Jury Duty: James Marsden SURPRISES Ronald With Ben Schwartz Message (Exclusive)

ET's cameras roll as James Marsden surprises his 'Jury Duty' co-star, Ronald Gladden, with a message from Ben Schwartz. Gladden unknowingly became the center of the docu-style comedy series, which also featured Marsden playing a heightened version of himself. While participating in the fake trial, Gladden mentioned he was a huge fan of Marsden's 'Sonic the Hedgehog' co-star. All episodes of 'Jury Duty' stream on Freevee.

[@glenncoco8715]

Him talking about being paranoid after the show was done :( I'm glad they're all still friendly and showing him it wasn't all fake

[@dmarsub]

After watching a couple of episodes even i felt a bit surreal lol, weird show.

[@HimanshuSingh-sf3lc]

I watched like 5 episodes of the show when i was sleepy asf and it only hit me when 5 episodes were over that he's just a random guy and his reactions are genuine. I just thought it was an office-esque show with one rational character and other goofy people.

[@pnut3844able]

He got $100k, I'm sure that cushioned the blow

[@smilechynwa]

@@pnut3844ablethe show is pretty popular. I really hope he gets paid more because they messed with his head big time. Great show but the guy might have trust issues for a long time. Nobody better spring this type of stuff on him again.

[@Quzga]

​@@smilechynwahe's def made over half a mil from all the press, interviews, social media etc

[@brie3679]

James is a good dude. Imagine how shit it’d feel to think you’re friends with someone, find out it was fake.. and then that person genuinely doesn’t even think of you as friends. I’m glad James handles this so realistically.

[@NooDLES411911]

Most of the cast he got tight with still remain friends with him, they did say they played a character but they weren't that good of an actor to not have most of themselves genuinely come through.

[@mclovinlife4018]

Perfectly said. I’m glad James came into it with the intent not to make a show just to humiliate Ronald

[@justanothermeltingchannel]

Anyone else notice that James Marsden seems to carry a little bit of…I want to say guilt, over Ron’s paranoia after filming ended? Look at James’ demeanor as Ron talks about “I thought I was still being filmed and I texted James about this” starting at 2:03 and you can see J’s whole countenance change to a melancholic almost sadness that someone he seems to genuinely care about feeling that way. I think it speaks volumes to a couple things: first, they all really did fall in love with this guy. And second, due to that, James has some conscious regret that he was part of making someone he cares about feel unsure of themselves. It speaks to the content of his heart, and makes me like James Marsden, because I was NOT a fan previously. But I am now because you can see he genuinely cares for Ronald.

[@Nadsow]

I noticed that as well! I would for sure feel the same way and i hope they all remain good friends.

[@Crybaby-Media]

If you watch the reveal. Todd looked almost disturbed . He looked upset and then when he hugged Ronald it almost looked like he was crying. You could tell he really hoped they hadn’t hurt Ronald in any way. All of these actors were great

[@drkmgic]

yeah as fun as this is you can tell this guy suffered from the show lol

[@justanothermeltingchannel]

@@drkmgic considering it's been over a year since they filmed everything, I'm sure it's easier for him to deal with it now as opposed to when they first ended the show and revealed everything.

[@blueskybelyr]

Well honestly as wholesome as the show is, there is the unavoidable fact that this very kind man was lied to by dozens of people claiming to be his friends. Like I genuinely think some pure trusting instinct in Ronald was destroyed the day they told him he was on a TV show. He seems like a lovely guy, so I'm sure he doesn't hold any resentment, but I doubt he'll approach things with the same good faith anymore.

[@maluhabastos]

I was super happy that they didn’t push that far you know? It was enough to be entertaining and funny but not to put him in stressful or degrading moments. It was so sensitive. And the friendships were real. So amazing. Great show

[@aussiejubes]

Probably one of the best shows ive seen in years, its so brilliant and heartwarming ❤️

[@rabbitohs5]

Ronald is a huge Ben Schwartz fan which makes me assume he has watched Parks and Rec. One of the jurors is Sewage Joe from Parks and Rec. Hmm 😮

[@annameier286]

Yes they talked about it in an interview, that they found out he watched the show so they really quickly made that character pull back from the center of attention, change his looks a little so that Ronald won't recognize him and it worked

[@rabbitohs5]

@@annameier286 oh super interesting!!

