhabitants, or victims, as characters! People are caught in a twisted yet funny web of comedic deception. This updated Candid Camera is a tad more risque and a little kookier with its practical jokes. The little snippets last only a few minutes, and some look more painful than others."
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Just Kidding - Episode Guide". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
External links
[edit]- Website
- Production website Archived 2013-04-08 at the Wayback Machine
Just Kidding (TV series)
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Premise and format
Premise
Just Kidding is a Canadian hidden camera reality television series in which children devise and execute elaborate, family-friendly pranks on unsuspecting adults in public locations such as streets, parks, and stores.[1] The program adopts a silent comedic style reminiscent of Candid Camera and Just for Laughs Gags, featuring no spoken dialogue or voiceover narration, with humor derived solely from visual gags accompanied by lighthearted theme music.[4][3] At its core, the series celebrates the ingenuity and unassuming charm of its young performers, who brainstorm prank ideas and carry them out with the aid of a production team, capitalizing on their innocence to surprise and amuse adult victims while emphasizing humor and improv skills.[1] This kid-led approach creates comedic tension through the adults' authentic reactions—ranging from confusion to laughter—while maintaining a wholesome tone that avoids any harm or embarrassment beyond the initial jest.[3] Pranks often involve playful deceptions and absurd setups in public settings, all resolved harmlessly at the end to reveal the gag.[4]Episode format
Episodes of Just Kidding run approximately 22 minutes in length and are structured around 10 to 15 short prank segments, allowing for a fast-paced collection of comedic setups and reactions.[3][4] The standard episode format opens with a host-led introduction that tees up the theme or energy of the show (noting hosts were introduced in later seasons starting 2014), transitioning into the prank segments. Each segment follows a consistent pattern: the child performers collaborate on planning the prank in a brief preparatory scene, followed by the execution through hidden camera footage capturing the unsuspecting adults' bewildered responses in real-time public or everyday settings. The reveal then occurs as the kids emerge to confess, eliciting laughter and surprise, before moving to the next segment. The episode closes with a host wrap-up, recapping highlights and reinforcing the show's lighthearted vibe.[5][6] Visually and aurally, the series embraces a silent comedy style devoid of spoken dialogue during the core pranks, prioritizing physical humor and facial expressions for broad, language-agnostic appeal. Exaggerated sound effects amplify key moments—like slips, surprises, or comedic mishaps—while on-screen text overlays provide essential context, such as prank instructions or reaction labels, without relying on narration. An upbeat, playful theme music underscores the opening, transitions, and closing, maintaining a lively, family-friendly tone throughout.[7] Post-prank elements include short interviews with the targeted adults, who reflect on their initial confusion turning to amusement, and the young pranksters, who detail their creative planning and execution. These segments consistently highlight the harmless, positive intent of the gags, ensuring resolutions that celebrate good-natured fun and mutual enjoyment.[6]Cast and characters
Hosts
The first season of Just Kidding, which premiered on Disney XD in November 2012, was hosted by Zach Fox, a YouTube personality known for his prank videos.[8] Fox served as the on-camera narrator, facilitating pranks by introducing setups and interacting with the child performers to heighten the comedic elements.[9] His role emphasized energetic reactions to the pranks, appealing to the show's young audience through his relatable online fame.[2] For the second season, which returned to Disney XD in November 2014, hosting duties were initially shared by Jason Earles and Tyrel Jackson Williams, both established Disney XD stars from the series Kickin' It and Lab Rats, respectively.[10] Earles and Williams alternated in guiding the pranks, providing narration, coordinating with the kids on execution, and delivering humorous commentary to engage viewers.[11] Later in the season, Calum Worthy, known for his role in the Disney XD series Mighty Med, took over as the primary host.[12] Worthy handled on-camera introductions, prank facilitation, and comedic reactions, often featuring guest appearances from fellow Disney talent to maintain the series' family-friendly appeal.[13] Their selection leveraged their familiarity to young audiences, incorporating celebrity cameos to enhance the show's playful dynamic.[10] This transition continued the tradition of hosts with strong ties to youth-oriented programming, ensuring the show's energetic tone and interaction with child performers remained central.Child performers
