The creators of Andrew Denton's new TV show have owned up to creating an elaborate prank that fooled many media organisations with an imaginary naivety survey.
The phony "Levitt Institute" — complete with a professional looking website — released what they claimed was a survey proving Sydney residents are Australia's most gullible people.
The hoax report, titled "Deception Detection Across Australian Populations ", was picked up by the Australian Associated Press who filed an extensive story on the data.
Several leading news services — including ninemsn — ran the AAP article, titled "Sydney-the-most-naive-city,-study-finds".
A Brisbane radio station was so duped by the report that they even broadcast an interview with a "spokesperson" from the fictitious institute.
But following a call from Media Watch today, AAP realised they had fallen for a hoax and issued a takedown notice.
Comedian Dan Ilic appears to have been central to the complex prank, which featured a bogus 10-page media release.
The former Ronnie Johns Half Hour star, who is one of the hosts of Andrew Dentron's upcoming show Hungry Beast, refused to elaborate on the joke when contacted today.
"What I can tell you (is) it will be an explosive bombshell Wednesday night 9pm on the ABC," Ilic said, referring to the program's debut this week.
Ilic was criticised in the media last year after his comedy stage production Beaconsfield: A Musical in a-flat Minor was labelled as insensitive.
The show, which was based on the media reaction to the 2006 Tasmanian accident, was renamed Beaconsfield: The Musical this year and is currently showing.
The ABC is also keeping their cards close to their chest in regards to details about Hungry Beast.
After great success with Enough Rope and The Gruen Transfer, the new half-hour topical program will feature a host of new faces and provide viewers with the chance to interact online.
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