tech
'Our lead actor doesn’t know he’s in a television show!' The return of an unbelievable TV hoax
Jury Duty’s first season convinced a member of the public he was taking part in a documentary about how courts work – but it was really a reality show where everyone else was actors. Its company retreat-based sequel ups the stakes brilliantly
TL;DR
- Jury Duty's first season was a hit for deceiving Ronald Gladden into believing he was in a courtroom documentary when it was a staged reality show.
- The second season, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, follows Anthony Norman, who believes he is participating in a documentary about a hot sauce company.
- The production team has increased the scale and complexity of the hoax for season two, using more cameras and a larger filming area.
- Casting the 'hero' is crucial, focusing on traits like kindness, empathy, and a sense of humor, and ensuring they will appreciate the deception.
- The show's creators aim to create a positive and uplifting experience for the unsuspecting participant, even with the inherent risks of the elaborate hoax.