Candid Camera

This is a “get off my lawn” post. Skip if old people rants aren’t your thing.

Candid Camera was a long running TV show with roots in radio and multi-generational hosts. I found it as a kid and enjoyed the hell out of it.

They turned a VW Beetle into a massive gas tank. Stripped out everything except what was visible and the drive train. Every seat other than the driver’s seat was leather over more gas tank. They drove to gas stations (no self-service in those days) and told the attendants to fill it up. Beetles gas tanks were small. Once the gas pump went past 10, 15 gallons, the attendant started worrying. They would check underneath for leaks and check the engine. I think it held like 50 gallons which was unheard of at that time.

Another gag was hiring a temp receptionist for a gymnastics equipment company. The “boss” would call them and have them on the phone when a gymnast would come in and test out the trampoline. After a few jumps, they would bust up through the (fake) ceiling, grab some handholds and not come back down. The reactions of the people were hilarious.

One thing they often showed was the host explaining the gag. There seemed to be a, if not gentleness, then compassion and most took it with smiles on their face. It also seemed like many of them had already heard of Candid Camera which helped.

In the last 10-15 years, the idea has come back up. I won’t list the show or movie names, but they seem to have a meanness to them that delights in making the subjects feel stupid or embarrassed. Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t remember that on Candid Camera. The gags seemed clever and funny, not mean.

Get off my lawn!