Phone Sex Pranks
May 28, 2007 12:39 AM Subscribe
Phone Sex Pranks — "Below are prank calls I've made- to phone sex girls. Only thing is, I tell them I'm into some "weird" stuff. They're all 100% real and 100% expensive." He's Gil Ozeri of Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. The weird stuff he's into? Clowns, Jewish mother stereotypes, old-timey barbers and Clippy. Yes, Clippy of MS Word infamy. [nsfw, natch]
Yeah... here's the thing: when they're charging him $3 a minute to talk, I'm not sure HE's the one pulling the prank. See, in traditional phone pranks, the victim isn't making $360,000/year as a result of the prank. I'm pretty sure all of the hapless women on the phone were only too delighted to have this hilarious ne'er do well empty his wallet in the name of prankdom. This is why Moe's Tavern doesn't charge Bart a fee, it kinda kills the comedy aspect.
posted by jonson at 12:52 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by jonson at 12:52 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
"What document do you want me to save?" LOL, omg, the cringe factor is deliciously awful.
Totally enjoyed those rascally pranks.
posted by nickyskye at 12:53 AM on May 28, 2007
Totally enjoyed those rascally pranks.
posted by nickyskye at 12:53 AM on May 28, 2007
when they're charging him $3 a minute to talk
Yeah, but they're being paid to perform naughtily as Clippy. It just seems worth it.
posted by nickyskye at 1:45 AM on May 28, 2007
Yeah, but they're being paid to perform naughtily as Clippy. It just seems worth it.
posted by nickyskye at 1:45 AM on May 28, 2007
Anybody smell a faint whiff of misogyny here?
posted by humblepigeon at 1:49 AM on May 28, 2007
posted by humblepigeon at 1:49 AM on May 28, 2007
I put on my robe and wizard hat.
posted by dirigibleman at 1:50 AM on May 28, 2007 [11 favorites]
posted by dirigibleman at 1:50 AM on May 28, 2007 [11 favorites]
I now remember how much I hated that arrogant little paperclip. Clippy does have a sexy voice though.
posted by clearly at 2:01 AM on May 28, 2007
posted by clearly at 2:01 AM on May 28, 2007
That Clippy One is one of the funniest things I have heard in a while. Though the Clowns one with the whole "no, a smaller horn" x 10.
"Clippy" actually sounded pretty hot.
posted by bluevelvetelvis at 2:20 AM on May 28, 2007
"Clippy" actually sounded pretty hot.
posted by bluevelvetelvis at 2:20 AM on May 28, 2007
This is a long running joke by DJ's on Dutch national radio.
posted by jouke at 2:43 AM on May 28, 2007
posted by jouke at 2:43 AM on May 28, 2007
That is. . . hilarious. It could only work with people paid to stay on the phone; everyone else would just give up. That girl really gives Clippy really good try. This makes me wonder some of the weird stuff people have actually called in with that they have to learn to run with.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 2:48 AM on May 28, 2007
posted by Lord Chancellor at 2:48 AM on May 28, 2007
Anybody smell a faint whiff of misogyny here?
Only the people who smell misogyny everywhere.
posted by IronLizard at 3:19 AM on May 28, 2007 [8 favorites]
Only the people who smell misogyny everywhere.
posted by IronLizard at 3:19 AM on May 28, 2007 [8 favorites]
Old-timey barber talk = rape. Ok.
posted by punishinglemur at 7:05 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by punishinglemur at 7:05 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
If he was demanding she talk about all the ways he'd like to tie her up or commit scatalogical acts upon her or demand she beg mercilessly for him we'd be cringing. I just don't see how the perception of humor makes what he's doing more or less abusive.
Thanks for this comment. I was fast beginning to lose faith with my fellow mefites. You're right--we're talking about abuse here.
Put it this way: If the voices on the other end of the line were those of men, would this still be funny? If they were gay men, would this be funny? If they were chlldren, would this still be funny? If the voices seemed to be from an obviously disadvantaged country, would it still be funny?
If you answer yes to any of the questions above, would you be laughing for the same reasons as you're laughing now?
I think the reason people find this funny is because it's women who are prostituting themselves. Nobody leaves school with the bright intention of working on sex lines. The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
There's something very distasteful going on here. What makes it worse is that some people are totally oblivious to why they find this so funny.
posted by humblepigeon at 7:43 AM on May 28, 2007
Thanks for this comment. I was fast beginning to lose faith with my fellow mefites. You're right--we're talking about abuse here.
Put it this way: If the voices on the other end of the line were those of men, would this still be funny? If they were gay men, would this be funny? If they were chlldren, would this still be funny? If the voices seemed to be from an obviously disadvantaged country, would it still be funny?
If you answer yes to any of the questions above, would you be laughing for the same reasons as you're laughing now?
I think the reason people find this funny is because it's women who are prostituting themselves. Nobody leaves school with the bright intention of working on sex lines. The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
There's something very distasteful going on here. What makes it worse is that some people are totally oblivious to why they find this so funny.
posted by humblepigeon at 7:43 AM on May 28, 2007
Oh for fuck's sake, come on.
I don't find this very funny, but I also don't find it offensive.
The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
I would say "phone sex operator" is among one of the most voluntary jobs on the entire planet, much less in the sex industry.
Usually the women work for some corporate behemoth that is likely many states, or even countries, away. It's not like there is a pimp in their kitchen who is going to bitchslap them if they don't give them their money. If they don't want to talk dirty at that moment, they don't have to pick up the telephone.
I will say this to you very clearly so there is no chance for misunderstanding:
There are no women who are being forced to work phone sex lines against their will.
If you think they are, then you are constructing reality to fit your fantasies.
Yeah, sometimes women find themselves in incredibly desperate situations and may turn to physical prostitution because they feel they have no other choice.
The women who do phone sex have to have a phone, a residence, often a computer with internet access... it is hardly a job of desperation.
