‘Stranger Things’ star addresses “negativity” around prank show concept

June 21, 2019

Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo (aka Dustin) has responded to the backlash of his upcoming Netflix prank show.

To take it back a step, the new series was announced a week ago with the synopsis:

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“Each episode of this terrifying and hilarious prank show takes two complete strangers who each think they’re starting their first day at a new job. It’s business as usual until their paths collide and these part-time jobs turn into full-time nightmares.”

While some are excited for Matarazzo, people online are pissed about the show tricking people into thinking they have jobs that don’t exist.

If this happens I’ll be dropping @netflix in a heartbeat and begrudgingly pirate @Stranger_Things. WTF are they thinking?https://t.co/O3LHgQKRZ7

— JT (@ThreeFDDI) June 15, 2019

‘Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo To Host & Executive Produce Hidden-Camera Prank Show For Netflix.

Need a job desperately? Haha. Let’s pretend you got one!

For actual fcuk’s sake. Theatre of cruelty on steroids. https://t.co/JNWpGLcPYS via @Deadline

— Chris M’Gra (@ChrisMGra) June 15, 2019

Then, Netflix came to the defense of the Stranger Things star, giving some clarification on the premise of the show in a statement to CNBC.

“The pranks in ‘Prank Encounters’ are spooky, supernatural, and over the top, and everyone had a great time. All participants came in with the expectation this was a one-day, hourly gig and everyone got paid for their time.”

Now, Mazzarato spoke out himself about all the hate the show is getting.

“Thank you guys for your concern for these people. It means so much to me and the rest of the producers of the show. We hope you enjoy the show, and we are very excited to show you all what we’ve created❤️ and sorry you can only see half of my face. I don’t know what happened there,” he captioned a video explaining it all.

“I just want to let everyone know that those who participated were fully aware it was going to be a one-day gig going in. No one was promised a part-time or full-time job and everyone was compensated,” he says in the video. “Those who did participate had an amazing time.”

View this post on Instagram

Thank you guys for your concern for these people. It means so much to me and the rest of the producers of the show. We hope you enjoy the show, and we are very excited to show you all what we’ve created❤️ and sorry you can only see half of my face. I don’t know what happened there?

A post shared by Gaten Matarazzo (@gatenm123) on Jun 20, 2019 at 5:14am PDT

The idea for the new show comes from Propagate and will have executive producers Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Kevin Healy and Rob Hyde on board. Anthony Gonzales, the director behind Undercover Boss and Dance Moms, will also be working on the show.

The new series will run for eight episodes, though an exact release date has not been given.

Stranger Things third season premieres on Netflix July 4. Recently, a poster revealed a closer look at the new monster for this season.

If you haven’t seen it yet, watch a brand-new trailer for the season in the player below.