Mobbed

Mobbed is a captivating reality television show that first aired on FOX in 2011. As a creation of Darryl Trell, Howard Kitrosser, and Art Spigel, this is a one-of-a-kind program that often takes its audience on an emotional roller coaster. The show presents elaborate surprise events engineered to celebrate, declare love, make apologies, or reveal secrets to unsuspecting people, who are subjected to the public spectacle of their private lives.

The show is hosted by Howie Mandel, known for his previous work on reality TV hits like "Deal or No Deal" but on "Mobbed", he also served as the executive producer. With his comedic chops and inherent likability, Mandel brings a dose of levity to the otherwise intense proceedings. He introduces us to the concept of the show, presents the profile of the person getting “mobbed”, and often provides the unsuspecting person's reaction at the end of the performance. Mandel, in conjunction with this strong team of producers and choreographers, makes sure to bring each story to life in the most compelling way possible, leaving audiences at home and those present at the event deeply moved.

Essentially, the show borrows the concept of flash mobs and takes it to another level. But these aren’t your average flash mobs performed by a hoard of strangers unexpectedly putting on a dance act in public. Instead, Mobbed incorporates elaborate choreographed dances, sung narratives, and at times, even orchestrates intricate plotlines to convey the message of the mobbed to their unsuspecting person. This takes place in various public locations from malls to public squares and the commercial areas of cities, but the places chosen often bear a significance in the person's life, linking it to the personal story that's being shared.

Each episode of Mobbed centers around one particular individual who wants to deliver a significant message to someone else. This "messenger" could be involved in anything, from wedding proposals and divorce announcements to long-lost family reunions and surprise job firings. The messenger, the recipient, and the audience at home tune into a journey of connection, surprise, and deep emotions, bridging the gap of communication via the unconventional method of a mob.

To ensure the success of these high stakes surprise events, the team behind Mobbed diligently plans every tiny detail. This involves a healthy mix of veteran choreographers, set designers, and unsuspecting person's family and friends, using their collective creativity. The crew begins by taking the messenger through extensive rehearsals and meticulous planning. They prepare them for performing a choreographed routine when the D-Day arrives. Add to the mix professional dancers, musicians, actors, acrobats, extras, and even stuntmen at times, and you can begin to understand what makes this emotional rollercoaster of a show so entertaining and unparalleled.

A significant aspect of the show remains its unpredictability – as a viewer, you never know quite how each surprise is going to unfold. Will the recipient be moved to tears, erupt with joy, storm off, or be shell-shocked into silence? The unedited, unscripted reactions of the people being "mobbed" are a huge part of the show's appeal, with audiences given a front-row seat to these raw, emotional affairs.

In essence, the show Mobbed beautifully marries the flash mob concept with high-stakes human drama. It takes viewers on an unexpectedly emotional ride that provides a fresh take on reality television. Mixed with Howie Mandel's charismatic hosting and the remarkable production value of the elaborately planned “mobs”, it is a unique viewing experience for audiences. Whether you're a fan of dance, music, surprise reveals, or just authentic human emotion, Mobbed has it all. After all, it isn't every day you see someone's life change in the span of a uniquely choreographed and highly-publicized event!