There is a lot of real abuse in this world. Calling this abuse is profoundly ignorant and disrespectful.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:03 AM on May 28, 2007 [6 favorites]
I don't find this very funny, but I also don't find it offensive.
The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
I would say "phone sex operator" is among one of the most voluntary jobs on the entire planet, much less in the sex industry.
Usually the women work for some corporate behemoth that is likely many states, or even countries, away. It's not like there is a pimp in their kitchen who is going to bitchslap them if they don't give them their money. If they don't want to talk dirty at that moment, they don't have to pick up the telephone.
I will say this to you very clearly so there is no chance for misunderstanding:
There are no women who are being forced to work phone sex lines against their will.
If you think they are, then you are constructing reality to fit your fantasies.
Yeah, sometimes women find themselves in incredibly desperate situations and may turn to physical prostitution because they feel they have no other choice.
The women who do phone sex have to have a phone, a residence, often a computer with internet access... it is hardly a job of desperation.
There is a lot of real abuse in this world. Calling this abuse is profoundly ignorant and disrespectful.
posted by Ynoxas at 8:03 AM on May 28, 2007 [6 favorites]
There are few people who really love their jobs, humblepigeon. I would think after a day of pretending to be oh-so-turned on by ll these strange men, One of these calls would be the highlight of my day.
Oh, and hp? Please try not to read my mind so much so you could tell me what I don't realize I think. It gives me a headache.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 8:08 AM on May 28, 2007
Oh, and hp? Please try not to read my mind so much so you could tell me what I don't realize I think. It gives me a headache.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 8:08 AM on May 28, 2007
Speaking as a former "phone actress" myself, this guy is a total dipshit if he think's he's putting one over on anyone. HE'S the one paying for the call, the girl is GETTING PAID. He's definitely the chump here. Phone sex girls are prepared to deal with pretty much whatever's lobbed to them (with the exception of illegal stuff).
I confess I didn't actually listen to them but I doubt these calls are much weirder than some of the "real" calls they get each day. Plus if he's being genuinely funny (he's probably not although the Microsoft paper clip idea sounds pretty funny in theory) he probably just made the girl's day. Listening to lonely men's problems day in and day out gets a little wearing after awhile and some comic relief is always welcome.
I think his desperate need to make a fool out of women is what gives away his misogyny.
And FWIW, I DID become a phone actress out of choice. It wasn't my life's goal but neither are most people's jobs. I did it as a lark and because it paid well. I can't speak for everyone in the profession, but I definitely wasn't some poor underprivileged thing who was being taken advantage of. I was just a person with good listening skills and a fairly open mind who needed an easy way to make a buck for a while. I was in no way "damaged" by the experience and if the guys made me uncomfortable I simply hung up on them.
posted by Jess the Mess at 8:08 AM on May 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
I confess I didn't actually listen to them but I doubt these calls are much weirder than some of the "real" calls they get each day. Plus if he's being genuinely funny (he's probably not although the Microsoft paper clip idea sounds pretty funny in theory) he probably just made the girl's day. Listening to lonely men's problems day in and day out gets a little wearing after awhile and some comic relief is always welcome.
I think his desperate need to make a fool out of women is what gives away his misogyny.
And FWIW, I DID become a phone actress out of choice. It wasn't my life's goal but neither are most people's jobs. I did it as a lark and because it paid well. I can't speak for everyone in the profession, but I definitely wasn't some poor underprivileged thing who was being taken advantage of. I was just a person with good listening skills and a fairly open mind who needed an easy way to make a buck for a while. I was in no way "damaged" by the experience and if the guys made me uncomfortable I simply hung up on them.
posted by Jess the Mess at 8:08 AM on May 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
I surprise myself by finding I'm in agreement with Ynoxas.
Firstly, I don't think there's necessarily misogyny involved in this. I don't think we have enough information to make a judgment one way or the other, but to give him the benefit of the doubt, I'd say there's not.
Secondly, I very much would otherwise agree with those who are repulsed by dance for me, little monkey antics having fun with people in service positions that are professionally required to be subservient and accommodating if I thought that describes this situation. But the phone sex worker's job description is to play-act people's sexual fantasies and, let's face it, there's a lot of absurdity and the bizarre in sex fantasy. Probably a number of earnest requests each week strike the sex worker as equally weird as a Clippy fetish. So this isn't really that abnormal and unlike what the worker is doing all day, anyway.
I doubt that scatalogical BDSM fantasies are unusual or creeps many phone sex workers out, and because of this a customer with such fantasies isn't abusing the worker, either. Abuse would occur when the customer forces the worker to go to places that the customer knows will make the worker very uncomfortable. For example, it probably would be cruel to most workers to force them to play along with a de Sade scene. But these calls are nothing like that. The workers probably got a kick out of them, actually.
“I think his desperate need to make a fool out of women is what gives away his misogyny.”
I didn't get the impression that the joke was making fools out of the workers, but perhaps I missed something. It just seemed to me that the joke was the absurdity of his fantasies.
“Phone sex girls are prepared to deal with pretty much whatever's lobbed to them (with the exception of illegal stuff).”
What sex fantasy is actually illegal to merely talk about (in the US, anyway)??
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 8:26 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
Firstly, I don't think there's necessarily misogyny involved in this. I don't think we have enough information to make a judgment one way or the other, but to give him the benefit of the doubt, I'd say there's not.
Secondly, I very much would otherwise agree with those who are repulsed by dance for me, little monkey antics having fun with people in service positions that are professionally required to be subservient and accommodating if I thought that describes this situation. But the phone sex worker's job description is to play-act people's sexual fantasies and, let's face it, there's a lot of absurdity and the bizarre in sex fantasy. Probably a number of earnest requests each week strike the sex worker as equally weird as a Clippy fetish. So this isn't really that abnormal and unlike what the worker is doing all day, anyway.
