TRICKERS AND ‘TRICKEES’
It has been my good fortune to have had years of wonderful healing laughter watching Candid Camera pranks: as a New Yorker, a Washingtonian, and now as a resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Now, more than ever we need that laughter. I realize that our society is a lot more "blasé," sophisticated and less easily fooled than the comparatively innocent folks of your Dad's era. Therefore, in watching the "new" CC, I am aware that by filming so extensively in California, the potential "trickees" are by now often not very surprised that they are on CC and a lot of the fun is diminished. Is it a budgetary problem that keeps you from filming in other locales?

And please, Peter...you are SO recognizable with your long white hair and ball cap and similarity to your Dad. Why do compound the problem discussed above by appearing in so many of the clips? I'm not the only one that finds it annoying. If you must appear, how about at least an attempt at a disguise? Please consider wearing a wig, glasses, mustache etc., if you absolutely must appear in the stunts. We need this show! I hope you'll keep trying to think of ways to improve.
—H.B. Guild

Peter’s reply: This letter raises many interesting questions. Here’s my view…

We go to as many different locations as our budget will allow. In fact, this season we’ve already been in: Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Arizona, Utah, Connecticut, Indiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Hawaii and New Jersey — plus New York and California. Still, I wish we could travel even more.

Your other point leaves me completely confused. If people don't recognize me — and they don't, until it's too late — why would I bother with a disguise? And why, oh why, does this "annoy" you and your friends? As to the “trickees” (we call them “subjects”), with each passing year they are more surprised, not less. And, to be honest, they respond a little bit more when I’m the one telling them it’s Candid Camera rather than someone else on our staff.

But...thanks for watching. And keep smiling.

LIKING IT MORE
We all love Candid Camera. The old clips are GREAT and the new stunts are even funnier. I can't wait for more new shows to be aired. I really like the addition of Dina as co-host.
—The Peterson Family, Evergreen Park, Illinois

HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST
The episode where restaurant customers have to make a reservation on a phone that's four feet away from the hostess stand was absolutely HILARIOUS. It was probably one of the funniest I have ever seen. The actress who played the hostess was extremely good. I don't know how she kept a straight face. My friend and I were laughing hysterically. So I would just like to thank you. I would also like to request that you do that prank again with the same actress. I would love to watch more of that.
—Stacie Jarman
Los Angeles

Peter’s reply: The hostess was played by Linda. She did a great job, but I hope she doesn’t see this letter or we’ll have to start paying her more.

FATHER AND DAUGHTER, 30 YEARS LATER!
Just wanted to let you know you have caught a second generation on your show! My husband was on "grooming" is calf during the Houston Livestock Show, sometime between 1960 and 1664. The sequence was set to music. Our daughter was caught in Arlington as you were trying to get people to "adopt" a portion of a shopping center. Catching more than one family member may happen regularly but we thought it unusual. You all continue to put on quality, fun entertainment and we certainly appreciate that! Good luck for the next 30 years!
—Mrs. Buck Thomason
(mother of Stacy Thomason Zamarippa)

‘DISPOSABLE’ HUMOR
A few weeks ago I saw a segment on Candid Camera about disposable cellular phones. Well, guess what? There really is such a thing. Check out their website at: www.hop-on.com
—Bo Guess
Canton, Ohio

DISAPPOINTED
I just wanted to let you know that I was very disappointed in your September 29 show. I thought the segment where you set up a fake security station at the lumber shop was in very poor taste.
We have security checks for our safety, especially since September 11. Do you think that the families that lost loved ones due to that attack would think this would be funny? What are you thinking? I could not believe that you even had the guy say, "its for your safety."
—Lisa Anderson
Bates City, Missouri

Peter’s reply: Obviously we see it differently. We were as troubled by the 9/11 tragedy as anyone. But we also believe that some “security” measures have since gotten out of hand and are ridiculous. That’s what our joke was about. Laughing and smiling is part of the healing process. We believe families of the 9/11 victims know and appreciate that.

New Mexico’s History
On your October 6 broadcast in which you tried to get people in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to sign a petition to become part of Mexico you stated that New Mexico became a state in 1846. I'm sure you meant to say that New Mexico became a territory of the U.S. in 1846, and later obtained statehood in 1912. Thanks for the great show and all the great laughs. I watched your father as a child and still love the show (and like many others, I'm sure) secretly hope to be "caught" on Candid Camera!
—Bobbie J. Montana

Stress-Free in South Africa
I am a great fan of your show! I must say that most of my friends over here in South Africa love watching the Candid Camera show. Personally, I use the show to calm down the academic stress that I receive from the engineering faculty on a daily basis. When I graduate in two years time, I hope to use your show to calm down my “work stress!” Please keep up the laughing spirit!
—Paul Nkamankeng
Johannesburg, South Africa

Top 10 List
Here are some ideas the hosts might use in between sequences of Candid Camera as conversation pieces.

WHAT DID THE CANDID CAMERA MAN SAY TO…