Fake Off


Fake Off is an American reality competition television series. The show features groups of performers who recreate and reimagine moments from pop culture in spectacular 90-second routines. The teams use a diverse range of stage disciples including black light theatre, projection mapping, puppetry, and dance. The term "Faking" is used to describe the act of recreating an iconic moment. It debuted on TruTV on October 27, 2014, and is produced by Shine America. TruTV renewed the show for a second season, which was also its last.

Summary

The knock-out performance competition is hosted by Robert Hoffman and judged by actor and dancer Harry Shum, Jr., Pop Star Rozonda Thomas and renowned choreographer Michael Curry. The series features ten teams of performers who each week are given a new pop-culture theme. Each team has one week to turn their theme into a 90-second Fake that is then scored by the three judges and the studio audience. The team whose Fake got the lowest score is eliminated from the competition. The Fakes consist of visually stunning special effects that are generated by the group through various stagecraft techniques. After eight episodes one team wins the title of America's Best Fakers and $100,000.

Contestants

Competition summary

Season 1

Week 1

;Running order
ContestantThemeTotal ScoreResult
The Body PoetsVideo Game Revolution24 + 7 = 31Safe
WilderbeTitanic29 + 9 = 38Safe
ArchedreamTV Drama26 + 7 = 33Safe
InspiratiChildren's Cartoons26 + 9 = 35Safe
PUSH Physical TheatreThe Super Bowl26 + 9 = 35Safe

Week 2

;Running order
ContestantThemeTotal ScoreResult
Freelusion USAWestern22 + 8 = 30Safe
Kristef Strikes BackHorror Movies26 + 9 = 35Safe
Lightwire TheaterLocal TV News27 + 9 = 36Safe
YFXSci-fi Movies21 + 6 = 27Safe
VersesMovies22 + 7 = 29Safe

Week 3

Season 2

The judges are Harry Shum Jr., Laurieann Gibson, and Beau Casper Smart.
The host is Corbin Bleu. Meghan Camarena is the backstage correspondent.
10 new teams competed in Season 2.
The theme of the week was "Movie Night".
TeamThemeHarryLaurieannBeauJudges' TotalAudienceTotalResult
Academy of VillainsHorror Movies889251035Safe/Highest Score
Astra Dance TheatreFantasy Movies88723831Safe
CubeMetricksSci-Fi Movies77721728Safe
On The FlyKung Fu Movies67720727Safe
ClownSnotBombsSilent Movies68519726Safe/Lowest Score

Reception

The show received a positive reception from critics when it launched in October 2014. Allison Keene from The Hollywood Reporter wrote “TruTV has truly created a flashy and worthwhile series that is cut above current competition series, and far more exciting than yet another iteration of a singing show.” Pilot Viruet from Flavorwire wrote “I think Fake Off is my new favorite unscripted program, it was completely mesmerizing.”