Pull the connector for the the brake light switch. It will not shift out of park that way.
Ones that catch some people out are blown fuses.
The potato thing is BS, proven on Mythbusters. It will blow it out, easily.
Find the crank or cam sensor and unplug it.
stick a potato into the tail pipe, it will not start and run
I want to fake a few car problems for a prank (on my own car don't worry) my dad thinks he knows everything about cars so it should be interesting. Please give ideas