I doubt that scatalogical BDSM fantasies are unusual or creeps many phone sex workers out, and because of this a customer with such fantasies isn't abusing the worker, either. Abuse would occur when the customer forces the worker to go to places that the customer knows will make the worker very uncomfortable. For example, it probably would be cruel to most workers to force them to play along with a de Sade scene. But these calls are nothing like that. The workers probably got a kick out of them, actually.
“I think his desperate need to make a fool out of women is what gives away his misogyny.”
I didn't get the impression that the joke was making fools out of the workers, but perhaps I missed something. It just seemed to me that the joke was the absurdity of his fantasies.
“Phone sex girls are prepared to deal with pretty much whatever's lobbed to them (with the exception of illegal stuff).”
What sex fantasy is actually illegal to merely talk about (in the US, anyway)??
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 8:26 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
The women who do phone sex have to have a phone, a residence, often a computer with internet access... it is hardly a job of desperation.
Really? So you really think people work these lines because they want to?
posted by humblepigeon at 8:33 AM on May 28, 2007
Really? So you really think people work these lines because they want to?
posted by humblepigeon at 8:33 AM on May 28, 2007
I don't know if it's actually illegal to talk about anything but where I worked the policy was to immediately disconnect calls that got into underage/bestality/whatever other illegal acts. Which I thought was a pretty good policy.
Like I said, I didn't actually listen to the calls (can't have sound on this computer), but the phrasing of this particular preface: "She gets pretty into the clown thing. Hmmm...I hope she's not crying on the inside." has a distinct ring of bullying to it - unless I'm totally missing something.
posted by Jess the Mess at 8:34 AM on May 28, 2007
Like I said, I didn't actually listen to the calls (can't have sound on this computer), but the phrasing of this particular preface: "She gets pretty into the clown thing. Hmmm...I hope she's not crying on the inside." has a distinct ring of bullying to it - unless I'm totally missing something.
posted by Jess the Mess at 8:34 AM on May 28, 2007
I know people who have done it, HP, and they found it enjoyable... for a job... and it payed the bills. They found it more enjoyable than I found my (then) job, and they got paid better than I did, too. Of course there are places where, like your link, they are taken advantage of by their employers. I've worked at restaurants where very similar things happened as well.
You sem to mistake a job for something that you are supposed to love. Maybe you're that lucky. Most of us aren't. And there are far lower-paying, and more unpleasant, jobs that people do that you're not complaining about.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 8:47 AM on May 28, 2007
You sem to mistake a job for something that you are supposed to love. Maybe you're that lucky. Most of us aren't. And there are far lower-paying, and more unpleasant, jobs that people do that you're not complaining about.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 8:47 AM on May 28, 2007
for four dollars a minute, you can call me any damn thing you want. that's almost what i used to bill when i retired from law in 1995. humblepigeon, if you feel this is exploitation, i'll give you a special memorial day deal to ease some of the pain. just for today, you can talk dirty to me for free.
posted by bruce at 8:53 AM on May 28, 2007
posted by bruce at 8:53 AM on May 28, 2007
If it has to do with sex it must be bad.
If these were waitresses answering a phone at a bar and this guy was asking for Amanda Huginkiss nobody would say anything about anybody being exploited.
If it's about sex it must be bad.
Put it this way: If the voices on the other end of the line were those of men, would this still be funny? If they were gay men, would this be funny? If they were chlldren, would this still be funny?
Oh Jeeze. If this was a child, a gay man, or a frigg'n member of the Yanamamo tribe who found a cell phone in the frigg'n jungle it wouldn't be funny because IT'S NOT FUNNY NOW... but neither would it be offensive. But since the context of the intended joke had to do with sex workers it would also be non-sequitor to any other target. Like setting up a knock-knock joke and having the other person go "POOOOOOPIE" instead of "Whose there."
posted by tkchrist at 8:57 AM on May 28, 2007 [3 favorites]
If these were waitresses answering a phone at a bar and this guy was asking for Amanda Huginkiss nobody would say anything about anybody being exploited.
If it's about sex it must be bad.
Put it this way: If the voices on the other end of the line were those of men, would this still be funny? If they were gay men, would this be funny? If they were chlldren, would this still be funny?
Oh Jeeze. If this was a child, a gay man, or a frigg'n member of the Yanamamo tribe who found a cell phone in the frigg'n jungle it wouldn't be funny because IT'S NOT FUNNY NOW... but neither would it be offensive. But since the context of the intended joke had to do with sex workers it would also be non-sequitor to any other target. Like setting up a knock-knock joke and having the other person go "POOOOOOPIE" instead of "Whose there."
posted by tkchrist at 8:57 AM on May 28, 2007 [3 favorites]
It was only a matter of time before the anxious hand-wringing over the plight of the subjugated, exploited Group X began. I was getting worried! Of course, when you look at the economics, a significant portion of the women operating the lines might be black, so this could be racist. And we've all heard how they have a lot of heavy-set women working those things, like we have seen in the movies, so it must be ... FATIST!
It's very, very difficult to find humor that cannot be construed to be ... something-ist. You're basically left with the categories of Amusing Things about the English Language and Gosh, That Doesn't Make Sense. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to live in a world where the only sources of humor are Stephen Wright and the Family Circus. I like Wright, just not that much.
Did you laugh at the "I put on my robe and wizard hat" thing? I can find plenty wrong with it, and a lot wrong with you for finding it funny, you exploitative pig.
posted by adipocere at 8:58 AM on May 28, 2007
It's very, very difficult to find humor that cannot be construed to be ... something-ist. You're basically left with the categories of Amusing Things about the English Language and Gosh, That Doesn't Make Sense. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't want to live in a world where the only sources of humor are Stephen Wright and the Family Circus. I like Wright, just not that much.
