Tracy Morgan and Scott Hallock talk Scare Tactics
Tracy Morgan is a busy man. Along with his role on the NBC comedy 30 Rock, now entering its third season, Tracy is also taking on the reigns of host of the SciFi Channel program Scare Tactics, also in its third season. Premiering on July 9th, Scare Tactics is a hidden-camera, reality-comedy hybrid that allows friends and loved ones to set up unsuspecting victims into a series of horror hoaxes that are staged with movie-style special effects and makeup.
Earlier this week, Tracy, who is the third host of the program after Shannen Doherty and Stephen Baldwin hosted the first two seasons, joined Tactics’ Executive Producer Scott Hallock on a conference call to talk about this upcoming season.
How did Tracy get involved with the series?: Tracy has been a fan of Scare Tactics since the show began. He sites his favorite episode of the series as one involving a wood chipper because it was one of the most honest reactions someone would have to that particular horror. Tracy said that once the reveal was made to the victim it was like watching him breathe in a gulp of fresh air.
Tracy was excited when the producers of Scare Tactics asked him to host the show … it allowed him to do his own rendition of Rod Sterling. As host, Tracy gets to watch others be pranked rather than having others prank on him. And, because the victims don’t see the pranks coming it makes Tactics funny.
How did the show’s premise come about?: According to Scott Hallock, Scare Tactics came about while he was working on the NBC hidden-camera series Spy TV. The concept they came up with was similar to Spy, but infused with horror. As Hallock put it, he wanted to have a show that featured four mini-horror movie segments, complete with special effects and makeup.
Why mix horror and comedy?: Comedy and horror are really close, said Hallock, which made them a perfect match for the show. The program doesn’t go for the meanness factor when it comes to pranking the victims. When things are getting a bit too serious the reveal is made to lighten things up a bit.
How do they maximize safety on the show so no one really gets hurt?: “We take safety really seriously on our sets,” said Hallock. “When the bit is at its height is when we do the reveal.” The Tactics’ producer added that they sweep the area for anything that could be used as a weapon prior to the beginning of the prank. If it looks like the victim is ready to fight, then the reveal is made immediately.
Has anyone not signed the release form to air their segment?: It is very rare that someone decides not to sign the waiver, said Hallock. This season everyone signed the release notices. The only time that someone didn’t sign a release notice was when they were running for office and feared that airing their segment on the show would hurt his chances in the polls.
What makes a good victim: According to Hallock, a good victim is one who is expressive, who will react, get involved in the story and say what is on their mind. Also entertaining are those who take the leadership roles during these scary moments. As an example of a good victim, Hallock mentioned the victim from the this season’s premiere of Scare Tactics. “It was the greatest reaction I have ever seen,” said the show’s producer.
The crew for Scare Tactics: Hallock mentioned that Scare Tactics has one of the larger staffs for a reality-based program. More than 60 people. This doesn’t include the makeup and special effects personnel that are hired for many of the segments. The amount of people are integral in making Scare Tactics the big, cinematic show it is, said Hallock.
Have there been any complicated bits or bits that haven’t gotten on the air?: Hallock said the most complicated bit was the season three premiere “Satan’s Baby.” That’s because you needed the victim to believe that someone was giving birth to a 28-inch spawn of Satan. Hallock and his team have been very lucky that they have had little resistance to their ideas for the show. If anything, ideas have been pulled back if Hallock and his team didn’t think they would work out. Despite that luck, the show is still a bit of a hassle for the network’s legal department. Said Hallock, “The legal department…that’s another story. This is a very scary show for lawyers.”
Do family members ever contribute to prank ideas?: The writers will pass ideas to the family and friends to see if it will work for the victim. They will also take suggestions from friends and family as well. However, they won’t take an idea that will be harmful to the victim. In the example Hallock gave, if the victim is deathly afraid of spiders, they will not put him or her in a room full of them.
Last but not least…
What should Tracy’s prank be if he was a victim on Scare Tactics: The IRS coming to his house to collect taxes.
Sightings: Solange, Selita and Eva
HOT MAMA: Solange Knowles, toasting her upcoming album at a Hennessy-hosted dinner party at the Harrison in New York.
DESPERATE DRESSING: Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker, shopping at an Armani Exchange in NYC.
PREHISTORIC: Stephen Baldwin, playing with a Pleo pet dinosaur toy at the Ronald McDonald House event at Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC.
AB FAB: Kimora Lee Simmons, picking up three dresses and a caftan at Foley & Corinna in Los Angeles.
