I watched the first episode of Foul Play with Anthony Davis, and I understand why some people think it copies Ashton Kutcher‘s Punk’d. The show follows NBA star Anthony Davis as he teams up with other athletes to pull pranks on their famous friends.
It premieres on TBS in April 6th 2026, created with help from the Impractical Jokers crew. The show shares the same basic setup as Punk’d, with celebrities pranking other celebrities using hidden cameras, but it focuses only on athletes instead of mixing different types of stars.
This narrower focus gives the show a different feel, even though the format looks familiar. The pranks involve fake charity events, promotional shoots gone wrong, and other scenarios designed to confuse the targets.
First Impressions of Foul Play with Anthony Davis
The show brings Anthony Davis into the prank TV space with help from other athletes. It features NBA, WNBA, and MLB players in various prank scenarios that try to capture an authentic sports culture feel.
Show Concept and Unique Premise
Foul Play with Anthony Davis centers on the Mavericks forward pranking fellow athletes with assistance from other sports stars. The format involves Davis working with celebrities and athletes to set up elaborate pranks on unsuspecting targets from the sports world.
Brian Quinn from Impractical Jokers appears in the first episode to help guide the pranks. The show attempts to showcase locker room dynamics and the relationships athletes have behind the scenes.
It relies heavily on the natural chemistry between sports-world friends rather than scripted comedy. The pranks aim to reveal the fun side of professional athletes who normally appear serious during games and interviews.
TBS aired the special after the 2025 All-Star Game. The timing gave viewers a different look at Davis during his recovery from injury.
Noteworthy Pranks and Athlete Involvement
The first episode targets several Los Angeles-based athletes. Jarred Vanderbilt from the Lakers became one of the main victims.
Davis and his crew set up pranks on Vanderbilt that got strong reactions from fans online. Terrance Mann from the Clippers and Dave Roberts from the Dodgers also appeared as prank targets.
The episode shows athletes in vulnerable moments when they think they’re in normal situations. D’Angelo Russell from the Brooklyn Nets switched roles between helper and target during different segments.
The involvement of multiple athletes creates variety in the prank setups. Each athlete brings their own personality to the situations.
Some pranks worked better than others based on the natural reactions they produced.
Representation from NBA, WNBA, and Other Sports
Season 1 includes athletes from different professional leagues. Cameron Brink from the Los Angeles Sparks represents the WNBA as both a participant and helper in pranks.
Her involvement adds diversity to what could have been just an NBA-focused show. Mookie Betts brings MLB representation to the mix.
The Dodgers shortstop helps Davis pull off pranks while also appearing in various segments. The show tries to bridge different sports communities through these collaborations.
The mix of NBA, WNBA, and baseball players creates crossover appeal. It shows athletes from different sports can joke around together in ways fans don’t normally see.
Production Quality and TBS Influence
The show uses a docu-style format that follows pranks from setup to execution. TBS produces the unscripted comedy series with access to multiple sports facilities and locations.
The production team had resources to create convincing prank scenarios. The camera work captures reactions from multiple angles.
The editing keeps a fast pace between different prank segments. Sound quality remains consistent even when filming in various indoor and outdoor locations.
TBS made the episode available on streaming platforms like Max and Hulu after the initial broadcast. The network’s involvement brings professional production standards but doesn’t always capture the raw authenticity of smaller prank shows.
Comparing Foul Play with Anthony Davis to Classic Prank Shows
Foul Play with Anthony Davis borrows heavily from established prank show formats while attempting to carve out its own identity through its sports-focused angle. The show’s structure and execution invite direct comparison to earlier celebrity-driven prank series, particularly in how it handles both setup and payoff.
Similarities and Differences with Ashton Kutcher Prank Shows
The core format of Foul Play with Anthony Davis mirrors the blueprint Ashton Kutcher established with Punk’d. Both shows feature a celebrity host orchestrating pranks on other famous people.
Both reveal the setup to viewers before the prank unfolds. The main difference lies in the target demographic and participants.
Where Punk’d featured actors and musicians, Foul Play focuses exclusively on athletes. Anthony Davis pranks fellow NBA players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Terance Mann, along with athletes from other sports like Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Another key distinction is the behind-the-scenes approach. Foul Play shows viewers how pranks are built and how they can fall apart.
Traditional prank shows like Punk’d kept the mechanics hidden, focusing only on the reveal and reaction. The production partnership with the Impractical Jokers team adds a different comedic sensibility.
The jokes lean more toward sports culture and locker room humor rather than the celebrity gossip angle Kutcher used.
Impact of Athlete Hosts versus Celebrity Hosts
Having Anthony Davis as host creates a different dynamic than traditional celebrity hosts. Athletes have built-in credibility with their peers that actors don’t necessarily have in the same way.
Davis can more easily convince fellow players to participate in promotional shoots or charity events because these are regular parts of their professional lives. The TBS show benefits from the natural camaraderie among professional athletes.
When Davis enlists Mookie Betts, Cameron Brink, and D’Angelo Russell to help with pranks, their relationships feel more organic than typical celebrity pairings. However, this athlete-focused approach also limits the show’s appeal.
The references and inside jokes work best for sports fans who recognize the players and understand the culture. Kutcher’s broader celebrity pool in Punk’d reached wider audiences who followed entertainment news regardless of sports interest.
Davis himself acknowledged his “passion for pranks” and desire to make people laugh, but his charisma plays differently than seasoned entertainers.
Audience Reception and Early Critiques
The initial response to Foul Play with Anthony Davis has been mixed. Some viewers compared it favorably to Punk’d, with one fan calling it “a new Punk’d.”
Others questioned whether it offered enough original content beyond the sports angle.
The show’s half-hour special format, which aired on TBS after the NBA All-Star Game on April 6, 2026, positioned it for maximum sports fan viewership.
This scheduling suggests the network understands its target demographic skews heavily toward basketball enthusiasts rather than general prank show fans.
Critiques often centered on execution rather than concept. The “bad copy” criticism stems from the familiar structure without sufficient innovation.
Early viewers appreciated seeing the lighter side of professional athletes. Some questioned whether the format could sustain interest beyond novelty value.
