Watching this, my main thought was that this was probably not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last. I’m frankly surprised we hadn’t seen a similar hoax years ago, since every time I flip on a morning news show, it seems like someone is highlighting the latest newfangled diet or bizarre workout routine that doesn’t seem all that believable (I’m still not convinced that the Shake Weight is actually a real product).

I guess when you’re on the air Monday through Friday with all of those hours to fill, your show bookers are bound to get a bit lazy with their research, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas time. What’s amazing is that “Chef Keith Guerke” (a phony name), managed to get himself booked on not one, but FIVE Illinois news programs…without the slightest clue about how to cook. “Chef Keith” was portrayed by Nick Prueher, and the character was co-created by Joe Pickett. The two men also created the Found Footage Festival, which is now touring. They say the food used in the phony segments was actually day-old KFC…since most restaurants were closed for the holidays.

Here’s an uncut version of one of the appearances, courtesy of WITI: