truTV Presents: World's Dumbest... | |
---|---|
Genre | Crime/Reality/Comedy/Satire |
Starring | |
Narrated by | Chip Bolcik |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 16 |
No. of episodes | 197 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Release | |
Original network |
truTV (United States) Action (Canada) |
Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
Audio format | Stereo |
Original release | March 13, 2008 | – March 2, 2014
Chronology | |
Related shows |
Almost Genius Ridiculousness Ain't That America |
External links | |
Website | www |
truTV (United States)
truTV Presents: World's Dumbest... (formerly titled The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest...) is a cable television series produced by Meetinghouse Productions, Inc. and is aired on truTV.
Each episode of the series, originally known as World's Dumbest Criminals, presents a comedic look at 20 half-witted and offbeat events recorded on camera and, occasionally, on tape by 911 dispatchers.
Episodes are now classified by themes such as Criminals (later Outlaws), Drivers (later Motorheads), Daredevils, Partiers, and performers. They feature commentary from comedians and writers such as Bryan Callen, Jared Logan, Chris Fairbanks, Kevin McCaffrey, Tom McCaffrey and others.
Because the series' original focus was on criminals bungling their acts of crime, commentary used to be provided mostly by celebrities known for their own past brushes with the law, including Danny Bonaduce, Leif Garrett, Tonya Harding, Todd Bridges, Daniel Baldwin, Frank Stallone and Gary Busey. These individuals continued to appear on the show after its focus expanded.
Sound effects and mock commentary are added to enhance the humor of the events. A cartoon storyboard may be added to make up for the lack of video. In January 2011, the show slightly re-branded itself as truTV Presents: World's Dumbest..., dropping the "Smoking Gun" branding and redesigning the commentator names-signs, title page, and background brightness in the process.
Meetinghouse produced a new series called Almost Genius, in which commentators congratulate the subjects who fall short of success, instead of mocking them. This series is hosted by Fairbanks and April Richardson.