April Fools’ Day is one of my favorite holidays. Well, it’s not a holiday, but it’s a high-holy day for pranksters which usually includes readily-available forgiveness for silly little stunts.  From the innocent greeting of that first person you see on April 1st, asking if they heard that Amazon is delivering massage therapists, to the more elaborate radio stunts I’ve taken part in over the years. One year, we had a cell phone ringing in the background but not acknowledging it. People listening would keep checking their phones and then realize it was a prank.  Years ago when I was at KOMO radio, boy, did we tick off upper management when we did a mock Seattle April Fools Day Parade on the air. I believe it was the CEO who was so incensed that he commented, “What if someone in Lynnwood came all the way down to Seattle and there was no parade?” Last year, with the consensus of management,  we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the mythical Jetty Island Concert on KRKO

However, this year–on the air and around the home–prank fibbing just didn’t feel right. Each day, since this virus began its attack, we have faced a steady stream of “is it true or not?” and frankly, it just wears you out. We are all in survival mode, doing whatever is in our power to protect our families, and somehow make it to the other side, while trying to sort out what’s true and what isn’t.

But I was not about to give up my annual April Fools’ tradition of producing a fake TV news cast. I mean, come on, you go in knowing its all made up. It’s a celebration of fake news, all in an effort to make you laugh. Think of it as a video form of “The Onion.”

I tell you, this year was not easy. People had other things on their minds. They were at home, with kids, just trying to survive. A couple of my volunteer actors had to bail. One never responded to my request. I have to say, of all the years I’ve done this, I’ve never had anyone just not even respond to the request, but I understand. This is my passion, my project and my guess is, some of these people have grown up over the years.  I’m still just a kid when it comes to this stuff, especially on April Fools’ Day.

If nothing else, consider this a welcome distraction to the serious tone of our current world and enjoy a 10-minute escape from reality.

Here’s this year’s edition of the NGD Network’s coverage of National Gullible Day.

Have a happy one.

Tim Hunter