Criminal An American Original
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Jan 30, 2026 Jeanne Abel, longtime collaborator and wife of prankster Alan Abel, recalls decades of public stunts and satirical campaigns. Jenny Abel, their daughter, shares family memories and how pranks shaped their home life. They recount the infamous White House picket, fake organizations and personas, media hijinks, and elaborate hoaxes that blurred comedy and provocation.
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Origins Of CINNA
- Alan and Jeanne Abel invented CINNA, the Society for Indecency to Naked Animals, as a long-running prank about clothing animals.
- They staged interviews, pamphlets, and fake outfits to convince media the group existed.
Buck Henry Played The Founder
- Alan recruited Buck Henry to play faux founder G. Clifford Prout Jr. on TV to lend CINNA credibility.
- The duo used staged interviews and props like elephant pants to sell the hoax to national media.
Media Amplified The Prank
- The hoax worked because Alan fed credible details and avoided asking for money, reducing immediate suspicion.
- Media amplification turned a small prank into nationwide coverage despite limited participants.