MTV's 'Punk'd' punks out

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NEW YORK, March 27 (UPI) -- No joke -- this season will be the last for "Punk'd," New York-based MTV's celebrity prank show.

The cable network said the upcoming season would be the last for "Punk'd from co-creators and executive producers Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg, Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.

MTV said it plans to debut the entire final season in a "Sneak Peek Marathon" April 7. The series premieres April 10.

"We decided to make an event out of it," said Brian Graden, president of entertainment at MTV Networks Music Group.

Graden said it was unlikely that most viewers would watch the entire eight-episode block, adding that he hoped it would generate buzz for the show in its regular time slot.

As for this being the last season, Kutcher announced before that he was ending "Punk'd" -- only for the show to return the next year. However, Graden said Monday the show is officially ending this time.

As a tribute to the final season, Kutcher will host a special "Punk'd Awards" honoring all eight seasons June 5.

Unsuspecting celebrities "Punk'd" this season include Hilary Swank, Magic Johnson, Evangeline Lilly, Nelly Furtado and Hayden Panettiere.