Send this page to someone via email

ABOVE: See the bizzare and mean-spirited prank which landed a Cambodian TV show in hot water

A TV show in Cambodia is in hot water over a bizarre and mean-spirited prank it pulled on its Mother’s Day special, promising to reunite 13-year-old Autumn Allen with her mother, whom she hadn’t seen since she was six-years-old.

Before the big reveal, a tearful Allen told the audience that it would be a “dream come true” to see her mother again.

Then, the producers of Penh Chet Ort (“Like it or Not”) revealed her “Mom” to be comedian Chuop Rolin, known for cross-dressing in his acts, in full drag complete with a wig and fake breasts.

In a reaction equal parts polite and gobsmacked, Allen stands in stunned silence as Rolin plants a kiss on her cheek, before moving on to accost the show’s hosts.

Story continues below advertisement

The show has received a firestorm of criticism since the episode aired, with many wondering how producers could have possibly green-lit the mean-spirited segment.

MyTV, which airs Penh Chet Ort, issued a public apology and wrote a personal letter of apology to Autumn.

For her part, the young girl – an aspiring singer-songwriter whose mother is American and her father Cambodian – took the pranking in stride, smiling and laughing through the rest of the segment.

She even took to her Facebook page to say she had forgiven the network for the prank.

“I have met with MyTV and accepted their sincere apologies,” Allen wrote. “The two hosts, Rolin and Taboi (the producer) have apologized to me personally. Even the Deputy General Manager of the MyTV was there. A mistake happen and I have forgiven them. Thank you for every one supports. Please find it in your heart to forgive them too.” Tweet This