Prank Patrol (Australian TV series)
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television entertainment |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | David Hansen |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia, United Kingdom |
Key people | Scott "Scotty" Tweedie (host) |
| Products | Television series |
| Parent | Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |
Prank Patrol—known as Prank Patrol: Road Trip in its third season and referred to as Prank Patrol Down Under within the UK—is the Australian version adapted from the Canadian Prank Patrol series. Developed by David Hansen and produced by ABC's Active Television, the program was broadcast on ABC3 (currently ABC Entertainment) between 2009 and 2013. Scott “Scotty” Tweedie served as the host throughout its three-season run, which comprised a total of 86 episodes.
Premise
The show centers on Scotty alongside his ninja team who help children orchestrate elaborate pranks targeting family members or friends. Each installment features planning sessions at their "HQ," where experts in special effects, costumes, and other prank-related fields contribute their skills. The unsuspecting target is enticed via a phone call, leading up to the final surprise moment, punctuated by the phrase, "you've been pranked by the prank patrol!"
Recipe for a Prank
Mirroring the original Canadian format, this filler segment is an animated short that guides viewers through the steps required to set up a practical joke.
Ninjas on the Loose
In public settings, the Ninjas execute spontaneous pranks such as concealing themselves behind park benches to create noises or startle passersby. Early footage for these segments was sourced from the UK adaptation.
Episodes
| Season | Number of Episodes | Original Broadcast Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Start | Season End | |||
| 1 | 26 | 4 December 2009 | 12 January 2010 | |
| 2 | 39 | 19 September 2011 | 23 November 2012 | |
| 3 | 21 | 16 September 2013 | 14 October 2013 | |
Production
The Australian adaptation was produced by ABC and draws from the Canadian original concept. The inaugural season consisted of twenty-five episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 25 minutes. On April 15, 2010, a second season comprising thirty-nine episodes was confirmed. Production commenced on August 2, 2010, with filming split between Melbourne—where twenty-six episodes were shot—and Brisbane, which hosted production for thirteen episodes.