FAMILY GUY: Chris Meloni and his family, enjoying a vacation at the Maxim Bungalows in the Dominican Republic with a dinner at Social and some time by the pool.
BUNNY JUICE: Amy Smart, sipping Playboy Energy Drink at Hollywood Canteen during the Crank 2 wrap party with Jason Statham and Clifton Collins Jr.
SHOP TALK: Jenna Fischer, Olivia Wilde, Rumer Willis and Ana Ortiz, joining Melissa Richardson and Tara Swennen for the opening of the new Beckley Boutique in West Hollywood.
DINNER & A PARTY: Mariska Hargitay, wearing a fab Etro dress to dinner at Katsuya in Hollywood, while Trent Vanegas celebrated the relaunch of his Pink Is the New Blog website next door at S Bar with Zachary Quinto, Sean Faris and Stephanie Pratt.
PRETTY WOMAN: Selita Ebanks, taking in designer Michelle Smith’s Milly fashion show at the Xchange in NYC.
COMING UP
SELF AWARENESS: Minka Kelly and Monica Seles will join Self magazine’s editor-in-chief Lucy Danziger and publisher Kim Kelleher Wednesday at the Rock Bodies shindig at Espace in New York City. British songbird Estelle will perform.
The Apprentice: Piers Vs. Trace - VIDEO
This coming Thursday, NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice will come to an end. Either the arrogant Brit or the American Cowboy will hear the words “You’re hired.”
In an unsurprising move, Donald Trump decided in last week’s episode to have Piers Morgan and Trace Adkins face off during the final task. This decision goes against that of CNBC’s Erin Burnett and Jim Cramer, brought on to interview the Top 4 contestants, but The Donald knew better than to have Carol Alt and Trace as the final two contestants. Both are really good contestants and played a clean game but, let’s admit it, a live finale with Carol and Trace is not as promising as a Piers and Trace one ratings-wise.
Piers has been a fierce competitor from the start. He knew he had what it took to win the game and was vocal about it. Like him or not, Piers brought flavor to the show. Without him, The Celebrity Apprentice would have been less entertaining. He gave us the Piers and Omarosa debacle, Stephen Baldwin almost quit the show because of Piers, he had The Sopranos’ Vincent Pastore infiltrate the women’s team, and so much more! Piers also raised a lot of money for the game; he is the celebrity who brought in the most cash.
Trump could have fired Piers many times but he knew that ratings and watercooler chatter would be affected by it. Therefore, Trump protected the America’s Got Talent judge and even gave him a spot in the final two, saying over and over again that he wanted a U.S. vs. U.K. face off.
As for the cowboy, Trace played a clean game. He may not have been as talkative as Piers but Trace stepped up when he had to (e.g., when he had to host that QVC segment without rehearsals) and was a team player throughout all tasks. Even if he is a quiet player, Trace offered us some fun moments: His non-verbal expressions when dealing with the Backstreet Boys last week were priceless!
Personally, I don’t know who should win. Piers probably played the best game but it was an ugly one. Trace was not always 100% involved in the tasks but played a clean game. The winner will be announced this Thursday during the two-hour live finale of the show on NBC.
Will Stephen Baldwin leave Celebrity Apprentice this Thursday? - VIDEO
Even if you don’t watch The Celebrity Apprentice, it’s pretty much a given that you watched this week’s preview (after the jump) during which we see Stephen Baldwin tell Donald Trump that he can’t continue working with Piers Morgan.
Let’s face it, Baldwin and the America’s Got Talent judge have not been seeing eye to eye from the very beginning of the show. Even if they somewhat worked well together on the tasks, their business relationship was pretty much a hate-hate one or at least a “I’m tolerating you because I have to.” But in light of the Vincent Pastore fiasco from last week, Baldwin has had enough and may give The Donald his resignation… or will he?
During last week’s boardroom, Stephen Baldwin, described on NBC’s site as an “actor, author, producer and family man,” has expressed his feelings and opinion for Piers and the “rat” ordeal. During the episode, Stephen played along with the spying game at first but eventually changed his mind and decided to support Pastore.
As shown in the previews, Baldwin is not a happy camper with the fact Piers is still part of the show and will let Trump know. Therefore, the watercooler question of the day is: Will Baldwin leave The Apprentice or not this Thursday? Personally, I think that he will listen to his own recommendation and join the women’s team (remember he told Donald that maybe Vincent could stay and officially join Empresario). Even if Baldwin is not the most popular actor around these days, the ex-Celebrity Mole contestant is one of the strongest Apprentice players this season.
We will learn Stephen Baldwin’s fate this Thursday on NBC.