[@brandonbland688]

@@annameier286 do you have a link to that interview? I’ve been wondering about this too.

[@trentclowater4612]

@@brandonbland688 I saw that interview too. The interview where it was mentioned is on a KZbin channel called KFC Radio.

[@Basboy]

@@annameier286 that's so interesting because I thought that the character he played as a juror was so odd and creepy and should have had a more prominent role in getting reactions from Ronald. Cool to know that was probably the plan but they had to pivot in real time.

[@noellenn2122]

I still find it hard to believe that James Marsden is a 49yr old DAD of a 22yr old kid! 🤯

[@riroriroriro_]

because of the age or his looks?

[@noellenn2122]

@@riroriroriro_ he doesn’t look old enough to be both that age and have a child that age! Not to me, at least. 😝

[@jeremyespinosa2237]

@@noellenn2122 I am 45 and I get that reaction a lot when I tell people I have a 27 year old daughter and 24 year old son.

[@ImNotQualifiedToSayThisBut]

Jeez, I'm 24 and am friends with guys close to your age. It'd be weird if they also had kids my age or even older lol​@@jeremyespinosa2237

[@MauiBodyworker]

I hope Ronald gets an acting gig out of this if he wants it, I think he’d be good. Great show and the entire cast is just brilliant.

[@Leaferr]

I get it but I dont nescesarrily think he could be an actor. What made it so good was that there was no acting, and it genuinely was just a super nice dude going about his life not knowing it was fake. I hope he gets royalties from this for life though, guy deserves itz

[@jaegerwhatifs4679]

@@Leaferr Exactly. He can became like a reality star, or a director for shows like Jury Duty. I feel like he would love doing something similar to Jury Duty.

[@paulnolan4971]

Just binged it. What a great lad. Fantastic cast. So good.

[@JaneticsInk]

Best show I’ve seen in so long.

[@sarahenright921]

Definitely one of the best shows of, literally, all time.

[@beazjohnson9865]

My two favourite characters! The sad thing is we probably we won't see a second season unless its a completely different scenario.

[@Bananabread810]

What if, they invited him back, pretended it was the same prank but on a different person, and that he would be an actor on the jury, but its actually on him again

[@Prettysusssss]

Ronald is a straight up king

[@johnlombardo7816]

and that is why I have always liked James Marsden! well done by all involved, great show, Ronald, you are a true hero in every sense of the word. I hope people can take a page from your book of being kind, it is truly something I will be striving toward every day. 💯💯❤❤🙏🙏👏👏

[@mmingo33]

This show is one of those shows. Like I don’t know what to expect but you end up loving it

[@Caallina99]

Aw so so well deserved ! We love you Ronald !!! ❤️ and welcome to showbiz🎬

[@Gabriellaella23]

I would have melted if I was on the same jury as James Marsden. lol

[@gloomgirl]

Same lollll

[@MauiBodyworker]

Right, fake or real no matter 😂

[@lizkim5165]

One of the best comedy shows and productions I’ve ever seen

[@daninusa5297]

I wondered how marsden acted afterwards. They built a real bond so did he just say no bro that was acting! The cast were unknowns and he is the only celeb so how james handled it mattered. Glad he is a normal human and considerate of this issue.

[@brie3679]

Ronald’s is the sweetest guy.

[@mclovinlife4018]

Shows amazing, cast was even better, and Ronald was the absolute best.

[@3lttlbrds]

Ronald is a breath of fresh air 🥰

[@granitesoldier7704]

A lot of credit has to go to the Lawyers and Judge, having to run a totally normal and lengthy jury trial knowing that most of it wouldn't make the cut.

[@mclovin4363]

ronald's just too lucky man

[@okok-kr3gu]

such a FANTASTIC show

[@alexceja4473]

We need to get ronald in Sonic 3

[@aarondadvlogs]

I mean he was sooooo good in Lone Pine!!!

[@CRIMINAL827]

@@aarondadvlogs What do you mean?

[@jinjekang4300]

@@aarondadvlogs 😂

[@jinjekang4300]

@@CRIMINAL827 it’s a reference to something in the Jury Duty show 😂

[@CRIMINAL827]

@@jinjekang4300 I need to watch that show asap. Is it on prime video?

