Who hasn't seen the Just for Laughs Gags series? You know, the locally-produced hidden-camera show where "unsuspecting" victims are the targets of practical jokes? It's aired in something like 75 countries. But if you thought the show highlighted Montreal around the world, you'd be sadly mistaken: it doesn't. In fact, custom editions are produced in different countries, so where you are watching determines what pranks and backdrops you see. Take this naked lady in the Portakabin .. please! You'd never see a stunt like this on North American airwaves. In fact, this version of Just For Laughs Gags was filmed by a British crew and it airs on the BBC.
Here's another, all-too-familiar setup: mayhem with the cops, only in this case they're bobbies. They stop their "unknowing" victim on the high street for some routine paper-checking. And then some yob cranks up the boom box.
Lo and behold! A bobby breaks into a dance.
And so does his colleague.
Stop! Stop! You're killing me already.
Why it's almost as funny as it is back home ... unfortunately.
Wasn't there a scandal recently when it was revealed that some of the gags are staged? I heard that they often re-shoot the expressions of the "victims" to make them look more surprised...
ReplyDeleteIs this karaoke comedy?
Make no mistake, I watched "Gags" on an Austrian Airlines in flight movie between Vienna and London: I was probably the only Canadian on board let alone Montrealer, and never felt prouder to see my city so well represented. It nearly brought a tear to this homesick road weary traveller. I just wish it was real...
I met a guy in Asia who said ...."Montreal, that's the city where they make that excellent Gags show."
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