Scare Tactics had three hosts during its tenure, Shannen Doherty, Stephen Baldwin, and Tracy Morgan, all of whom mostly introduced the pranks, though they would occasionally appear as part of one. Instead, the show's focus was on everyday people.

Scare Tactics is a hidden camera prank show that puts victims into terrifying situations, usually involving movie-style special effects and makeup that recreates horror movie clichés. The victims, generally four per episode, are set up by friends/family in tandem with producers.

Actors are suppose to scare innocent victims while being filmed by hidden cameras. But the whole show is obviously fake. All the so- called "victims" are lame actors without any feeling at all.