Television takes deception to a whole new level with Comedy's Central's "Con," a step-by-step guide to bending the rules and getting what you want.
Running since April 6, the show follows the devious missions of Skyler Stone, an extroverted conman with a strong sense of entitlement. Using a series of hidden cameras or working under the guise of a "documentary filmmaker," Stone reveals creative methods of acquiring free fast food, a free Internet connection, free makeovers and even free box seats at a Major League Baseball game.
"Con" takes cues from series like "Jackass," "Punk'd" and "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment" that aimed at tricking people, celebrities in the case of "Punk'd," into believing fake scenarios. However, rather than humbling bloated-ego celebrities, Stone's adventures are more goal-oriented. He'll exploit whomever necessary to complete his missions.
In the pilot episode entitled "Giants," Stone and his sidekicks Zach Johnson and Edward Keyes construct a whole publishing front around a man named Mickey Streets and successfully convince stadium officials that he was once featured on American Idol. The host takes the audience through the process of creating false press kits, websites and demos.
Streets (re: Stone) is permitted to sing at the beginning of the Giants game and is awarded front-row seats. It becomes apparent that the whole thing is a scam, but Stone regardless is applauded for his creative cunning.
The man certainly knows the power of publicity. Once convinced that they're being aired for a charitable makeover series on television, Stone's victims on "Con" are willing to offer their services in return for a new advertisement spot.
He convinces a highbrow Beverly Hills shop that his company is looking for a place to host a charitable series in which the hosts give makeovers to homeless people. He likewise convinces a limousine company that he will use their services in every episode if they give them a loaner for the pilot episode.
In order to take on the role of the homeless person, Stone spends a day soaking up tips (ideas, not money) from the bums in the ravaged parts of California. Upon seeing the poor, unwashed ex-tap dancer that Stone is playing, the salon assistants performing the makeover squeeze out an emotional tear and gush with sympathy for Stone, as if being filmed for a segment on their own miniature "Real World." They're even taken aside individually and interviewed, a smack in the face of reality TV by "Con's" creators. It all reeks of a horribly ingenious parody.
The premise of the show may seem unethical, but Stone's targets - McDonald's fast food restaurants, stuck-up Beverly Hills manicurists - are in need of a good slapping every once in a while. In fact, "Con" seems like payback for inflated gas prices and ridiculously expensive name brands.
Stone is an amazing con artist, fully becoming a part of any role required to accomplish what he desires. Johnson and Keyes make the show possible, acting as publicists and representatives during Stone's missions.
The only problem with shows like these is that the hosts become very recognizable after the beginning of the first season. Stone can't perform many more of these heists in the celebrity-conscious cities of California without his purpose being revealed.
Maybe a trip to Japan will be in store for the "Con" crew just like the Jackasses.