The child performers in Just Kidding are the central figures responsible for carrying out all the hidden camera pranks on unsuspecting adults, setting the series apart from similar formats like Candid Camera.[4] These young participants, drawn from a rotating pool of talent rather than a fixed cast, collaborate in groups to execute the schemes, often displaying quick wit and natural comedic timing during on-camera reactions.[14] Examples of performers include siblings Sofiane and Nicolas Laliberté, who appeared in multiple episodes around age 11 during production.[15] Casting emphasizes local talent from Canada, with children selected for their enthusiasm and creativity to ensure engaging, family-friendly content.[16] Representation is inclusive, featuring performers from varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, such as Minji Suh (of Korean heritage) and Gabrielle Shulman, to reflect a broad appeal for young audiences.[17] No single child performer recurs as a lead across the series, allowing fresh dynamics in each prank setup. On-set preparation includes brief training for safe prank execution, with constant adult supervision to prioritize ethical practices and prevent any harm, aligning with Quebec's guidelines for child performers in recorded entertainment.[18] This approach ensures the children's involvement remains fun and age-appropriate, focusing on lighthearted humor without scripted dialogue beyond natural interactions.[19]Production
Development
Just Kidding was created by Pierre Girard and Jacques Chevalier, who developed the concept as a kid-focused spin-off of their established hidden camera series Just for Laughs Gags.[20][1] The format adapted the silent, prank-based comedy of the parent show by placing children in the role of pranksters targeting unsuspecting adults, emphasizing collaboration among young performers to execute elaborate schemes suitable for family viewing. This evolution aimed to carve out a distinct niche in children's television by inverting the typical adult-led prank dynamic prevalent in similar programs.[21][22] Development began in 2011 under production company Juste pour rire: Les Gags Inc., a division of Just for Laughs Television, with Teletoon commissioning six half-hour episodes for a winter 2013 launch. Filming for the first season took place in 2012 ahead of the premiere.[22][20] The series concluded after two seasons, with its final episode airing on November 30, 2014.Filming
Just Kidding was filmed primarily in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where production utilized public streets, parks, and urban environments to generate genuine reactions from bystanders during the hidden camera pranks.[4] The series employed multi-camera hidden setups to discreetly capture the child performers executing pranks on unsuspecting adults, ensuring the spontaneity of the interactions remained intact. Post-production editing focused on tightening the pacing and amplifying the humorous elements of each segment. Filming adhered to ethical standards common in hidden camera productions, with participants informed of the prank immediately after and obtaining their consent for footage use to respect privacy and safety. Season 1 and Season 2 were filmed primarily in locations around Montreal.Broadcast
Canadian premiere
Just Kidding premiered in Canada on the English-language network Teletoon on February 3, 2013.[20] Season 1, comprising 26 episodes, premiered on February 3, 2013, and aired weekly on Teletoon. The second season aired on YTV starting November 8, 2014, and concluded by early 2015, with 16 episodes. The series was broadcast in weekday afternoons to target young audiences, presented in high definition with surround sound.International distribution
The series premiered in the United States on Disney XD on November 19, 2012, ahead of its Canadian debut.[23] The American adaptation featured localized elements, including hosting by YouTube personality Zach Fox and guest appearances by Disney XD stars such as Jason Earles and Tyrel Jackson Williams, distinguishing it from the original Canadian production.[24] This version aired until December 19, 2014.[25] Internationally, Just Kidding has reached audiences in over 150 countries through syndication on various networks and platforms.[26] It broadcast on networks in the United Kingdom, Gulli in France, and additional markets including Australia, Poland, Brazil, Spain, Norway, Turkey, Sweden, and Southeast Asia, typically in dubbed or subtitled formats to accommodate local viewers.[24] In Indonesia, the series aired on Trans TV from November 18, 2012, to April 1, 2015. These distributions were managed by Just for Laughs Distribution, emphasizing the show's appeal for family-oriented comedy programming.[27] Localized editions incorporated regional child performers and hosts where applicable, expanding on the core hidden-camera prank format while adapting cultural nuances for broader accessibility.[28]Episodes
Series overview
Just Kidding is a Canadian live-action hidden camera reality series produced as an original for Teletoon, in co-production with Just For Laughs Gags creators.[20] The show ran for two seasons from 2012 to 2015, comprising a total of 42 episodes with no further renewals.[29] Each episode features kid-performed pranks on adults and runs approximately 22 minutes.[1]| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | Network | Average runtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 | 2012–13 | Teletoon | 22 minutes |
| 2 | 16 | 2014–15 | YTV | 22 minutes |
Season 1 (2012–13)
