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Carlson Gets Pranked

Carlson Gets Pranked

FromTucker Carlson - Audio Biography


Carlson Gets Pranked

FromTucker Carlson - Audio Biography

ratings:
Length:
6 minutes
Released:
Mar 28, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

In a stunning display of gullibility, Tucker Carlson, the controversial former Fox News anchor, has fallen victim to an elaborate prank orchestrated by British YouTubers Josh & Archie. The duo successfully duped Carlson into interviewing a fake whistleblower claiming to have insider knowledge about the infamous edited photo of Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. The incident has left Carlson red-faced and raised questions about the journalistic integrity of his new venture, the Tucker Carlson Network, which streams on Twitter (now known as X). The prank revolved around the Mother's Day image of Kate Middleton, which had been poorly doctored and subsequently caught the attention of the public. Archie Manners, one half of the YouTube duo, posed as a former digital content creator for the Prince and Princess of Wales, claiming to have been fired for his shoddy editing work on the photo. To lend credibility to their ruse, Manners and his co-conspirator, Josh Pieters, went to great lengths to forge Kensington Palace employment documents, which they presented to Carlson's team as proof of Manners' supposed former position. Shockingly, Carlson's staff failed to spot the absurdity of the faked documents, which included a clause stating that the palace had the right to amputate one of Manners' limbs should he fail his probation period. This outrageous detail should have immediately raised red flags, but instead, Carlson's team accepted the story at face value and arranged for Manners to be interviewed by Carlson via a hotline from a London studio. The YouTubers' video captures the moment when Carlson introduces his guest, stating, "We've done our best to verify that your identity is what you say it is. You're not a fake [Alexei] Navalny or doing a prank." The irony of this statement is not lost on viewers, as Carlson himself has fallen victim to the very prank he sought to avoid. Manners, fully in character, proceeded to spin a tale about the editing job being "almost too big to do" and claimed that the photo had originally featured a Christmas tree in the background, which he had to remove. Carlson, seemingly enthralled by the fabricated story, can be heard saying, "It is an amazing story." After the interview, he even complimented Manners, telling him, "That was great." Carlson's staff later informed Manners that they planned to stream the exchange "early next week," further highlighting their complete lack of due diligence in verifying the authenticity of the claims. However, Manners and Pieters had a change of heart and decided to blow their cover before the interview could be aired to Carlson's 12.6 million followers on X. In an interview with Deadline, Manners explained their decision, stating, "We didn't want to cause any more rumors, that are not true, to go out to lots and lots of people. We just didn't want to be too worthy about that in our video." The YouTubers recognized the potential harm that spreading disinformation could cause and chose to prioritize truth over the potential views and attention their prank could have garnered. Manners also revealed that he had deliberately "stroked" Carlson's ego during the interview, claiming that he had chosen to give the former Fox News anchor the exclusive because "mainstream media in the UK wouldn't touch it." This tactic played into Carlson's well-known disdain for mainstream media and likely contributed to his willingness to believe the fabricated story. The incident has not only exposed Carlson's gullibility but also raised serious concerns about the journalistic standards of his new venture, the Tucker Carlson Network. As a prominent figure with a massive following, Carlson has a responsibility to ensure that the information he presents to his audience is accurate and thoroughly vetted. Falling for such an obvious prank undermines his credibility and calls into question the reliability of the content he produces. Moreover, the ease with which Josh & Archie were able to dece
Released:
Mar 28, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (12)

Tucker Carlson: A Controversial Figure in the Landscape of American News Tucker Carlson, the name synonymous with provocative political commentary and high ratings, is a complex figure defying easy categorization. He's a conservative broadcaster, a cultural provocateur, and a media icon, wielding the megaphone of the popular "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Fox News. His rise to stardom has been meteoric, but it's also been riddled with controversy, leaving audiences and critics alike scrambling to understand the man behind the microphone. From Journalism to Cable Giant: Born in San Francisco in 1969, Carlson's early life was steeped in privilege and intellectual curiosity. He attended elite boarding schools and graduated from Trinity College with a history degree. His journalistic career began with fact-checking at the conservative magazine Policy Review, followed by stints at various publications like The Weekly Standard and Esquire. It was his move to television, first on CNN and then MSNBC, that propelled him into the public eye. His outspoken conservative perspectives, delivered with a sardonic wit, garnered both fans and detractors. Breaking the Mold at Fox News: In 2009, Carlson landed at Fox News, initially hosting a daytime talk show. But it was his 2016 primetime slot that launched "Tucker Carlson Tonight" into the stratosphere. The show's format, a blend of monologue, interviews, and pre-recorded segments, resonated with a segment of the American audience hungry for a stark take on the news. Carlson's unapologetically conservative voice, his talent for framing issues in stark binaries, and his willingness to tackle controversial topics fueled the show's popularity. A Master of Controversy: Carlson's success cannot be separated from the controversy that shrouds him. His critics accuse him of spreading misinformation, stoking racial and cultural divisions, and promoting conspiracy theories. They point to his segments questioning climate change, promoting skepticism about the 2020 election, and his sympathy for white nationalist viewpoints. Supporters, on the other hand, see him as a fearless truth-teller, a lone voice challenging the liberal media establishment and defending traditional American values. Beyond the Show: Carlson's influence extends beyond "Tucker Carlson Tonight." He founded and currently serves as the editor-in-chief of The Daily Caller, a conservative news website. He's also a prolific author, with several books to his name. His social media presence is equally impactful, commanding a loyal following and generating viral content. Legacy and Implications: Tucker Carlson's legacy is still being written. His ascendance to the pinnacle of cable news reflects the changing media landscape and the growing prominence of conservative voices. His style has redefined political commentary, blurring the lines between news and opinion. Whether loved or loathed, there's no denying that Tucker Carlson has become a defining figure in contemporary American media, his voice shaping national conversations and influencing millions. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.