With the current political climate amidst the pandemic and with the recent typhoons plowing through the Philippines, a prank depicting violence seems to be a little too much.
Here’s why:
Firstly, for context, Lunch Out Loud hosts pulled a prank on their noontime show for guest-host Valerie Concepcion. Hosts Bayani Agbayani and Billy Crawford pretended to fight on the set of the noontime show. When the situation became tense that it almost became violent, Bayani and Billy revealed the stunt as a prank.
Earlier, Billy pranked James Reid by calling him on live TV to ask for money, which in all honesty, is obviously distasteful.
Here are some of the varying reactions of netizens. Some may have laughed it off as another cringe-worthy scene. Others found the whole prank as a tired publicity stunt that needs rest.
https://twitter.com/gresyela_/status/1328763941820932096
https://twitter.com/dyndarunday/status/1328623581660540929
Kawawa naman ang show na to. Wala nang maisip na magandang content. Una, prank call, ngayon “away” naman. @paulsalarm
— r2 (@r2rivs) November 17, 2020
Cheap
— JC Castillo (@jack_ass143) November 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/ASustituedo/status/1328945290137784321
Anong gimik yan LOL sa tv 5 bakit may away? Live ba yown?
Billy and Bayani??? Paki explain!
— Astroboy31 (@Teddy91070751) November 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/tramadolomite/status/1329187514590982144
Kulang sa publicity
— Join Snow (@Elreigh) November 18, 2020
Now, we understand that the show needed publicity to improve ratings and to get the viewer’s attention. We see the show’s efforts in finding ways to gain more audience. But honestly, the showrunners need to step up and find more inventive ways to increase their demographic.
A prank of a violent nature that may cause emotional distress to onlookers is problematic and insensitive, especially in our current situation wherein people are suffering. We have enough on our plate with the typhoons and the COVID-19 pandemic. Both of which already cause mental and emotional stress.
Additionally, people are just plain tired of pranks that glorify violence and toxic masculinity. Our political climate is already sensitive enough that we don’t need to add fuel to the fire. Hopefully, showrunners of noontime programs can create more relevant and meaningful content that can help in these trying times.
