British comedian Simon Brodkin says the landscape for “pranks” has changed, with online stunt culture leading to harsher consequences. Across reports, Brodkin argues that what audiences and platforms label as pranks are often more dangerous or confrontational than they appear, and that this shift has “taken the teeth out” of the concept. The comedian says he still enjoys playing characters and performing surprise or confrontational bits, but he discourages calling these actions “pranks.” The articles describe Brodkin’s perspective on how YouTube and similar platforms have influenced public expectations and the seriousness with which such stunts are treated. Rather than rejecting performance entirely, he positions his work as character-based comedy while distancing it from the framing of pranks, implying that the term carries a baggage of escalation, risk, or harm. The coverage presents his comments as reflective of broader concerns about online stunt culture rather than a specific incident, focusing on how the comedic approach is being adapted in response to audience and media scrutiny.