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LOS ANGELES - MTV's celebrity prank show Punk'd will end after its upcoming season, during which unsuspecting victims will include Hilary Swank, Magic Johnson, Evangeline Lilly and Nelly Furtado, the network said Monday.
This isn't the first time such an announcement has been made. In December 2003, following the show's second cycle, executive producer Ashton Kutcher said he was pulling the plug. Speculation immediately arose that it was a ploy to lower the guard of celebrity targets; indeed, Punk'd returned in April 2004.
However, MTV Networks Music Group entertainment president Brian Graden has confirmed that the show is officially finished this time, but that there might be future collaborations with Kutcher on other projects.
As a tribute to the final season, Kutcher will host a special "Punk'd Awards" honoring all eight seasons. Kutcher created "Punk'd" with fellow executive producer Jason Goldberg.
- REUTERS/Hollywood Reporter
