‘Punk’d’ series finale 10th anniversary: Ranking the best pranks

When Elijah Wood throws a soda can containing a lit cigarette into a dumpster, it explodes into a blaze that rivals the pit at Mount Doom. The prank is well-executed, but it’s last on our list because it’s a bit heartbreaking to watch the 'Lord of the Rings' star nearly break into tears at the thought of the damage he’s caused and the fear of being arrested. Kutcher half-joked that he intended this as an anti-smoking PSA, and it’s certainly effective.

Before 'Parenthood' and becoming Mr. Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard convinced Nick Lachey he was Jessica Simpson’s distant cousin who had parked his RV on their front lawn. Outwardly, Lachey tries to keep his cool, trying to find a solution that doesn’t involve these relatives camping out or writing them a $5,000 check. But inside the house, we can hear him complaining to Simpson that he can’t take the “white trash Texas macho BS.” The prank didn’t generate enough drama to merit a higher spot, but it is a nice time capsule of the time when the Newlyweds were still one of America’s favorite couples.

“It’s no joke, dog.” Oh, but Drake, it is! The actor-rapper thought he experienced his first earthquake while waiting in a parking garage to meet the Vice President in the prank that creator Ashton Kutcher says is his personal favorite. Drake freaks out as his car rocks back and forth, and he worries he’s preventing a pregnant woman from getting to safety. No word on why he didn’t remember to use that hotline bling to call for help.

Kutcher and his crew teamed with Pink’s then-boyfriend, Carey Hart, to convince the singer that her future husband was running a motorcycle racketeering operation. To make matters worse, they try to pin the crime on Pink, registering the “stolen” bikes in her name. When she finds out the truth, it seems like Hart might be cruising to inspire Pink’s “U + Ur Hand,” but the pair have been married since 2006.

The '7th Heaven' star found herself on the end of inappropriate banter with a 10-year-old boy at a restaurant. Biel makes small-talk with him as he comments on her infamous racy photo shoot in Gear magazine, calls her sexy, and asks her when she’ll do a shoot for Playboy. Biel tries to play it off by telling him she’s too old for him, but she grows progressively more uncomfortable and freaks out when the “father” threatens to press charges. When the truth comes out, she punches Kutcher and hangs her head in disbelief.

Kutcher knew his 'That 70s Show' co-star was obsessed with his car, so he went all in on this prank, making a duplicate of Valderrama’s SUV to destroy. He played the long game, telling Valderrama weeks before about a jealous boyfriend that was causing him trouble. While that “jealous boyfriend” destroyed Valderramma’s car with a baseball bat, he looked on in horror and sheepishly admits, “That’s my car.” He takes the reveal well though, bursting out laughing and clearly relieved.

Back when Lohan was still America’s favorite redhead, Kutcher set out to punk her. Lohan is initially put out by being delayed, but clearly feels guilty as she realizes her driver is going to miss the birth of his child when their car is “stolen.” Kutcher gives one of his personal best performances on the show as the voice of a pregnant woman giving birth over the phone. Lohan tries her hardest to appease the driver who verbally abuses her and her profession, and then she takes the reveal with a smile. It’s so fetch.

Beyonce thinks she’s attending a Christmas charity event at Universal where she’s asked to play Santa to under-privileged children. The kids scream “you ruined Christmas” at her when she appears to knock over the giant Christmas tree, crushing their presents and a volunteer. Queen B is horrified and tells the kids she’ll get them new presents until Kutcher reveals it was all a prank. Keeping the spirit of the holiday alive, she takes it in stride and wishes the cameras a “Merry Christmas.” #Flawless

Duff may have been Lizzie McGuire, but she still had to take driver’s ed just like every other 15 year old. This prank is made particularly enjoyable by a pre-'The Office' B.J. Novak joining in on the fun as Duff’s intense, off-kilter driving instructor who attacks other drivers with a baseball bat. Lessons in “Los Angeles driving” include: giving other drivers the finger and that it’s acceptable to hit pedestrians who don’t use a crosswalk. Duff practically breaks into tears when she realizes it’s all a joke, but she still asks, “Did I pass?” This prank is what Punk’d dreams are made of.

The show’s very first prank still remains its gold standard. Justin Timberlake nearly cries a river when he believes his home and valuables are going bye-bye-bye due to unpaid income taxes. The iconic prank made such an impact that Time named it No. 3 on their list of 32 Epic Moments in Reality-TV History. Timberlake himself declared it “by far, the best prank I’ve ever seen,” while admitting that it showed America “how stupid musicians are.” It’s okay Justin, you can always get Ashton back someday – after all, what goes around comes around.