MTV's Punk'd is pulling the ultimate prank on prime time programming as it heads into what they swear is its final season. Three days before the season premiere, the network is showing all eight episodes back-to-back on a Saturday afternoon. MTV says the "Sneak Peak Marathon" on April 7th is a way of getting people interested in seeing Ashton Kutcher's hidden camera series-- the way other networks put episodes on the Internet. They say they don't expect it will cut into the prime time ratings-- but they're keeping their fingers crossed.
The weekly format launches at 9 pm on April 10th. MTV hopes the show will be the anchor of its Tuesday night block that includes the new series Scarred and Living Lahaina.
Magic Johnson, Nelly Furtado, Jewel and Hilary Swank are among the celebs who will be victims of the show's hidden camera pranks. The season will also feature a Punk'd Awards show, hosted by Kutcher, honoring the best of eight seasons.
The special airs June 5th. In keeping with MTV's new tradition, they'll probably announce the winners in advance.
(MTV has announced the cancellation of Punk'd before, but it turned out to be a ruse so they could continue to prank celebs. Again, they promise it's really going this time.)