Did you laugh at the "I put on my robe and wizard hat" thing? I can find plenty wrong with it, and a lot wrong with you for finding it funny, you exploitative pig.
posted by adipocere at 8:58 AM on May 28, 2007
Of course there are places where, like your link, they are taken advantage of by their employers. I've worked at restaurants where very similar things happened as well.
I've worked at law firms that exploited me worse than this. It makes me wish I'd taken up phone sex work instead -- probably would've made more money, too. Ah, well. Something to think about when the craft book fad dies down. I'll do anything if if doesn't involved being trapped in a fluorescent-lit hell all day.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:00 AM on May 28, 2007
I've worked at law firms that exploited me worse than this. It makes me wish I'd taken up phone sex work instead -- probably would've made more money, too. Ah, well. Something to think about when the craft book fad dies down. I'll do anything if if doesn't involved being trapped in a fluorescent-lit hell all day.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:00 AM on May 28, 2007
You sem to mistake a job for something that you are supposed to love. Maybe you're that lucky. Most of us aren't. And there are far lower-paying, and more unpleasant, jobs that people do that you're not complaining about.
I think you're side-tracking my argument here. That's cool, because you make some good points. Yes, all work is prostitution. We all work for money, and not because we're so damned happy to do what we do. Yes, it's an essential freedom that people can work on these lines if they want to, and it is "just another job" to many people.
But my argument wasn't related to whether people do this out of choice (and both men and women work these lines).
It's about whether this particular humor comes from the fact that this guy is making fun of women who are prostituting themselves. And also whether the people who find this funny are finding it funny for that reason. That's why I think it's misogyny.
There's a very persuasive argument that rape begins with "innocent" sexist jokes.... That racist assaults begin with racist jokes.
These recordings dehmanise the women at the other end of the line. They dehumanise all women who are employed in the sex business.
It's playing with fire, especially amongst some people whose mental makeup makes them sensitive to this kind of thing... The kind of people who have deep and dangerous issues.
I still hold this point of view, and nothing anybody has said so far has changed my mind. I don't find this funny. I think it's wrong. I won't censor it, but don't ask me to chuckle, or to stand-by while mefites who should know better fawn over this kind of crap.
posted by humblepigeon at 9:01 AM on May 28, 2007
I think you're side-tracking my argument here. That's cool, because you make some good points. Yes, all work is prostitution. We all work for money, and not because we're so damned happy to do what we do. Yes, it's an essential freedom that people can work on these lines if they want to, and it is "just another job" to many people.
But my argument wasn't related to whether people do this out of choice (and both men and women work these lines).
It's about whether this particular humor comes from the fact that this guy is making fun of women who are prostituting themselves. And also whether the people who find this funny are finding it funny for that reason. That's why I think it's misogyny.
There's a very persuasive argument that rape begins with "innocent" sexist jokes.... That racist assaults begin with racist jokes.
These recordings dehmanise the women at the other end of the line. They dehumanise all women who are employed in the sex business.
It's playing with fire, especially amongst some people whose mental makeup makes them sensitive to this kind of thing... The kind of people who have deep and dangerous issues.
I still hold this point of view, and nothing anybody has said so far has changed my mind. I don't find this funny. I think it's wrong. I won't censor it, but don't ask me to chuckle, or to stand-by while mefites who should know better fawn over this kind of crap.
posted by humblepigeon at 9:01 AM on May 28, 2007
I thought these were funny. I don't think they were meant to 'put one over' on the ladies on the phone, it was to create a humorous recording.
And frankly, as a former telemarketer, I really don't buy into the 'plight' of phone sex operators (or for anyone whose job involves a phone for that matter) whatsoever.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 9:11 AM on May 28, 2007
And frankly, as a former telemarketer, I really don't buy into the 'plight' of phone sex operators (or for anyone whose job involves a phone for that matter) whatsoever.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 9:11 AM on May 28, 2007
"She gets pretty into the clown thing. Hmmm...I hope she's not crying on the inside." has a distinct ring of bullying to it - unless I'm totally missing something.
Jess the Mess, I thought of Pagliacci, "The Tears of a Clown," and the less well known "Everybody Loves a Clown." That doesn't guarantee there wasn't some bullying, or belittling, or whatever, but it sounds like a throwaway one-liner to me.
posted by pax digita at 9:14 AM on May 28, 2007
Jess the Mess, I thought of Pagliacci, "The Tears of a Clown," and the less well known "Everybody Loves a Clown." That doesn't guarantee there wasn't some bullying, or belittling, or whatever, but it sounds like a throwaway one-liner to me.
posted by pax digita at 9:14 AM on May 28, 2007
There's a very persuasive argument that rape begins with "innocent" sexist jokes.... That racist assaults begin with racist jokes.
For my money, there's a very persuasive argument that Everyone's a little bit racist.
Seriously though, humor only encourages bigotry in people who are bigoted already, or in young kids who don't know better yet. I'd be interested to see your argument otherwise.
posted by Arturus at 10:05 AM on May 28, 2007
For my money, there's a very persuasive argument that Everyone's a little bit racist.
Seriously though, humor only encourages bigotry in people who are bigoted already, or in young kids who don't know better yet. I'd be interested to see your argument otherwise.
posted by Arturus at 10:05 AM on May 28, 2007
I listened to a bit of the clippy video, and it wasn't particually funny, but I'm pretty sure I heard the girl stifle a laugh at the start there. She's not being exploited here. Maybe by the phone sex industry, but not by this caller.
He just comes off sounding sort of dumb.
posted by Arturus at 10:09 AM on May 28, 2007
He just comes off sounding sort of dumb.
posted by Arturus at 10:09 AM on May 28, 2007
I don't think these pranks are hilarious, but I don't think they are misogynist, either. At the core of any prank, the person doing the pranking is a bit selfish and bit of a jerk, because, until the prank is done with, he or she doesn't know how their targets will react.
