Digital Social Hour, Episode #1545

Guest: Mr. PutAGirlOn
Air Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly

Episode Overview

In this episode, Sean Kelly sits down with viral internet prankster Mr. PutAGirlOn, renowned for his relentless prank call series and frequent run-ins with Instagram's moderation team. The conversation delves into the rapid rise of Mr. PutAGirlOn’s "day" series, the challenges and legal gray areas of prank content, his vision for expanding creatively, and reflections on the culture of virality, online fame, and life in Cleveland. The dialogue is candid, fast-paced, and carries an irreverent comedic energy throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Social Media Bans and Censorship

• Mr. PutAGirlOn’s Instagram Struggles:
  • Gets banned right before the grand finale of each prank season, seemingly as the algorithms flag his peak engagement days (00:45, 11:34).
  • Quote:
    “They take everything from me, bro. Which is my biggest platform.” – Mr. PutAGirlOn (01:07, 12:01)
• TikTok vs. Instagram:
  • TikTok occasionally mutes his videos but is far less aggressive than Instagram (11:49).
  • Instagram’s temporary monetization disables his main revenue stream monthly (11:18).

2. Origin and Evolution of the Prank Call Series

• Launch Story:
  • Started by accident: first real call happened the night his child was born during a sleepless hospital night (01:47).
  • Went viral fast:
    Quote:
    “Within like the first, like two weeks... just started going crazy.” – Mr. PutAGirlOn (01:36)
• Early Days:
  • Initial viral stretch with Taco Bell prank calls, extending an unplanned first “season” to 40 days (02:16–02:28).
• Repeat Characters:
  • Built rapport and lore around certain employees, especially a Taco Bell worker, scheduling calls when he was on shift (02:38–02:57).

3. Escalation, Legal Risks, and Notable Reactions

• Craziest Threats:

  • Receives bizarre, often inappropriate threats from prank targets (03:34–03:52).
    Quote:
    “People want to just sexually do things to me, bro. I don’t know why, but it’s weird.” – Mr. PutAGirlOn (03:52)

• Getting “Cooked”:

  • As the show gained notoriety, businesses began catching on, increasing call rejection rates and leading to aborted prank seasons, sometimes after just a few days (04:04–04:22).

• Technical Tactics:

  • Uses burner phones, multiple devices, and “*67” blocking, but sometimes staff find ways to call him back after a prank (04:34–05:04).

• Arrest Story:

  • Legal trouble after posing as “Detective Dodge Durango” during a dealership season, resulting in a police warrant and ongoing court case (05:29–06:46).
  • Prosecutor was a self-described fan, highlighting the absurdity of the case (06:48–07:27).

4. Bans, Backlash, and Life Changes

• Lifetime Bans:
  • Barred from Walmart (Steelyard location, “the worst Walmart in America”) and avoids local fast food due to notoriety (07:33–08:08).
  • Navigates Cleveland incognito to avoid pranked employees (07:50).
• Changing Prank Scripts:
  • Adjusts voice and approach to avoid being recognized, hunting for unsuspecting older employees with no online presence (09:05–09:32).

5. Monetization and Platform Dynamics

• Revenue Streams:
  • Cameo, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch supplement his income, with Twitch and Cameo performing best (10:09–10:24).
  • Instagram’s “New Year’s Bonus” was a surprise revenue source (10:33, 11:13).
• Constant Platform Threats:
  • Monthly bans hamper long-term monetization despite millions of monthly views (11:18–11:29).

6. Cease-and-Desist Letters and Fan Feedback

• Pushback from Businesses:
  • Multiple cease and desist letters, especially from retail outlets (Hot Topic, a Chinese restaurant), who display more job loyalty than fast food workers (12:40–13:27).
  • Quote:
    “I feel like retail workers care about their job more than a McDonald’s or fast food place.” – Mr. PutAGirlOn (13:14)
• Notable Emotional Moment:
  • Once felt bad continuing a prank when an employee confided about his girlfriend cheating (24:53–25:14).

