The Chaser APEC pranks

The Chaser APEC pranks were a series of comic stunts coordinated and performed by the Australian satire group The Chaser for the television series The Chaser's War on Everything. Pranks were done at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Summit (2–9 September 2007) in Sydney. The most prominent prank was the breach of an APEC restricted zone in the heart of Sydney central business district on 6 September. Julian Morrow directed a fake Canadian motorcade, which was allowed through the restricted zone by police and not detected until Chas Licciardello alighted, dressed as Osama bin Laden.

Although pranks that involved public locations, figures, and organisations were always a feature of the series,[1] the APEC pranks yielded unprecedented local and international publicity, both positive and negative.[2] Some team members faced charges for breaching the APEC zone, but these were dropped because police had allowed their entry into the restricted zone. Other less controversial and less publicised stunts were also shown on The Chaser's War on Everything, with ratings peaking at almost three million Australian viewers for the APEC wrap-up episode.

  1. ^ Browne, Rachel (28 January 2007). "ABC pranksters slated for prime time". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2007.
  2. ^ "The Chaser goes global". The Age. Melbourne. 30 October 2007. Archived from the original on 1 December 2007. Retrieved 18 November 2007.