Captain Janks

Captain Janks, born Thomas Michael Cipriano, is a personality recognized for his prank calls to live television broadcasts and news networks, serving as an unofficial media critic regarding journalistic verification practices. After gaining significant recognition as an unofficial media critic for his distinctive prank calls to local Philadelphia television shows in the late 1980s, Captain Janks established himself as a recurring personality on The Howard Stern Show. Posing as a credible source to news networks, he subtly integrated references to Howard Stern to underscore perceived vulnerabilities in live broadcast journalism and source verification. His impactful method of media commentary began with a notable prank call to Larry King Live in 1989, marking the start of his targeting prominent national platforms.

Maintaining his role as a provocative media commentator, Captain Janks executed high-profile pranks in 2014. These included a notable call to MSNBC during their Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 shootdown coverage, again exposing the urgent and sometimes vulnerable nature of breaking news reporting. Later that year, he also targeted CNN during their extensive coverage of the South Napa earthquake, reinforcing his long-standing critique of media practices by demonstrating how unverified information could be introduced into live broadcasts. Through consistent, high-profile interventions across decades, Captain Janks carved out a unique niche, challenging journalistic standards and influencing public perception of media integrity.