There are a couple types of pranks I can think of, that you might see in/as entertainment (like, as opposed, to you pranking your friends and family)
1. In one, you take people outside of their comfort zones and see how long you can keep them there.
2. You act in a way where the people around you let down their guard and show
3. You see how much absurdity a person is willing to accept or go along with when put on the spot, even though it will look completely outlandish to the observer.
On Da Ali G Show and Punk'd (as well as with Wondershowzen, Candid Camera, the radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, the Jerky Boys and every hacky morning radio talk show host in America), you can see all three, and permutations of the three, in full effect.
As far as pranks go, this guy is pretty nice to his subjects. He's never insulting, not a nuisance, and pays them. I don't think he took them out of their comfort zone, so much as he gets them to say things that may or may not be out of the ordinary for their rarified profession, and say it as if it is not abnormal at all.
Because they are all women, and because they are all sex workers of a kind, it's easy to heap on claims of abuse, but I don't see it.
If it was done well, I would laugh if the person on the other end was a man, woman, or child. I think it would be stupid for the prank guy not to try gay phone sex lines. I would really like to hear him call someone as a person with a Bela Lugosi-as-a-vampire fetish, or as someone who wants to fuck God (any God...Jesus, Vishnu, Kali, Zeus) but I'm hungover so maybe that's only me and those are shitty ideas.
posted by elr at 10:31 AM on May 28, 2007
There are a couple types of pranks I can think of, that you might see in/as entertainment (like, as opposed, to you pranking your friends and family)
1. In one, you take people outside of their comfort zones and see how long you can keep them there.
2. You act in a way where the people around you let down their guard and show
3. You see how much absurdity a person is willing to accept or go along with when put on the spot, even though it will look completely outlandish to the observer.
On Da Ali G Show and Punk'd (as well as with Wondershowzen, Candid Camera, the radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, the Jerky Boys and every hacky morning radio talk show host in America), you can see all three, and permutations of the three, in full effect.
As far as pranks go, this guy is pretty nice to his subjects. He's never insulting, not a nuisance, and pays them. I don't think he took them out of their comfort zone, so much as he gets them to say things that may or may not be out of the ordinary for their rarified profession, and say it as if it is not abnormal at all.
Because they are all women, and because they are all sex workers of a kind, it's easy to heap on claims of abuse, but I don't see it.
If it was done well, I would laugh if the person on the other end was a man, woman, or child. I think it would be stupid for the prank guy not to try gay phone sex lines. I would really like to hear him call someone as a person with a Bela Lugosi-as-a-vampire fetish, or as someone who wants to fuck God (any God...Jesus, Vishnu, Kali, Zeus) but I'm hungover so maybe that's only me and those are shitty ideas.
posted by elr at 10:31 AM on May 28, 2007
Thank you for posting this. The Clippy stuff is soooo hot!
posted by mds35 at 10:42 AM on May 28, 2007
posted by mds35 at 10:42 AM on May 28, 2007
I can't think of a job as exploitative and dehumanizing as comedian. Those poor bastards will do anything, no matter how humiliating, to try to make someone laugh, and 99% of the time they make zero money for it! At least a musician or an actor can assess his own talent by some fairly objective metric. A comedian can only keep doing the "like me!" dance, and hope somebody does, while waiting tables.
If as an adult my daughter started working as a phone sex girl, I'd think, that will probably make her cynical and that's a shame. If she wanted to be a comedian, I'd be more like Oh dear God NOOOOO!
posted by Methylviolet at 10:49 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
If as an adult my daughter started working as a phone sex girl, I'd think, that will probably make her cynical and that's a shame. If she wanted to be a comedian, I'd be more like Oh dear God NOOOOO!
posted by Methylviolet at 10:49 AM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
But my argument wasn't related to whether people do this out of choice
Actually, it was. That was the sum total of part of your argument.
Finding a Local News 5! story about an exploited worker has nothing to do with phone sex lines or the industry.
Your statement was:
The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
And despite appeal to common sense, and even a former phone sex worker disputing this, you offer nothing to support this off-the-wall viewpoint except a story about a woman who DID want to do the work, but got ripped off by a dishonest employer.
So, I'm still waiting for you to present some kind of evidence that can refute the 1st person account in this thread that, indeed, this industry is enslaving and oppressive and anyone who says otherwise is "constructing a reality to fit your fantasies".
posted by Ynoxas at 10:49 AM on May 28, 2007
Actually, it was. That was the sum total of part of your argument.
Finding a Local News 5! story about an exploited worker has nothing to do with phone sex lines or the industry.
Your statement was:
The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
And despite appeal to common sense, and even a former phone sex worker disputing this, you offer nothing to support this off-the-wall viewpoint except a story about a woman who DID want to do the work, but got ripped off by a dishonest employer.
So, I'm still waiting for you to present some kind of evidence that can refute the 1st person account in this thread that, indeed, this industry is enslaving and oppressive and anyone who says otherwise is "constructing a reality to fit your fantasies".
posted by Ynoxas at 10:49 AM on May 28, 2007
Also in defense of phone sex as a legitimate job opportunity: I felt that I got to hold on to a lot more of my dignity working as phone actress than in the various retail/administrative jobs I've had over the years. I never had to kiss customer ass and was totally in control of the transaction the entire time. If someone got out of line we could tell them to cheese off with impunity. Contrast this with various retail jobs where you get paid a quarter as much and have to go around acting like a worm all day so an evil corporation can make more money in day than you'll ever see in a lifetime.
I can see how this type of work might be traumatizing for some people and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's suffered any kind of sexual abuse. I'm sure there are shady operations out there but the one I worked for was very no-nonsense and on-the-level. They also put their employees safety and comfort before all else. How many employers can you say that about? In addition, many women who do this are independent contractors. It's hard to see the exploitation in that.
posted by Jess the Mess at 11:20 AM on May 28, 2007
I can see how this type of work might be traumatizing for some people and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's suffered any kind of sexual abuse. I'm sure there are shady operations out there but the one I worked for was very no-nonsense and on-the-level. They also put their employees safety and comfort before all else. How many employers can you say that about? In addition, many women who do this are independent contractors. It's hard to see the exploitation in that.
posted by Jess the Mess at 11:20 AM on May 28, 2007
There's a very persuasive argument that rape begins with "innocent" sexist jokes.... That racist assaults begin with racist jokes.