The first season of Just Kidding consisted of 26 episodes that first aired in the United States on Disney XD from November 2012 to February 2013 and in Canada on Teletoon starting February 3, 2013, introducing the series' format of child performers executing hidden-camera pranks on unsuspecting adults in everyday settings. Hosted by Zach Fox, the season emphasized lighthearted, introductory humor through kid-led setups involving street illusions, fake emergencies, and absurd scenarios to elicit surprised reactions from passersby. Filmed primarily in Montreal during 2012 by production company Just For Laughs, the episodes highlighted simple yet creative pranks to build the show's family-friendly comedic style without relying on verbal dialogue or scripted lines.[2][4][23] The season's pranks often revolved around visual gags and physical comedy, such as simulated accidents or bizarre objects, fostering a sense of playful mischief while ensuring participant safety. Representative episodes showcased the performers' enthusiasm and the adults' bemused responses, setting the tone for the series' ongoing appeal to young audiences.| No. | Title | Air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Picture Perfect | November 19, 2012 | Children set up a photo session with bizarre props like a floating camera, leading to puzzled poses from participants.[30] |
| 2 | Baseball Robot | November 20, 2012 | Kids demonstrate a malfunctioning remote-controlled baseball robot, surprising onlookers. |
| 3 | Scary Tarantula | November 21, 2012 | Performers stage a loose tarantula escape in a public area, prompting panicked assistance from adults.[31] |
| 4 | Frozen Tongue | November 22, 2012 | A child gets their tongue stuck to an ice cream cart's cooler, drawing concerned reactions from adults who try to help.[32] |
| 5 | Human Door Knocker | November 23, 2012 | A kid acts as a living door knocker by banging on a door with their head, confusing homeowners.[31] |
| 6 | Underarm Juice | November 26, 2012 | A child performer spills "juice" from an underarm squirt bottle during a street encounter, surprising onlookers.[31] |
| 7 | Golf | November 27, 2012 | Pranks involve golf-related mishaps set up by kids. |
| 8 | Hockey | November 28, 2012 | Kids stage hockey-themed surprises in public. |
| 9 | Arm Wrestling | November 29, 2012 | Child performers challenge adults to arm wrestling with tricks. |
| 10 | Foosball | November 30, 2012 | Pranks center on a rigged foosball game. |
| 11 | High Five | December 3, 2012 | Kids offer high fives with unexpected twists. |
| 12 | Instruments | December 4, 2012 | Musical instrument pranks disrupt passersby. |
| 13 | Football | December 5, 2012 | Football-themed gags involve fake plays. |
| 14 | Autobiography | December 6, 2012 | Kids pretend to write absurd autobiographies. |
| 15 | Dodge Ball | December 7, 2012 | Dodgeball pranks in unexpected places. |
| 16 | Tyrel Vanishes | December 10, 2012 | A disappearing act prank involving the host's name (note: host is Zach Fox; possible title error or guest). |
| 17 | Extreme Sports | December 11, 2012 | Kids simulate extreme sports fails. |
| 18 | Scared | December 12, 2012 | Scare pranks with jump scares. |
| 19 | Dancing | December 13, 2012 | Forced dance pranks on adults. |
| 20 | Street Performing | December 14, 2012 | Kids perform street acts that go wrong. |
| 21 | Ghost Tyrel | January 7, 2013 | Ghost prank (similar note on name). |
| 22 | Garageys | January 14, 2013 | Garage sale pranks. |
| 23 | Jump Rope | January 21, 2013 | Jump rope challenges with tricks. |
| 24 | Tyrel Leaves | January 28, 2013 | Farewell-themed prank. |
| 25 | Thumb War | February 4, 2013 | Thumb war competitions rigged by kids. |
| 26 | Working Out | February 11, 2013 | Fitness pranks interrupting workouts. |
Season 2 (2014–15)
The second and final season of Just Kidding consisted of 16 episodes and aired on YTV from November 2014 to April 2015.[19] Dual-hosted by Jason Earles and Tyrel Jackson Williams, the season featured more polished pranks with an international flair, including setups in varied cultural contexts and involving celebrity guests from diverse backgrounds.[10] The production emphasized child-led creativity, with the hosts providing guidance and occasional participation in the gags. The series was not renewed after this season, with pre-produced episodes airing until April 2015 following the November 30, 2014 cancellation announcement.[33] The episodes maintained the core format of hidden-camera pranks executed by young performers on unsuspecting adults and celebrities, often turning everyday situations into humorous chaos.| No. in season | Title | Original air date (Canada) | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Just a Pop Star | November 7, 2014 | |
| 2 | Just a Catchphrase | November 15, 2014 | |
| 3 | Just an Illusion | November 22, 2014 | |
| 4 | Just a Pitch | November 29, 2014 | |
| 5 | Just a Laugh | December 6, 2014 | |
| 6 | Just My Assistant | January 17, 2015 | |
| 7 | Just a Prank on Me? | January 24, 2015 | The hosts become the targets in a meta prank, as kids set up scenarios to fool Earles and Williams.[34] |
| 8 | Just Locked In | January 31, 2015 | |
| 9 | Just a Competition | February 7, 2015 | |
| 10 | Just Resting | February 14, 2015 | |
| 11 | Just Behind the Scenes | February 21, 2015 | |
| 12 | Just Fit | February 25, 2015 | |
| 13 | Just a New Look | March 7, 2015 | Kids give surprise makeovers to unsuspecting people, including the hosts.[35] |
| 14 | Just Knitting | March 14, 2015 | |
| 15 | Just a Sneeze | March 25, 2015 | |
| 16 | Just a Cookie | April 1, 2015 |