[@charliblake8551]

I’m OBSESSED with Jury Duty!!!!! It was a mini “Truman Show”….just less unethical. I’m only sad that’s not a thing they could really repeat so it’ll likely be a one-off. I love so much that the actors are still in contact w him and they hang out irl now. Such a brilliant concept. Also obvi Kudos to James for being willing to talk him down when the potential negative effects to his mental health cropped up.

[@erinbickler2237]

I love this show! So brilliant and heartwarming. Ronald Gladden is just such a lovely human being!

[@elizabeth3280]

would not be able to genuinely get away with this show twice but but the scenerios with same concept are endless

[@Psychadellichick]

"In his casita" hahahaaa

[@amberriley7633]

Funniest show I’ve seen in a long time 😅

[@sagejennings4342]

His life is crazy. You run into James Marsden and he's actually kind of a douche but then it turns out he was just acting and now you're kinda just...tight with James Marsden

[@globallycali2203]

can't heart this enough. protect that man--he's a national tresure

[@amy-wc8tk]

i loveee james marsden

[@crystalellul845]

He's not only the voice of sonic but also dewey duck from duck tails

[@RabbitWhispererYT]

I’m so excited that we’re all invited to stay at James’s place and then see some improv!

[@machetedonttweet1343]

I just finished the series. The last "Reality show I can remember watching was like season 6 of "Survivor". This was fun. I can't say that Mr. Gladden got "Trolled" or "Punked" or "Played". But he comes off as a decent human being. And he looks enough like Ben Afflick, to get some parts in the future. I hope they have some series in the can, because I'll watch them.

[@xinminang291]

James gonna be ronald’s 24 7 psychologist

[@liamkilkenny2311]

100/100 must watch

[@KiriB]

yess so glad he can get to meet Ben S!

[@user-im8pw8li5r]

james marsden should be in the free madhouse a free madman

[@adamkalb1]

1:46-1:57 😀I see so much of Ike Barinholtz in his father, Alan! I can tell they are related because they have the same adorably comedic face and comedic talent. You should see them together in History of the World Part II: Episode IV. May 11, 2023, 4:07pm

[@sorrythisaccountisclosed]

James and Ben dod amazing in Sonic and Sonic 2

[@brie3679]

2:31 Damn. I think James feels a bit bad here. Or at the very least he’s contemplating how genuinely bad this could go for someone with a weak mental state. Ronald is a smart dude but what just happened just make you wonder. There’s a lot of possible implications. Ronald thinking a dangerous situation isn’t real because he’s been conditioned to assume he’s on camera, etc. they gotta be careful with that moving forward if this style of shoe happened again.

[@Gdub33]

That's so funny because there were a couple times throughout the show jury duty where I was like "wow he sounds exactly like the guy from parks and recreation!". He definitely shares some traits.

[@mattmccomas1]

What?

[@Gdub33]

@@mattmccomas1 Ben Schwartz was in parks and recreation. Ronald imitates him at times throughout the show. Let me know if you don't understand and need further explanation

[@mattmccomas1]

@@Gdub33 I know who Ben Schwartz is cool guy.

[@Gdub33]

@@mattmccomas1 word buddy! I mean he can be annoying sometimes but overall he's super funny.

[@TheAndersDanilet]

Another Jury member, the guy who played Pat, was also on Parks and Rec. He was one of the creepy sanitation guys.

[@rachels.8051]

I’ve enjoyed the clips of the show that I’ve watched, but I also have a hard time understanding how this was all legal - like I work in research and have to get informed consent from research participants in order for them to contribute to scientific research, right? How is it okay to lie to someone that they’ll be in a documentary and then profit from the footage of this practical joke? It didn’t seem particularly malicious, but also definitely not ethical in a way I can understand…

[@rachels.8051]

Also sort of ironic, considering James Marsden starred in a show where “questioning the nature of your own reality” was a central theme

[@moregardening5014]

He signed up to be in a documentary filming jury duty. I think they get away with the morality because he was out of work, this has been great for him financially and they don’t really make him the butt of the joke. It doesn’t feel malicious. Sure you’re seeing his reactions but they tow the line of making it funny without putting him down.

[@hatjodelka]

I know things are bit different in the UK but I appeared in a documentary (quite possibly as long ago as before Ronald Gladden was born) and signed loads of stuff beforehand and a release form at the end. There are always legal departments attached to any media thing.