And video games lead to serial murder!!!! Ohes Noes!!!
posted by tkchrist at 12:18 PM on May 28, 2007
i too have worked for a short time as a phone actress. it was something i did because i was curious and i needed the money (the place i worked for was suddenly shut down by the Feds). i too think that there are likely those who do it out of desperation (i could be included in that), however, it is (for the well-adjusted) a pretty cool job. you get to sit around in your jammies, smoke pot all day, and play act for a bunch of (mostly) weirdos on the phone. it was generally a combination of disturbing and hilarious. my friends loved me when i came out to the bar afterward and told them all my stories.
and it really is an acting gig, which means following the lead of the caller in any and all requests. these women did a fine job of running with it because that is the talent that is required of you. and no, i don't think that any of these women was truthfully "pranked" since phone chicks get calls all the time from people who think they're pulling a "prank"--like teenagers at parties, or whatnot. no biggie. it's an entertaining sort of gig, and a welcome relief from the same-old whisperer in the bathroom trying to get off without his wife hearing him. those are annoying cuz you keep having to say "what?" and the only thing annoying about a prank is that you have to wonder if they're going to stiff you or hang up suddenly or whether they're underaged, which means you've gotta hang up on them, according to policy.
i once had a guy who spent a good fifteen minutes on the phone while i had to talk about feeding a horse an apple. try doing that in a sexy voice without laughing.
I think the reason people find this funny is because it's women who are prostituting themselves. Nobody leaves school with the bright intention of working on sex lines. The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
okay. i'm sure there are plenty of disadvantaged girls out there who think they can do this job as a last resort sort of thing. some of them even do. but it's not a job for those who aren't quick on their feet, so to speak. most women who do it are young moms who don't want to have to do daycare. that's reality. a lot of them are dilettantes/college students/musicians/artists doing it for a lark. and although it's sometimes--okay, often-- depressing and disturbing, it really gave me an incredible window into a deep dark world of men's (and sometimes women's) minds. it was awesome for that, and as a writer, i have often thought about doing it again for that.
that woman who got cheated? she's not alone. there are lots of phone sex workers who've been cheated. but that's not because it's phone sex, it's because the industry has got a big streak of fly-by-nightism, like any home employment. and the big companies, which i worked for, pay shit. it isn't the kind of work you want to do if you want to make big money part-time. those who really put their spirit into it and work for themselves are the ones who do well.
I think his desperate need to make a fool out of women is what gives away his misogyny.
that's true. he's a jerk. but most of the guys who call phone sex workers are. they're also often pretty pathetic. even though they were taped, i think that these women should be proud of the job they did with an obvious prankster. i applaud their creativity and ability to do it without openly laughing. i'm pretty sure i wouldn't have done such a fine job myself.
What sex fantasy is actually illegal to merely talk about (in the US, anyway)??
when you work for the big wigs like Brownwood or its many subsidiaries (which is the company that pays crappy and most newbies end up working for, since it requires nothing in the way of "trolling" on chatrooms or other self-promotion), you are not allowed to talk underaged, bestiality or other things that are illegal (like kidnapping and rape). this is a game that callers often like to play with you, so you often feel like you are being entrapped when you're new at it. it's all about steering the conversation without getting hung up on. and if you really need the money, it sucks.
independents often do better because they are willing to talk about *anything*. and age-play and bestiality are very very common requests. so no, it isn't illegal, but most companies have restrictions.
i'm sure the biggest problem these women had with prankster dude was that he didn't stay on the line longer. he brought down their hold time average, which is what the game is all about.
i disagree that being an independent contractor takes you out of the exploitation realm. loads of women complain about Brownwood and how it seems like there might be instant-hangups done deliberately to them to keep their hold-times down. the longer your average, the higher pay scale you get, and there's no way of knowing if you're getting shafted. the way to do this job and do well is to work for a reputable company (competition for getting hired is fierce), or work completely independently or for a small co-op. this takes a lot of work, and isn't something that can be done part-time.
i would do this job again for the entertainment/research, but not for the money.
posted by RedEmma at 12:19 PM on May 28, 2007 [3 favorites]
and it really is an acting gig, which means following the lead of the caller in any and all requests. these women did a fine job of running with it because that is the talent that is required of you. and no, i don't think that any of these women was truthfully "pranked" since phone chicks get calls all the time from people who think they're pulling a "prank"--like teenagers at parties, or whatnot. no biggie. it's an entertaining sort of gig, and a welcome relief from the same-old whisperer in the bathroom trying to get off without his wife hearing him. those are annoying cuz you keep having to say "what?" and the only thing annoying about a prank is that you have to wonder if they're going to stiff you or hang up suddenly or whether they're underaged, which means you've gotta hang up on them, according to policy.
i once had a guy who spent a good fifteen minutes on the phone while i had to talk about feeding a horse an apple. try doing that in a sexy voice without laughing.
I think the reason people find this funny is because it's women who are prostituting themselves. Nobody leaves school with the bright intention of working on sex lines. The women doing this aren't doing it out of choice (and if you believe they are, you really are constructing a reality to fit your fantasies).
okay. i'm sure there are plenty of disadvantaged girls out there who think they can do this job as a last resort sort of thing. some of them even do. but it's not a job for those who aren't quick on their feet, so to speak. most women who do it are young moms who don't want to have to do daycare. that's reality. a lot of them are dilettantes/college students/musicians/artists doing it for a lark. and although it's sometimes--okay, often-- depressing and disturbing, it really gave me an incredible window into a deep dark world of men's (and sometimes women's) minds. it was awesome for that, and as a writer, i have often thought about doing it again for that.
that woman who got cheated? she's not alone. there are lots of phone sex workers who've been cheated. but that's not because it's phone sex, it's because the industry has got a big streak of fly-by-nightism, like any home employment. and the big companies, which i worked for, pay shit. it isn't the kind of work you want to do if you want to make big money part-time. those who really put their spirit into it and work for themselves are the ones who do well.
