April Fools’ Day pranks from Barack Obama impersonator to McDonald’s new McFry burger
A meeting with former US President Barack Obama, celebrity deaths, a new burger ‘available until yesterday’ and a once-in-a-lifetime weather event are all possible today for the gullible and easily fooled.
April Fools’ Day is in full swing as the Australian public and brands try to fool each other with fake claims that are both outlandish and more or less believable.
Government agencies, reality TV shows, news organizations and fast food restaurants were among the many who joined in on the fun.
April Fools’ Day has misled many over the years – the BBC famously convinced its viewers that spaghetti was grown on trees in 1957, while in 1989 Virgin Records chairman Richard Branson tricked Londoners into thinking there was a UFO over the city flew.
McDonald’s tricked their followers with the “McFry” (pictured), an item inspired by a popular fast food hack that involved putting fries on a burger
Fast food giant McDonald’s made waves in the morning by announcing a tempting new burger that was “available until yesterday” and influenced by a famous fast food hack.
The “McFry” burger, a classic quarter pounder with added fries, was just fair enough to fool some, while many others admitted they would actually order the item.
The ultimate Mac hack is now made to order as we take the classic Quarter Pounder and stack it with Australia’s favorite fries. No mess. No fuss. Don’t worry,” the announcement read on Facebook.
“Get the McFry today. Available until yesterday.’
‘Cheeky! I actually want to eat this,” one social media user wrote.
“You’re kidding, but it would actually be a great seller,” a second user wrote.
“But seriously… yum!” a third wrote.
Some Perth residents were fooled by a social media account claiming the city would be the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to witness the Aurora Borealis (stock image)
A social media account that updates Perth’s weather, Perth Weather Live, tried to mislead his followers by claiming that the Aurora Borealis – or “Northern Lights” – would be visible above the city’s skies.
“Perth may be the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to ever witness the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) due to a rare, once in a lifetime example of extreme tropospheric ducting,” the Facebook page wrote.
Academic Resources: None. We made it up lol.’
One user admitted they were fooled by the post, writing, “Got it. I even read that gobledygook.’
“I really should have a coffee before looking at my news feed, so disappointed,” another user wrote.
Jim Minns, brother of newly elected NSW State Premier Chris Minns, mourned the very much alive Daryl Somers
The brother of recently elected NSW State Premier Chris Minns, even got into the April Fool’s action by mourning the death of the still-living Daryl Somers.
Mr Somers, recipient of the OAM (Order of Australia Medal) and three-time Gold Logie Award winner, is an icon of Australian television and music.
He was immortalized in Australian culture for his time on Hey Hey It’s Saturday from 1979 to 1999.
‘Will be missed! #RIP,” Jim Minns wrote on Twitter.
“Every damn year,” one wrong user wrote.
‘Is this correct?’ Another commented, Mr Minns replied with a circled photo of today’s date.
April Fools’ Day came early for Weekend Sunrise with host, Matt Doran, fooling his co-host, Monique Ryan, (both pictured) into believing they were interviewing Barack Obama
An LA impersonator, Reggie Brown (pictured), was dressed as President Obama, while the quality of the video call was scrambled to aid in the ruse
April Fools’ Day came early for Seven’s Weekend Sunrise with Matt Doran wowing his co-host, Monique Ryan, on Thursday with a surprise interview with Barack Obama.
An impersonator, Reggie Brown, was dressed and covered in makeup to look like the former US president. Meanwhile, the distorted video quality led Ms. Ryan to think she was talking to the former leader of the free world.
‘Is this going to work? Probably not. If so, will it be delicious? Absolutely,’ Doran said in the run-up to the joke.
“Mr. Obama, what an absolute thrill for us,” Doran told the impersonator.
He couldn’t keep a grin off his face as Mrs. Ryan tried to keep her calm.
“Just before we let you go,” Mr. Doran said, “maybe it’s time to let Mon know that we’re actually talking about Reggie from LA, the best Obama impersonator.”
Caught hookline and sinker, Ms. Ryan blamed “technical difficulties” and Mr. Brown’s “extraordinary acting ability”.
The prize for most people fooled might go to the reality TV show, Farmer Wants a Wife, for “announcing” that Home and Away character, Alf Stewart, would be joining the show (pictured )
Reality tv show, farmer wants a life, could be the crowning glory for most people fooled with a post on their social media accounts claiming that Home and Away character, Alf Stewart, joined the cast of farmers looking for love .
The character of Alf Stewart, played by Ray Meagher, has appeared on the show since the first episode aired in January 1998, which earned Mr. Meagher the Guinness World Record for the longest serving actor in an Australian series.
“Say hello to Farmer Alf! Coming all the way from Summer Bay, Alf can’t wait to meet his perfect match,” the Instagram post reads.
“Damn, I didn’t look at the date I was shocked,” noted musician Matt Evans.
“Good April 1st,” one social media user wrote.
“I fell too hard for this,” wrote a second.
Facebook site for Perth residents, Perth is OK, posted a photo of the city’s brand new waterfall that had emerged from one of its branches: “Coogee Falls, just 40 minutes from the Perth CBD!”
Facebook site for Perth residents, Perth is OK, posted a photo of the city’s brand new waterfall that had emerged from one of its branches: “Coogee Falls, just 40 minutes from the Perth CBD!”
A South American anaconda spotted outside a Sunshine Coast hiking trail by the Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers (pictured) wasn’t all it seemed
The snake catchers of the Sunshine Coast joined the claim that a South American anaconda had made its way to the Buderim Falls in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
“Keep clear of Buderim Falls,” the Facebook post reads.
“We just received a photo of a HUGE Anaconda spotted at the entrance to Buderim Falls.
“We’re on our way down to try and find this exotic so it can be turned in to the department.”
The fairly believable photoshop job had fooled many, and some even got upset because the snake was in Australia.
“They should never be in our country for any reason, people are doing the wrong thing,” one upset user wrote.
“I guess that must be one of my favorite strains,” another duped user wrote.
‘You have me. I’m a little slow this morning. Now I’m just disappointed I can’t go and watch it,” one user wrote.
This year’s jokes had to live up to a high standard set last year, with Robert Irwin’s announcements of crime-fighting koalas and cheaper airfares thanks to Webjet’s skydiving seats.