7. Creator Philosophy and Ethical Lines

• Comedy Lines:
  • Strives to avoid real harm and keep pranks within a “safe” comedic spectrum, even as the content must escalate for viral appeal (17:53–18:20). Quote:
    “A laugh goes a long way... I get DMs all the time, like, you know, thank you for the laughs... it pulled me out of bed.” – Mr. PutAGirlOn (18:54–19:06)
• Legacy of Prank Calls:
  • Revived a throwback genre reminiscent of The Jerky Boys, catering to nostalgia while updating it for TikTok/IG virality (19:33–19:39).

8. Life in Cleveland & Personal Background

• Isolation as a Creator:
  • Describes Cleveland as a “forgotten city,” lacking creative peers and opportunities compared to larger cities (16:14–16:23).
• Family Ties:
  • Stays in Cleveland for family, especially his son, but contemplates relocating in the future (15:16–15:24).
• Reflections on “Home”:
  • Weighed Cleveland vs. Florida; ultimately prefers Cleveland despite drawbacks (16:46–17:02).

9. Creative Process and Next Steps

• Idea Generation:
  • Keeps a notepad of ideas and scripts, aiming to “piss off” targets in creative ways (17:22–17:28).
• Transition to Skit Comedy:
  • Wants to expand beyond prank calls to fully-produced skits, inspired by creators like Ross Creations and Sam Hyde (28:01–28:38).
• Fan Feedback:
  • Audience demands more calls; they push back when he experiments with skits (28:46–29:06).
    Quote:
    “If I post a skit, they’ll comment…like, ‘Go back to the prank calls.’” – Mr. PutAGirlOn (28:58)

10. Industry Commentary & Reflections

• Viral Culture:
  • Discusses music industry parallels: talent matters less than image and attention—virality is king (21:21–21:39).
• Inspiration:
  • Credits pranksters like Ross Creations, Sam Hyde, and early Nelk Boys for influencing style and ambition (27:57–29:45).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being recognized and running out of targets:
  "I'm running out of places. I can only name, I guess, Cincinnati and Cleveland in Ohio." – Sean (27:37)

• On the genre’s cyclical nature:
  "Everything’s recycled…but I didn’t even know I was doing it." – Mr. PutAGirlOn (19:35)

• On audience impact:
  "A laugh goes a long way… I get DMs all the time… it pulled me out of bed." – Mr. PutAGirlOn (19:06)

• On legal trouble’s absurdity:
  “The prosecutor came up to me…just wanted to say, I’m a huge fan. It’s just a big joke.” – Mr. PutAGirlOn (06:48)

Key Timestamps

• 00:45: First mention of repeated Instagram bans
• 01:47: Origin of prank series after son's birth
• 02:16-02:28: Details of the viral Taco Bell saga
• 05:29-06:46: Legal trouble from car dealership season
• 07:33: Banned from Walmart/avoiding fast food
• 10:09-10:24: Monetization via Twitch, Cameo, IG, TikTok
• 12:40-13:27: Cease-and-desist letters from retail
• 17:22: Creative process—building scripts for pranks
• 18:54–19:06: Emotional impact on fans and creator
• 28:01: Inspirations: Ross Creations, Sam Hyde, OG Nelk

Episode Tone and Style

This conversation is comedic, irreverent, and laced with self-deprecating humor. Mr. PutAGirlOn is open about the absurdity and consequences of his stunts but shows strategic awareness about navigating algorithms, legality, and evolving his brand. The tone is authentic, occasionally brash, with a clear undercurrent of appreciation for internet culture and creative risk-taking.

Closing

• Mr. PutAGirlOn plugs:
  “Serpentini Chevrolet. Bob Serpentini could blow me.” (30:02)
• Final shoutout:
  “Make sure everybody in chat…put a girl on.” (30:13)

Summary prepared for listeners who missed the episode or want a quick refresh on the key takeaways and best moments.