I think his desperate need to make a fool out of women is what gives away his misogyny.
that's true. he's a jerk. but most of the guys who call phone sex workers are. they're also often pretty pathetic. even though they were taped, i think that these women should be proud of the job they did with an obvious prankster. i applaud their creativity and ability to do it without openly laughing. i'm pretty sure i wouldn't have done such a fine job myself.
What sex fantasy is actually illegal to merely talk about (in the US, anyway)??
when you work for the big wigs like Brownwood or its many subsidiaries (which is the company that pays crappy and most newbies end up working for, since it requires nothing in the way of "trolling" on chatrooms or other self-promotion), you are not allowed to talk underaged, bestiality or other things that are illegal (like kidnapping and rape). this is a game that callers often like to play with you, so you often feel like you are being entrapped when you're new at it. it's all about steering the conversation without getting hung up on. and if you really need the money, it sucks.
independents often do better because they are willing to talk about *anything*. and age-play and bestiality are very very common requests. so no, it isn't illegal, but most companies have restrictions.
i'm sure the biggest problem these women had with prankster dude was that he didn't stay on the line longer. he brought down their hold time average, which is what the game is all about.
i disagree that being an independent contractor takes you out of the exploitation realm. loads of women complain about Brownwood and how it seems like there might be instant-hangups done deliberately to them to keep their hold-times down. the longer your average, the higher pay scale you get, and there's no way of knowing if you're getting shafted. the way to do this job and do well is to work for a reputable company (competition for getting hired is fierce), or work completely independently or for a small co-op. this takes a lot of work, and isn't something that can be done part-time.
i would do this job again for the entertainment/research, but not for the money.
posted by RedEmma at 12:19 PM on May 28, 2007 [3 favorites]
It's just an adult version of making fun of the fat kid in school. People laugh pretty much because they're grateful they're not the target this time around.
posted by troybob at 4:54 PM on May 28, 2007
posted by troybob at 4:54 PM on May 28, 2007
This reminds me of one of the funniest Loveline calls--the phone sex operator who brings up the Holocaust. Here's the youtube clip--you can skip to about 4:00 if you want to skip the set up.
posted by mullacc at 5:12 PM on May 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by mullacc at 5:12 PM on May 28, 2007 [2 favorites]
Thank you, mullacc
That clip is stone-cold hilarious, though I have to recommend the set up to any listeners.
posted by uri at 7:30 PM on May 28, 2007
That clip is stone-cold hilarious, though I have to recommend the set up to any listeners.
posted by uri at 7:30 PM on May 28, 2007
*shudder*
now, Adam Corolla... that's a guy i don't want to talk to on the phone.
posted by RedEmma at 9:28 PM on May 28, 2007
now, Adam Corolla... that's a guy i don't want to talk to on the phone.
posted by RedEmma at 9:28 PM on May 28, 2007
Man, the clippy girl is having a good time with this guy:
"I wanna open a file on your fucking face baby!"
posted by iamck at 10:22 PM on May 28, 2007
"I wanna open a file on your fucking face baby!"
posted by iamck at 10:22 PM on May 28, 2007
[IB's wife here]
I work as a PSO currently. I sure hope this guy got permission to use the recordings of these calls. I run domination lines (mostly) and in addition to charging between $2.99 and $25.00/minute, I also charge for recordings at similar per-minute rates, and these recordings help me by being available when I'm not. If I found out someone who had called me had used a recording of my voice in this manner, I would be more than a little pissed off.
In fact, because I keep notes on every caller (likes/dislikes, odd fetishes, etc), I would be able to tell exactly which caller had phoned me and done this. Even if I found it too expensive to take legal action, his name would be mud. If he ever wanted to use a credit card in his name to get phone sex services again (and I'll guarantee you this wasn't the first time he called the services -- sounds to me like someone who got pissed off at phone sex operators after being overcharged or whatever by one), he'd have to find an operator or service that didn't see the industry-wide client blacklist. Phone sex companies don't take kindly to wankers re-using conversations or posting them on the web. I'm going to make sure I post this to a rather large board of phone sex operators. If one of them received one of these calls, the least we can all do is make sure he stops recording illegally.
I personally would not care about being "pranked." I have heard many calls that could be a "prank," but at a rate of $3 or more per minute, about $1.60 of which is pure profit for me, I'll draw their prank out as long as possible.
If you know what I mean.
And I think you do.
posted by InnocentBystander at 11:28 PM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
I work as a PSO currently. I sure hope this guy got permission to use the recordings of these calls. I run domination lines (mostly) and in addition to charging between $2.99 and $25.00/minute, I also charge for recordings at similar per-minute rates, and these recordings help me by being available when I'm not. If I found out someone who had called me had used a recording of my voice in this manner, I would be more than a little pissed off.
In fact, because I keep notes on every caller (likes/dislikes, odd fetishes, etc), I would be able to tell exactly which caller had phoned me and done this. Even if I found it too expensive to take legal action, his name would be mud. If he ever wanted to use a credit card in his name to get phone sex services again (and I'll guarantee you this wasn't the first time he called the services -- sounds to me like someone who got pissed off at phone sex operators after being overcharged or whatever by one), he'd have to find an operator or service that didn't see the industry-wide client blacklist. Phone sex companies don't take kindly to wankers re-using conversations or posting them on the web. I'm going to make sure I post this to a rather large board of phone sex operators. If one of them received one of these calls, the least we can all do is make sure he stops recording illegally.
