Hans & Franz Meets Tim & Eric: 3 Local News Shows Trolled By 'Chop & Steele' Strongman Duo

The local news has finally done it. It’s run out of things to jabber about.

No more lost cats triumphantly wandered home. The field of star students has been exhausted, and every variation of grandma’s chili has seen sufficient spotlight.

Now, the networks are pulling deep from the idea cache — and they’ve gone one “human interest” story too far.

'Chop And Steele'

Not one, not two, but three local networks were trolled Tuesday by a “strongman” pair whose performance could easily double as a “Tim and Eric” sketch.

Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher of the Found Footage Foundation, who took to the air in character as Chop and Steele, booked segments on three separate morning shows to demonstrate their dearth of brawn and wealth of good humor. With both in muscle shirts, one in zebra pants and the other in neon green socks and the tightest of biking shorts, the two showcased their strength and athleticism by stomping Easter baskets, karate chopping twigs and lifting jugs of juice.

The appearance was an alleged promotional stunt for the Found Footage Foundation’s upcoming live tour, “Give Thanks For Strengths,” which will, in the spirit of the foundation, feature absurd, discovered videos.

According to the Found Footage Fest YouTube clip, which describes the segments as “a trio of the most profoundly stupid TV appearances ever to hit local news,” the stations had been unaware of the publicity pranks.

Good Spirits

But the companies — or, at least, some of its employees — now get a kick out of the trolling. North Dakota's Good Day Dakota KX team was unavailable for comment, but each time the inquiry call was passed down the office line, the speaker on the other end snickered at the clip's mentioning.

Pennsylvania’s WFMZ 69 and Wisconsin’s WEAU 13 did not respond to Benzinga’s requests for comment. As yet, their level of complicity in the spoofs is unknown, but the countenances of the anchors suggested their belief in the duo’s authenticity. Amid even the goofiest of stunts, they maintained a professional level of stoicism or, at least, disguised their silent giggles with polite smiles.

image: Vimeo snip of 'Hello Wisconsin' appearance