[@matildachia]

in documentary filming all profiles sign performance release forms to agree to use their face/content in the show, and they won't know what the final content of the documentary will be. But they can definitely sue the production company if they are unhappy with how they were portrayed. So in this case, Ronald can actually sue them if he wanted to, but otherwise the company is in their legal rights to use his 'performance'

[@jeremyespinosa2237]

I will explain it in so it is easier to understand. The show succeeded in its goal of showcasing "A Hero's Journey with a real person instead of an actor." Ronald credits the show with changing his life for the better and Amazon inked him to a two-year overall deal to produce, develop and star in a variety of content. He was able to quit his construction job because of that. The show received 4 Emmy nominations. He is buddies with James Marsden now and his newfound fame allowed him to meet his bucket list social media star, Maxine the Fluffy Corgi. He also hosted a premiere watch party with friends. Not that they needed it, but I think it would be pretty easy for Amazon to get him to sign an updated and more accurately depicted release form after filming.

[@kathleenweinberg6442]

Good morning 🌄🌞🌄 everyone

[@davidparnell6008]

Nice

[@lovely98.]

❤❤❤

[@knjjah2776]

i live on the east coast and this video made me realize that i know too much about the west coast improv\comedy scene. Colton Dunn? Drew Tarver? JESS MCKENNA?! i want some fucking tickets too!

[@Frank.E.Valley]

The show was lucky that even though he knew who Ben Schwartz was, it might not have been from the improv-specific area. Because Lisa Gilroy showing up as a witness would've ruined the gag for some people.

[@globallycali2203]

true--recognized her from college humor; apparently one of the jury members was on parks on rec so they had to pull back his exposure because james was into the show

[@amppyo]

i feel so bad for ronald he didn't sign up for it and it obviously affected him. the last episode especially felt really weird because they were all cheering for pulling off this experiment but the experiment was trapping someone for 3 weeks and lying to them. at least he seems better now but wow what a weird show

[@Tufflaw]

He seems to be taking it OK, and I'm sure the $100,000 doesn't hurt

[@krista-orman]

3 weeks of lies would be very tricky to get over...

[@gregkrazanski]

​@@Tufflaw i don't think money can solve potential psychological trauma. i loved the show but the whole time i was like... how is his brain going to function when he finds out all the relationships he built weren't genuine

[@yaizanavarro1654]

It was tricky but he’s fine and happy it happy it happened he said

[@vaneangelesg]

At his casita lol

[@jameswells2826]

My Name Is James As Well Too

[@tjprice587]

SPOILER ALERT, don't watch this clip if you haven't seen the show. I did like this clip, but don't think it should show the moment of "reveal". Maybe *right* leading up to it... There are still folks who haven't seen it. P.S. I want to know where this Ron comes from? Who did he grow up with? How did he get so nice / what are his influences?? More on that soon, dear interviewers...

[@LFNZE]

i would hope james compensated Ronald with more money than what the show gave him lol He is a millionaire..

[@lesleyd2448]

JM❤

[@socialtomcat]

JESS MCKENNA!!!!! IM SO JEALOUS

[@NessaDotiktoknessahoangdooffic]

❤🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@TheTantan1111]

Don’t some parents pay other ppl to be their lonely child’s friend in high school? Yeah parents buy friends for their kids

[@thestormlscoming]

I feel so bad they tricked him. The show is so funny but I do think it’s fucked up.

[@RJCXDOfficial]

At least he got great memories with new friends like James said

[@rainsfallsofficial419]

It’s not quite as bad as you think because the actual emotions weren’t fake, even the actors said that their character was actually a part of them and for the most part they played an extreme version of part of them selfs

[@vomitthunder]

I'm surprised how rare I able to find such as your comment...how is no one talks about how fuckdup this whole thing is? still I'm enjoying the show but doesn't mean is okay imo

[@krista-orman]

I totally agree. This is going to take a while for Ronald to get over and work through... I'd like to know which actors felt conflicted about the whole thing?

[@user-ko7jj1gc7k]

So I watch this show halfway from the first episode and I never knew that he wasn't just an actor so I was fooled at the end and it made it all better they shouldn't have put at the beginning that he was not a part of it and let us find out at the end out at the end

[@user-rv9um5xc3r]

You do know they recall that information in every episode, right?

[@daninusa5297]

Whonthe hell is ben schwarz

[@davidpieper95]

This show was really messed up.

[@hartdr8074]

I wish this show wins an Emmy