Frank Hassle
Frank Hassle is an American internet personality, street-trolling comedian, and a notable figure in the Fishtank universe, known for his aggressive, confrontational, and often abusive comedic style. Unlike traditional contestants, Hassle was introduced in Season 1 as an external antagonist—a “hired torturer”—brought in specifically to torment the houseguests and escalate the psychological distress of the show. His involvement was a direct extension of his long-established brand of real-world harassment and public disruption.
Work During Fishtank
Frank Hassle’s primary role occurred during Season 1 of Fishtank. He was not a 24/7 houseguest but was brought into the house on specific occasions by the production team to execute challenges designed to break the contestants’ morale. His methods were not based on typical reality show games but on pure psychological torment.
Key moments from his time as a “torturer” include:
- Verbal and Psychological Abuse: Hassle’s main tactic was relentless verbal assault. He would single out contestants, launching into tirades of personal insults, berating their physical appearance, life choices, and intelligence. His goal was to provoke an emotional breakdown for the entertainment of the audience.
- Targeting Contestants: He was particularly harsh on contestants like Josie and Simmons. In one infamous instance, he forced the contestants to participate in a demeaning “makeover” challenge, where he mocked their looks while aggressively applying makeup to their faces.
- The “Hassle” Challenge: He led challenges that were designed to be confusing, demeaning, and impossible to win. The purpose was not the competition itself, but the contestants’ reactions to his aggressive and nonsensical instructions. He would often scream at them for failing tasks he had not properly explained.
- Confrontational Presence: Standing at 6’5″, his physically imposing presence amplified the threat of his verbal attacks, creating a genuinely tense and uncomfortable atmosphere in the house. The contestants were clearly intimidated, struggling to differentiate between performance and a real threat.
For Season 2, Hassle was not a recurring torturer within the house but was involved in pre-show activities. He participated in the “initiation” or “tryout” phase, where potential contestants were subjected to his signature style of harassment as a test of their resilience and suitability for the show.
Work After Fishtank
Frank Hassle’s involvement with Fishtank was a natural fit for his existing brand and did not significantly alter the trajectory of his career; rather, it amplified it. For years prior to the show, he had cultivated a following through his YouTube videos, which depict him engaging in aggressive street interviews and public confrontations, often targeting unsuspecting members of the public, store employees, and authority figures.
Since his appearance on Fishtank, Hassle has continued to produce this same style of content. His work remains centered on:
- Street Trolling: His primary focus continues to be his controversial man-on-the-street videos where he harasses and provokes people for comedic effect.
- Live Streaming: He is active on various streaming platforms, where he interacts with his audience and discusses his confrontational exploits.
- Collaboration within the MDE Universe: He remains a prominent figure within the orbit of Sam Hyde and Jet Neptune Productions. He collaborates on projects, appears on podcasts, and is considered a key personality in their brand of alternative, anti-establishment comedy.
His appearance on Fishtank cemented his reputation as a master of uncomfortable and abusive comedy. While praised by his fanbase for his commitment and perceived fearlessness, he remains a highly controversial figure, with critics condemning his methods as pure bullying and harassment rather than legitimate satire. For the Fishtank audience, he was the perfect real-world villain, a tangible manifestation of the show’s chaotic and often cruel ethos.
