Lauren Buono-Hudson

I need to strongly second Ronald Harkless’ comments In this forum. In the segment involving the Mommy and Me painting class, the tender age of the participants made the cruelty of the prank absolutely heartless. Young children cannot be “debriefed” after an experience like this in the same way an adult can. They do not have the cognitive capacity to understand the idiocy of what you did. The damage is done, the pairing has been made, now seared in their minds, and will surface the next time they innocently create with paintbrush and paper. While. Trusting. An. Adult. Teacher. As. They. Created. In my mind, the prank was, frankly, abuse. And, even if the children’s parents seek redress, the effect on their children is irreparable. Impractical Jokers- what do you have to say for yourselves? You make money off of this cruelty? Your behavior has descended into “groupthink” and your moral compass has been lost as you coach your compatriots from microphones, all while hidden, somehow believing you are one step removed from the cruelty if you are not the one carrying out the act. As I sign off, I will identify myself as a mother and a child clinical psychologist, two roles which inform my indignation on this matter. Your show will never air in our home again.