The five Frisco friends who make up stunt company Dude Perfect are still dealing with their celebrity. Their pinch-me moments are some of the main reasons you should watch their new CMT show, The Dude Perfect Show, airing Thursday at 8 p.m.
See, the guys in Dude Perfect are celebrities, they just don't seem to know it. They've notched 1 billion views on YouTube performing stunts with Johnny Manziel, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Their most popular video has been viewed more than 50 million times and involves stunts with a Nerf gun that a middle-schooler might have dreamt up. But only a group of seriously focused -- and, sure, lucky -- athletes could execute them.
"Believe it or not, this is what we do for a living," says Tyler Toney, the unofficial ringleader of the group, as he explains their odd tricks such as lobbing a basketball out of a low-flying plane and into a hoop on the ground.
"What began as five best friends making videos for fun has now turned into our dream job," Toney says.
In the Dude Perfect premiere, we don't get to see an exciting trick shot until about 15 minutes in -- and that's what you came for. But patience: Viewers first get to know these five regular guys, proud Texas A&M grads who moved to Frisco and turned their lives into one big obstacle course. Over several years, they've used giant sling shots and trampolines and exploding pyramids of basketballs to wow their online audiences. So now it's time to see if that translates to 30-minute episodes on television.
One guy has a tough time keeping his cool when he learns that country mega-star Luke Bryan will partner with the Dude Perfect crew in Episode 1. Intern Chad learns quickly that, no, you can't pet Bryan, he's told by his friends in an act-like-you've-been-there way.
Episode 1's big action involves firing marshmallow-tipped arrows into balloons while the archers, Bryan included, are strapped to the back of moving golf carts. Can't picture it? That's why their stunts have been so fun to watch on YouTube. It's a seeing-is-believing thing.
The fun with Bryan is entertaining, but it's nothing like the time Manziel tossed a football from the top of Texas A&M's Kyle Field and into a basket. It's going to be tough for Dude Perfect to top some of their most exciting moments. But they've got 13 episodes to convince you.
In upcoming shows, the Dude Perfect dudes will attempt an eating challenge at local place Kenny's Burger Joint and drive a pace car at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. They'll also make an appearance at a local Bass Pro Shop for what Dude Perfect team member Cody Jones calls "the greatest bachelor party ever."
And there will be fire -- "in a very safe and controlled manner, of course," Jones says.
Don't try any of this at home. Better just watch.
The Dude Perfect Show premieres Thursday, April 14 at 8 p.m. on CMT.
When Dude Perfect opened its Frisco headquarters, we got a sneak peek inside.
Just know: This place is way more awesome than the game room at your house.
