Foreign
April Fools’ Day: Fast food, weather, and celebrity deaths trick gullible Australians
Meeting with Barack Obama, new burger and more
The Australian public and brands are attempting to fool each other on April Fools’ Day with both outlandish and sort of believable fake claims.
Goverment agencies, reality TV shows, news organisations and fast food restaurants were among the many joining in on the fun.
The BBC famously convinced its viewers that spaghetti was grown on trees in 1957, while in 1989, Virgin Records chairman Richard Branson made Londoners think a UFO was flying over the city.
McDonald’s McFry Burger
Fast food giant McDonald’s made a splash in the morning by announcing an enticing new burger that was ‘available until yesterday’ and influenced by a famous fast food hack. The ‘McFry’ burger, a classic quarter pounder with added french fries, was just reasonable enough to fool some, while many others admitted they would actually order the item. ‘Get your hands on the McFry today. Available until yesterday,’ said the company’s advert. “Rude! I actually want to eat this,’ one social media user wrote.
Perth Weather Live’s Aurora Borealis claim
A social media account that updates Perth’s weather, Perth Weather Live, attempted to deceive it’s followers by claiming that the Aurora Borealis – or ‘Northern Lights’ – would be visible over the city’s sky. ‘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. One user admitted they had been fooled by the post, writing: ‘Got me. I even read that gobbledygook’.”
Chris Minns’ brother’s death announcement
The brother of recently elected NSW state premier, Chris Minns, even got in the April Fool’s action by grieving the death of the very-much still alive Daryl Somers. A recipient of the OAM (Order of Australia Medal) and a triple Gold Logie Award winner, Mr Somers is an icon of Australian television and music.
Imposter Barack Obama
April Fools’ Day came early for Seven’s Weekend Sunrise with Matt Doran catching his co-host, Monique Ryan, off guard with a surprise interview with Barack Obama on Thursday. An impersonator, Reggie Brown, was dressed and covered in make-up to appear like the former US president. Meanwhile, distorted video quality helped deceive Ms Ryan to believe she was talking to the former leader of the free world.
Farmer Wants a Life’s Home and Away announcement
Reality TV show, Farmer Wants a Life, might take the cake for most people fooled with a post to their social media accounts claiming that Home and Away character, Alf Stewart, was joining the cast of farmers looking for love.
Other hoaxes
Facebook site for Perth locals, Perth is OK, posted a picture of the city’s brand new waterfall that had appeared off one of its braches. The Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers joined in claiming that a South American anaconda had made its way to the Buderim Falls in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Credit: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11926993/April-Fools-Day-pranks-Barack-Obama-impersonator-McDonalds-new-McFry-burger.html
