Smosh Reads Reddit Stories: "Jokes On Us | Reading Reddit Stories"

Released: January 17, 2026
Host: Shane (Shayne Topp)
Guests: Courtney, Arasha
Theme: Pranks

Episode Overview

This riotous episode dives into the theme of pranks, exploring the fine (and often blurry) line between good-natured goofs and mean-spirited antics. From fake dietary choices to emotionally devastating deceptions, the Smosh crew unpacks various Reddit stories about pranking gone right––and very, very wrong. Expect the classic mix of laughter, incredulity, and sharp commentary from Shayne and his couch companions, Courtney and Arasha.

Prank Warm-Up & Episode Kickoff

[02:03 – 05:25]

• The episode begins with a series of goofy meta-pranks among the hosts. Shane fake-starts the episode by pretending no guests are present, only to be joined by Courtney and Arasha, who continue the faux confusion.
• Arasha wears a trench coat set-up and tries, unsuccessfully, to prank the others with a whoopee cushion ("She has a whoopee cushion taped to her ass, by the way." – Courtney, [03:05]). The prank’s failure adds to the hilarity.
• Shane officially announces the episode’s theme: PRANKS. The group reflects on how Reddit pranks often lean toward the cruel or pointlessly committed, rather than clever fun ("They're almost always mean and horrible." – Shane, [05:16]).

Story 1: The Appletarian Prank

[05:37 – 14:04]

Story Summary

A Redditor pretends for three weeks to become an “Appletarian”—eating only apple-based foods to prank friends—culminating in a staged intervention and ultimately, a breakup with his girlfriend.

Key Discussion Points

• The Smosh crew is bewildered by the duration and scope of the commitment.
• Courtney points out that, though funny at arm’s length, it’s disruptive and pointless for actual friends ("There's no payoff." – Courtney, [08:40]).
• Arasha highlights pranks in a public setting (like a comedy channel) can have a justifiable payoff; this, by contrast, is just needling friends.
• Shane discusses the nutritional and physiological impossibility: "Three weeks of only apples and apple juice. There's no way you're feeling good." [09:18]
• The intervention and breakup signal that the prank did real social harm.
• The group oscillates between finding the commitment hilarious and the premise truly pointless ("When you think about it, you're like, wait, why would you do that? And you're like, wait, that's awesome." – Arasha, [12:11]).

Notable Quotes

• "Cause there's like, what's the payoff? ... For him, I'm like, what's the—yeah, you tell everyone. They go, great." – Shane [08:40]
• "He committed to it. Nobody's filming it." – Courtney, [12:19]

Verdict

Mild Amusement but Socially Clueless – The prank is absurd but more baffling than mean.

Story 2: The Annoying Beeper – Emotional Warfare

[17:49 – 30:30]

Story Summary

A woman posts about her boyfriend planting a beeping device (an "Annoying PCB") in her room, driving her to paranoia and sleep deprivation, especially during her stressful first week at a new job. The boyfriend gaslights her before revealing it was a prank.

Key Discussion Points

• The crew unanimously agrees this is not a prank but psychological torture.
• Shane: "This isn't a prank. This is torture." [25:32]
• The boyfriend’s continued “beep beep beep” texts after the reveal are flagged as insensitive and, frankly, disturbing.
• The context is crucial—the girlfriend had already communicated needing seriousness and support, and her anxiety was exacerbated by the “prank”.
• The panel reflects on boundaries, communication, and consent in relationships.

Notable Quotes

• "If somebody is actively being like, I am not in a good place. I'm actually anxious and I can't sleep. How is that not like setting off alarms?" – Arasha, [29:16]
• "He enjoys torturing you." – Shane, [24:36]

Verdict

Massive Red Flag – Emotional Abuse: The prank exposes serious issues in the relationship; the advice is unanimous that she should leave.

Story 3: Faked Death Prank

[30:41 – 37:38]

Story Summary

A man fakes his own death for two weeks to “prank” his girlfriend of four years. On revealing the truth, he finds her devastated and reconsidering the relationship.

Key Discussion Points

• The group is stunned by the scale and cruelty of the prank.
• Courtney: “Death isn’t funny. Like, death, losing a loved one isn’t funny. There’s no joy in that.” [34:00]
• The emotional trauma inflicted cannot be undone—Shane compares it to genuinely traumatic experiences, which don’t “go away” just because it was a joke.
• Even OP’s regret and therapy-seeking are not enough to redeem the act.
• The panel concludes there’s no path back to a healthy relationship.

Notable Quotes

• "That's not something that someone can get past." – Arasha, [35:26]
• "Good God, dude. Oh my God, be an appletarian or something." – Shane, [35:49]

Verdict

Irredeemable Cruelty – No hope for the relationship, beyond-the-pale behavior.

Story 4: The Friendship “Test”

[39:51 – 48:20]

Story Summary

A platonic male friend helps a female friend (Jess) with moving. Her best friend Kim has long believed he “wants to get in her pants.” Jess tests him by faking interest; when he reciprocates, she claims vindication and is upset. He skips helping her move.

