WASHINGTON, D.C. - Who says George W. Bush doesn't have a sense of humor? In a stunning twist, it was revealed earlier today that the trial and execution of Saddam Hussein was all staged for an episode of MTV's hit series, "Punk'd." An MTV spokesperson explained that the idea came from President Bush himself, and was retaliation for Hussein punking Bush over WMDs back in 2002.
Producers for the show were almost forced to reveal the joke earlier than planned because Hussein appeared to be catching on... particularly after a few of the actors fell victim to fits of uncontrollable giggling in the court room while sentencing was handed down.
"I tried to hold it in as best I could," explains actor Ben Eisenberg who plays Chief Judge Rauf Rashid Abd al Rahman, "but when it got to the part about death by hanging, I couldn't help it. I mean, it was just so absurd. What is this, the wild west? Who believes a hanging in the 21st century?"
Punk'd Segment Director Todd Van Breckle explains that a hanging wasn't originally their first choice. "We ran every scenario during pre-production... stoning, crucifixion, bloodletting... but it was hard to make these funny. We even had plans draw up for a 17th Century Spanish Galleon so he could walk the plank, but budget was a concern."
Footage of the MTV special has already leaked onto the internet, but it apparently doesn't show the big finale. Spoilerama, however, has the details. After the gallows floor opens up, Hussein drops down onto a slippy slide and loop-di-loos his way down to a dunk tank. When he emerges from the water, he receives a pie to the face from none other than President George W. Bush himself.
"We anticipate this episode to be a huge success for us, and have a number of other Bush Administration episodes in the works," reveals an MTV official. Reports say, Hurricane Katrina survivors are anxiously waiting for Ashton Kutcher to pop out of the New Orleans rubble and yell "surprise" any day now.
The special two hour episode will air on MTV Networks around the globe in early 2007, although MTV France is reportedly refusing to air it.
