Jordan Peele Rebooting Prank Series Scare Tactics

USA Network has greenlit the unscripted comedy-horror series Scare Tactics, with Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions on board.

A reimagining of the popular prank series of the same name that first aired in 2003, Scare Tactics sees unwitting participants, set up by their friends and family, put in twisted scenarios with fully immersive stories that blur the lines of reality, horror and comedy. The reboot promises a cinematic approach to the hidden-camera concept.

Scare Tactics is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Monkeypaw Productions and WMTI Productions.

“As one of the most visionary creators of the day, there is nothing Jordan Peele can’t do,” said Corie Henson, executive VP of unscripted content at NBCUniversal Entertainment. “We’re honored to be making our first unscripted series together. This brilliant reimagining of the classic Scare Tactics has it all—laughs, jump-scares and outrageous moments. In the hands of Jordan and Monkeypaw, you never know what’s coming next!”

“We’re so grateful at Monkeypaw to help reimagine one of our all-time favorite hidden-camera shows,” said Win Rosenfeld, president of Monkeypaw Productions. “Working with showrunner Elan Gale, one of the most creative and mischievous minds in unscripted television, and Scott Hallock, the brilliant creator of the original Scare Tactics, has been an absolute blast. It’s cathartic and hilarious to watch people get a little scared, and the scenarios we cooked up for this season are really wild. We can’t wait to share a little lighthearted schadenfreude with audiences soon.”

“What do you get when you combine Jordan Peele, hidden cameras, unsuspecting people and horror-movie scenarios? You’re about to find out!” said Toby Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. “Working with Monkeypaw Productions, NBCU and USA Network to bring one of the most creatively scary and hilarious projects to life has been a phenomenal experience. We can’t wait for audiences to join in the fun of our first unscripted project with Jordan as it perfectly blends horror, humor and reality.”

“Reimagining Scare Tactics with Jordan, Monkeypaw and UTAS has been a dream come true,” said executive producer Scott Hallock. “Fans have been asking us to bring Scare Tactics back for years, and working with this team was an amazing opportunity. There’s no one better at horror and comedy than Jordan and Monkeypaw.”