Scare Tactics

For the 1990s comic book series published by DC Comics, see Scare Tactics (comics).
For the use of fear in attempting to influence others, see Fear mongering
Scare Tactics
Format Reality Television Comedy
Starring Shannen Doherty (2003-2004)
Stephen Baldwin (2004-2005)
Tracy Morgan (2008-present)
Country of origin  United States
Production
Executive producer(s) Kevin Healey
Scott Hallock
Running time 23 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel Syfy
Original run April 2003 (2003-04) – present

Scare Tactics is a hidden camera/comedy television show, produced by Hallock Healey Entertainment. Its first two seasons aired from April 2003 to December 2004. After a hiatus, the show returned for a third season, beginning July 9, 2008. The first season of the show was hosted by Shannen Doherty. Stephen Baldwin took her place in the middle of the second season. Since the beginning of the third season, the show has been hosted by Tracy Morgan. The fourth season began on October 6, 2009.

In Europe the first season of the program aired on MTV Central from 2003 to 2004. The show is also broadcast in Australia on FOX8, in Canada on MuchMusic, in India on AXN, in Russia on MTV Russia (only first two seasons), in Turkey on Dream TV, in Poland on TV Puls, in Finland on Jim, in Sweden on TV6 a short time. And now also on TV11.

Contents

Format

Scare Tactics is a set-up, hidden camera prank show that puts "actor" victims into terrifying situations, usually involving movie-style special effects and makeup that recreates horror movie clichés. The victims, generally four per episode, are set up by friends/family in tandem with producers.

The actors on the show were usually lured to some location, either invited there by people they know (who were in on the act), or reporting for what they thought was a new job. Soon they would experience some kind of terrifying scene — like a strange monster, a terrible accident, or a violent crime being committed – all of which was staged while the victim was secretly being video recorded from multiple camera angles.

There are some instances where the victims are lured into the pranks on the promise of being on a fake reality show called "Fear Antics" which plays off like a show similar to MTV's Jackass but end with dire consequences. In Season 3, one of the contestants was lured into a fake show called "Dog Catchers", which was a parody of Cheaters. One additional fake show used to dupe the Scare Tactics victims is known as "Truthisodes," which is a generic conspiracy theory show that claims "the government is lying to you".

The pranks would end when the victim was completely terrified and someone would ask them, "Are you scared?" to which they usually replied in the affirmative. They would then get the reply, "You shouldn't be! You're on Scare Tactics!" or "I'll have to/I'm gonna put you on Scare Tactics!" In some instances, the pranks have ended when the victims "get violent" with the actors pulling the prank, or the victim running out of the controlled environment the prank is played out in.

List of Scare Tactics episodes

Season one

Season two

Season three

Season four

See also

References

External links