I personally would not care about being "pranked." I have heard many calls that could be a "prank," but at a rate of $3 or more per minute, about $1.60 of which is pure profit for me, I'll draw their prank out as long as possible.
If you know what I mean.
And I think you do.
posted by InnocentBystander at 11:28 PM on May 28, 2007 [1 favorite]
You seem to forget that in many states one party recording consent is still the rule. New York is one of these states. He didn't break the law and, unless the terms of service are spelled out clearly on the line and state 'NO RECORDING', he didn't breach any contract either. But don't let that stop you from hating.
posted by IronLizard at 12:10 AM on May 29, 2007
posted by IronLizard at 12:10 AM on May 29, 2007
I can't think of a job as exploitative and dehumanizing as comedian. Those poor bastards will do anything, no matter how humiliating, to try to make someone laugh, and 99% of the time they make zero money for it! At least a musician or an actor can assess his own talent by some fairly objective metric. A comedian can only keep doing the "like me!" dance, and hope somebody does, while waiting tables.
Yowza. I hope you're kidding there.
If not, I'm going to politely direct your attention to..
(do a ctrl-F or command-F for "comedian) :
http://members.forbes.com/forbes/2006/0703/131.html?token=MjkgTWF5IDIwMDcgMDc6MDc6NDcgKzAwMDA%253D
and :
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_5_35/ai_n8708920
The exploitative/dehumanizing comics you speak of are hack comics, plain and simple. By all means, do what you can to prevent your kids/friends/family from becoming one of those, but there's a huge difference between hacks and artists.
posted by revmitcz at 12:13 AM on May 29, 2007
Yowza. I hope you're kidding there.
If not, I'm going to politely direct your attention to..
(do a ctrl-F or command-F for "comedian) :
http://members.forbes.com/forbes/2006/0703/131.html?token=MjkgTWF5IDIwMDcgMDc6MDc6NDcgKzAwMDA%253D
and :
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_5_35/ai_n8708920
The exploitative/dehumanizing comics you speak of are hack comics, plain and simple. By all means, do what you can to prevent your kids/friends/family from becoming one of those, but there's a huge difference between hacks and artists.
posted by revmitcz at 12:13 AM on May 29, 2007
Wow, I'm glad to see The Square Patrol is out in full force 2nite. We're really getting worked up over a paper clip fetish?
These girls are some of the best improv actors I've ever heard. Your high school drama club should be so lucky as to find sexy-voiced chicks that can make Clippy sound even marginally erotic! I want to hire these women and do some sort of radio drama with them and revive a long lost art. This is great!
These recordings don't seem to imply anything about these women other than: they're pretty good at what they do. You've got some strange fetish that no one's ever heard of? Give 'em a call and they'll take an honest crack at it, and you'll only be out $3.99 a minute.
In other news: remember that Loveline where the PSO didn't know what the Holocaust was? Man, that was a riot.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 12:49 AM on May 29, 2007
These girls are some of the best improv actors I've ever heard. Your high school drama club should be so lucky as to find sexy-voiced chicks that can make Clippy sound even marginally erotic! I want to hire these women and do some sort of radio drama with them and revive a long lost art. This is great!
These recordings don't seem to imply anything about these women other than: they're pretty good at what they do. You've got some strange fetish that no one's ever heard of? Give 'em a call and they'll take an honest crack at it, and you'll only be out $3.99 a minute.
In other news: remember that Loveline where the PSO didn't know what the Holocaust was? Man, that was a riot.
posted by Doublewhiskeycokenoice at 12:49 AM on May 29, 2007
In other news: remember that Loveline where the PSO didn't know what the Holocaust was? Man, that was a riot.
Yeah, I remembered around 6:12pm yesterday. ;)
posted by mullacc at 3:36 AM on May 29, 2007
Yeah, I remembered around 6:12pm yesterday. ;)
posted by mullacc at 3:36 AM on May 29, 2007
“Wow, I'm glad to see The Square Patrol is out in full force 2nite. We're really getting worked up over a paper clip fetish?”
Hello? I don't see anyone getting "worked up" about a "paper clip fetish". I don't know where you're getting this "Square Patrol" bullshit from.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 3:50 AM on May 29, 2007
Hello? I don't see anyone getting "worked up" about a "paper clip fetish". I don't know where you're getting this "Square Patrol" bullshit from.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 3:50 AM on May 29, 2007
Way to sap out everything that is fun about this, MetaFilter.
sounds to me like someone who got pissed off at phone sex operators after being overcharged or whatever by one
I think you're overshooting there - I don't know him personally, but the guy's a comedian, he's clearly just going for a laugh.
posted by hellbient at 8:17 AM on May 29, 2007
sounds to me like someone who got pissed off at phone sex operators after being overcharged or whatever by one
I think you're overshooting there - I don't know him personally, but the guy's a comedian, he's clearly just going for a laugh.
posted by hellbient at 8:17 AM on May 29, 2007
Was there ever a more depressing phrase in the English language than "prank phone call"?
And you all saw that phrase in the post and listened to it anyway. What the fuck were you expecting, exactly? The ultimate triumph of hope over experience?
This one started off extremely badly and just went right downhill from there, didn't it?
posted by genghis at 10:06 AM on May 29, 2007
And you all saw that phrase in the post and listened to it anyway. What the fuck were you expecting, exactly? The ultimate triumph of hope over experience?
This one started off extremely badly and just went right downhill from there, didn't it?
posted by genghis at 10:06 AM on May 29, 2007
Yes but has anyone else noticed he sounds just like Sylar from Heroes?
posted by Damienmce at 2:47 PM on May 29, 2007
posted by Damienmce at 2:47 PM on May 29, 2007
« Older MTV for emotaku | Demetri Martin - Some Jokes Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Kattullus at 12:39 AM on May 28, 2007