Room 401 is a hidden camera/reality television series on MTV, executive produced by Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg. It is named after the room Harry Houdini died in at Detroit's Grace Hospital in 1926. The show also used some of his famous acts. Room 401 took unaware victims into the center of pranks that played like mini horror movies. From the reanimation of the dead, to chain-saw mishaps, each episode contains four "scares" or pranks. The show was hosted by Jared Padalecki from the CW's Supernatural.
Episode list
Episode 1
Getting Crabby: Two women witness a man pull his chest apart and crabs come out.
The Claw: A woman wants her friend to win her something from a claw machine, but the claw doesn't work, so a maintenance man sticks his hand through the glass and pulls out a rat.
He Sees Dead People: Two crime scene cleanersgo to a crime scene and one of the men witnesses the dead man's spirit sitting up from his body.
Lend a Hand: Two men go to work at a meat factory and one of the men witnesses his co-worker lose his hand in a fryer then it's right back on.
Episode 2
Ice Carving: An accident with a chainsaw operator leaves an ice sculptor alive, but in two pieces.
Jar Head: While cleaning a warehouse two guys find a mysterious head preserved in a jar that blinks and talks.
He Gone!: A supernatural taxi driver disappears after being pulled over by the police. Note: This prank was featured in VH1's special "40 Greatest Pranks 2".
Lose Your Head: A guy on the bus is barely able to hold onto his head. Note: This prank was featured in VH1's special "40 Greatest Pranks 2".
Episode 3
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep: A young woman is pushed underneath the waters of a hottub and emerges elderly.
Return to Sender: A man in a diaper comes out of a small, strange box on a worker's first night on the job.
Fasten Your Seat Belts: A man is pulled through an airplane turbine in front of a woman's eyes, and then comes up to her two minutes later, completely unharmed.
Scrubbing In: A man has poisonous fish and another goes through his stomach and pulls out the poisonous fish.
Episode 4
Out for Blood: This blood bank worker watches in horror as a man doesn't have the time to wait for a nurse to draw his blood.
Just a Trim: One woman finds a new reason to stay away from hair driers.
Move to the Back of the Bus: A delivery man magically survives getting slammed by an oncoming bus.
Current Events: An ominous article in the newspaper leaves two girls scared out of their minds.
Episode 5
Hit the Nail on the Head: Safety takes a vacation at this construction site.
Gutterball: You should always watch your hands near the bowling ball dispenser.
Don't Fall Apart: Liquid nitrogen freezes pretty much anything it touches instantly, even people. Note: This prank was featured in VH1's special "40 Greatest Pranks 2".
Very Bad Things: While setting up for a bachelor party some guys think they might have killed the stripper.
The show was created by Rico de la Vega and Chris Gongora of Magic X. They previously produced the network television special T.H.E.M. - Totally Hidden Extreme Magic, which also used the concept of magic with hidden cameras. Rico and Chris along with fellow Magic X members Cyril Takayama, Justin "Kredible" Willman, and Rico's sister Lisa are featured in the show.
Credits
Host: Jared Padalecki
Co-executive producers: Rico de la Vega and Chris Gongora
Producer: Gentry Stanley
Executive producers: Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke, Billy Rainey, Lois Curren and Mary L. Aloe
Cast: David Minkin, Mark Cirillo, R.J. Cantu, Oscar Torres, Lou Volpe, Arnaud Collery, Lisa De La Vega, Rico De La Vega, Chris Gongora, Michael Grasso, Derek Hughes, Ambria Miscia, Thomas Nealeigh, Rebecca Ocampo, Robert Lyon Rasner, Amro Salama, Cathy Shim, Michael Stellman, Cyril Takayama, Shirley To, Dawson Van Pelt, Luke Van Pelt, Justin "Kredible" Willman, Rob Zabrecky and Daniel Zacapa
Magic Consultants: David Minkin, Derek Hughes, Robert Lyon Rasner and Michael Stellman
''Room 401'' puzzle
There is a puzzle linked to Room 401. During parts of the show for one or two screens Ashton Kutcher appears on screen holding a sign; the sign is a clue for the puzzle. There are four clues per show. On the first episode you are given a link to where the puzzle begins. New information is slowly being discovered, but there has also been documents found in undisclosed websites stating the puzzle only leads you back to the start. Rumours have also been heard that the puzzle upon completion shows information on tricks Houdini performed and how to perform them. The game progressed to a closing point, reopening as the ARGNowheremen.
Trivia
The original host for this show was comedian Brent Weinbach. They shot an entire season with Brent, but they never used any of the episodes. His voice can still be heard on.
