I'm going to be in the minority. In fact, I'm probably going to be the only person on this entire blog that feels this way. I know this already.

That said, there is a line between funny and just plain mean. This practical joke did not even "straddle the line." It boldly strode right over that line and settled comfortably into the realm of cruelty.

Well, I'm not the lone voice in this, after all. It wasn't just the fact that they scared people, but look at the setting. It's a job interview in a decidedly upscale environment. These people probably spent a lot of time and money preparing, perhaps enduring "first interviews," building their hopes up, and maybe thinking this was a big break into something really important. Important enough to consider doing for the next forty years of their lives.

Then they get there, and the message is, "Oh, there's no job interview. All the time, money and stress you invested in this was for nothing. We just wanted to prank you and video record your response to show off how convincing our product was and so millions of people can laugh at you while you're in mortal terror. Funny, right?"

No.

well, Patrick, count me in that minority with you.

I get what they were trying to do with that TV commercial; but, it wasn't funny.

This is how I'd react to those who try to scare me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaEfU47QY_k

I still laugh every time I watch this reaction. It is an AFV clip from years ago.

Well, thank you, Charles and Amy. A friend of mine posted this on this wall with the comment, "I so want to do this. Hilarious."

And I said basically what I said here, and I'm course I'm being deluged with condescending remarks, "You do realize this is an LG commercial. I hate to be the one to break it to you."

Of course I'm aware of that. He didn't break anything to me. Doesn't change the fact that it's real people being set up to be placed in fear of their lives. And perhaps fear of the end of civilization as we know it.

And of course, if you really do want to make it your business to scare people, there's the distinct possibility that it can backfire on you. (Now, that's funny! As long as the prankster wasn't seriously hurt.)

By the way, Charles. Have you watched any more of Nunsense?

Patrick, that backfire clip reminds me of what I almost did to a friend in NYC several years ago. She had moved to the city just a few months before.

One day, as I was walking along the platform in the subway, I walked by her and didn't notice her. She reached out and grabbed my bakcpack to get my attention. Under normal circumstances I would have just turned around to see who to was. But, as I explained to her, in the subway, when someone "grabs" your backpack the instinctive reaction is to "fight." I almost hit her like that clip! We both laugh about it today. And she is now more "street-smart" than when she first moved to the city.

And, yes, I watched all of Nunsense. I loved it! I don't usually care for musicals; but, I do want to see it live someday. Thanks for the link!

I agree with you guys, too, I thought that was really shitty. I know how feel if it happened to me, and I wouldn't want that to happen to me, or anyone else.

Creeps.

It was a crappy thing to do. I'm thinking a paperweight or a shoe through the TV would have been appropriate.

I noticed that nobody brought their kitten or mother to the interview.

I'm glad you enjoyed Nunsense, Charles. I especially enjoyed Sister Mary Amnesia's number in which she brought out the puppet. (Since you love horrible puns, did you happen to catch the puppet-nun's name? Sister Mary Annette?)

I particularly loved that whole section of the video. Semina de Laurentis (who played Sister Mary Amnesia) was hilarious (and the owner of the best voice in that whole show).

Did you also like the scene where Reverend Mother innocently and unintentionally got herself stoned?

Even if someone didn't have a heart condition, jokes like this are dangerous. A fleeing person could fall and seriously hurt themselves.

And Charles, I'm so glad you didn't slug your friend. And I can definitely understand why someone grabbing your backpack in a NY subway would trigger a fight response.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/DFW-Airport-Police-Targeted-TSA-in-Sting-Operation-222618731.html

Hey, Bob in Texas. I hope Amy saw your article. I'm sure she'd be interested in that.