Key Discussion Points

• The Smosh crew finds the “test” manipulative and unfair.
• Courtney notes how this “test” avoids honest communication and sets up a no-win situation.
• Shane: “I hate tests. Anytime...what are you doing?”
• The group notes any real friendship requires communication, not set-ups.
• Jess’s emotional reaction transfers blame unfairly; her use of help for the move becomes part of the manipulation.

Notable Quotes

• “This isn’t a good test. There’s no control.” – Courtney, [44:16]
• “That’s not a friend.” – Shane, [44:41]

Verdict

Unkind and Immature – Not a prank, just a poorly handled, manipulative situation.

Story 5: Starbucks Prank Name & Van Shoes

[48:33 – 62:24]

Story Summary

A Redditor pranks a Starbucks barista by giving the name “I need more head.” The barista, offended, hurls the drink (ruining his Vans) and refuses a replacement. The OP reports her to the manager; in comments, he claims—unconvincingly—to be a 13-year-old.

Key Discussion Points

• The crew lands squarely on the barista’s side, especially given the daily abuse service workers take.
• Courtney and Shane are skeptical of OP’s claim to be 13, noting the writing style and details.
• The group discusses the difference between consensual, rapport-based jokes and pranking total strangers ("Don’t prank strangers.“ — Shane, [53:43])
• The name joke itself is deemed unfunny and cringe, especially in a workplace context.

Notable Quotes

• "I kind of love throwing the drink, honestly. It's like you get someone at their wit's end." – Courtney, [50:34]
• “It was sexual harassment. Haven’t you been living in the modern world?” – Reddit comment read by Shane, [57:58]

Verdict

Asshole Move – Sexual harassment, disrespect, and a clear lack of empathy. Adult-OP-pretending-to-be-13 speculation adds another layer.

Story 6: Divorce Announcement on April Fool’s

[65:35 – 74:39]

Story Summary

On April 1st, after getting a text to attend an urgent family meeting, a man listens to a somber family announcement about an affair-driven divorce. Believing it’s an April Fool’s prank, he laughs and slow-claps, only to discover it’s painfully real.

Key Discussion Points

• The crew picks apart the awkwardness and social cues—a newbie to the family, wrong day to make jokes, undeniably bizarre setting for a divorce announcement.
• Shane: “This is so curb your enthusiasm.” [69:23]
• Courtney suggests that, though the OP committed a gaffe, the context (April 1st, family group meeting) is odd enough to justify his mistake—a little.
• The real villain, however, remains the cheating spouse. The OP is just the family buffoon.

Notable Quotes

• “This is so curb your enthusiasm.” – Shane, [69:23]
• “He’s the jester.” – Courtney, [73:09]

Verdict

Cringe but Relatable Buffoonery – Socially awkward, but not malicious. Rightly mortified.

Meta Moments & Final Reflections

[74:45 – 76:43]

• Arasha jokingly claims she wrote one of the stories ("I pranked you. I wrote one of those stories." – Arasha, [75:01]), highlighting how blurred truth can be in Reddit storytelling.
• The crew note that except for the friendship “test,” all pranksters were men—prompting reflection on pattern and intent.
• In closing, they agree that, in retrospect, the “Appletarian” prank was by far the least harmful—even bordering on “adorably pointless” compared to the emotional carnage wrought in other stories ("I'll give you a pass." – Courtney, [75:37]).

Key Episode Quotes

• “A prank is not a prank unless the person you’re pranking enjoys it.” – Shane, [25:14]
• “This isn’t a prank. This is torture.” – Shane, [25:32]
• “That’s not a friend.” – Shane, [44:41]
• "Don't prank strangers." – Shane, [53:43]

Episode Flow (Major Story Timestamps)

• [05:37] Story 1: The Appletarian prank
• [17:49] Story 2: The Annoying Beeper/Emotional warfare
• [30:41] Story 3: The Faked Death prank
• [39:51] Story 4: The Friendship Test
• [48:33] Story 5: Starbucks prank name
• [65:35] Story 6: Divorce on April Fool’s Day
• [74:45] Final reflections, meta-discussion

Overall Takeaways

• Consent and Context Matter: Every story highlighted the importance of understanding your audience and respecting emotional boundaries—pranks that don’t are usually just cruelty.
• Service Worker Pranks = Big No: The crew is unequivocal about never pranking people at work, especially in service industries.
• Communication Beats “Testing”: The stories underscore how honest relationships—romantic or platonic—depend on open dialogue, not sneaky "tests."
• Prank Hierarchy: From “Appletarian” (quirky, pointless) up to "faking your own death" (relationship-ending, potentially traumatic), the episode draws lines between silly, misguided, and monstrous.

Tone: A mix of playful mockery, genuine concern, and eye-rolling disbelief—the Smosh crew’s dynamic offers both big laughs and thoughtful commentary on where pranking culture goes off the rails.

For Listeners:
This episode is for anyone who loves reaction content, enjoys dissecting messy internet drama, and wants to reflect on the sometimes not-so-harmless world of pranking.