The Sam Pepper Prank Scandal That Went Too Far
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Sam Pepper Prank Scandal That Went Too Far

A prankster takes his most recent project too far.

134
The Sam Pepper Prank Scandal That Went Too Far

On November 29, 2015, a 26-year-old British YouTuber published a video to his channel that has forever changed the future of online content creation. This video is called "Killing Best Friend Prank," and opens with the line, “Let’s see how he reacts to his best friend of five years being killed in front of him!” It features two best friends being kidnapped and stuffed into the trunk of a car by a random stranger. One of the boys is in on it, but the other is not. One of the boys watches as his best friend is fake-shot in the head by this stranger. He cries out for help, assures his best friend that they are going to be OK, and tries to plead with his supposed kidnapper only to find out in the end that his friend is alive and it was all one big joke. This video currently has over six million views on YouTube and has yet to be taken off the site. The sick, twisted, uncreative individual that crafted, filmed, and published this disturbing "prank" video is Sam Pepper: YouTube's new most hated vlogger.

Pepper's video made worldwide news when it was published online last week, and creators and fans everywhere are livid that the video exists. Not only is the video cruel and inhumane, it comes just days after the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris and during a time when the United States is fighting a war over gun control with gun violence being a very forefront issue. Several other popular YouTubers have spoken out about Pepper's video and have taken to social media to make sure their voices are heard. Jack Harries, one half of the popular YouTube channel "JacksGap," is one of the creators that had the most to say about Pepper. Harries took to Twitter on November 30 to share his thoughts on the new video. In a series of Tweets, he calls Pepper out for the insensitive nature of the video and reprimands him for posting it during such a trying time. He Tweeted:

"This is one of the most disgusting things i've seen on youtube. You need a f**king reality check man. Who the hell do you think you are? Human abuse is not funny, entertaining, clever or interesting. Its just downright fucked up! Have you read the news lately? Did you see what just happened in Paris? How can you be so f**king insensitive. Get a grip man! I think I speak for the majority of the internet when I say please leave. You're not wanted in this space."

Harries finished his thoughts by tweeting the link to a petition started by Kaylee Jade Davis of the United Kingdom to get Pepper's YouTube account deactivated. The petition has nearly 200,000 signatures, and the link has been tweeted by several highly influential YouTube stars in the hopes that YouTube will consider eliminating this kind of unacceptable content from the YouTube creative community.


According to the BBC, YouTube won't be taking the video down any time soon. The company claims that the video doesn't violate any of its community guidelines. The two boys in the video, Sam Golbach (the prankee) and Colby Brock (the prankster), have spoken out regarding the controversial video. Golbach claims that he's OK, isn't scarred from the prank, and that his friendship with Brock and Pepper is at an all-time high. He took to Twitter to address the claims that he wasn't doing well and said, "We realize this isn't a video to make people laugh. Instead, it was supposed to show a true friendship." If it took his best friend getting pretend-shot in the head for him to realize he cherished his friendship, they need to revisit their relationship. Just an opinon.

This isn't the first time Pepper has come under fire for being an idiot. In October of 2014, Pepper released a "prank" video where he walked around Los Angeles pinching women's butts. After the video was published, six women in total came forward with claims that Pepper sexually harassed them and, according to BBC, only one was considering taking it to the police because the others feared online harassment should they publicly expose Pepper.

I have many words for Mr. Pepper, but many of them would make my mother want to wash my mouth out with soap. Sam Pepper has shocked the world with his thoughtlessness and general ignorance, and he has tainted a community of creative professionals that are doing so much good with their work. There must not be a whole lot going on upstairs in Pepper's mind, if you catch my drift. He's not the sharpest tool in the drawer. The YouTube community is shocked and saddened to see no consequence come to Pepper, which, in my opinion, will only encourage him to try to push the envelope further. How close can he get to the fire without bursting into flames? I hope YouTube has an answer for us. I hope that the obvious course of action is taken. I hope that Sam Pepper is never on my computer screen again.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38487
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

22753
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949289
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126310
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments