Impractical Jokers

Development

Joseph "Joe" Gatto, James "Murr" Murray, Brian "Q" Quinn and Salvatore "Sal" Vulcano, four high school friends from Staten Island, formed the live improv and sketch comedy troupe, The Tenderloins in 1999. After a long and successful history, including winning the $100,000 grand prize in NBC's "It’s Your Show" competition, the group went into television. In 2008, they filmed a pilot episode for a scripted sitcom for Spike TV, but the show did not go to series. TruTV announced the series Impractical Jokers, originally slated to be named Mission: Uncomfortable, on April 12, 2011, eight months before the show's debut. Murray explained how the hidden camera format made sense based on the jokesters skills. "We needed to find the right format... thing is, we've been doing this for years, but when it's on camera, the embarrassment is amplified." Q and Sal have said when they gave their pilot episode to TruTV, it was recorded on their iPhones. At the time they pitched the idea to TruTV, Murray was VP of Development for NorthSouth Productions, the company that has produced the series since its inception.

Episodes

Before every challenge, the Jokers explain where they are, what the challenge is, and what will happen if they fail. Often (but not always) there is an ear piece placed on the cast member(s) performing the prank while the others have a mic in a covert location. There are also hidden cameras near the area to capture the action. The location in which the challenge takes place is usually a public area in or around New York City such as a city park, or store. The criteria of each challenge are the same for each of the jokers competing in the round. If the joker cannot complete their task, they get a Thumbs-Down. At the end of the episode, the joker or jokers with the most thumbs down is punished, and the punishments are usually more embarrassing, humiliating, disgusting, painful or scary than any of the challenges. Punishments cannot be refused, or the joker is off the show.

Statistics

Cast

Brian Michael "Q" Quinn: (Born March 14, 1976) is an Irish-American improvisational comedian from the New York City borough of Staten Island. He attended Monsignor Farrell High School where he was involved in numerous activities including drama and sports. Following his graduation, he attended Brooklyn College and later went on to join the New York City Fire Department. He is also the third host of the podcast Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! on SModcast.com.

James Stephen "Murr" Murray: (Born May 1, 1976) is an Irish-American improvisational comedian from the New York City borough of Staten Island. He attended Monsignor Farrell High School there and was also a part of a community theatre. He continued his education at Georgetown University where he received a BA in English. He currently continues to work at NorthSouth Productions where he is the Senior Vice President of Development.

Salvatore Edward Anthony "Sal" Vulcano: (Born November 6, 1976) is an Italian/Cuban/Puerto Rican American improvisational and stand-up comedian from the New York City borough of Staten Island. He attended Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island where he took part in various sports such as hockey, basketball and football. Upon graduation, he went to St. John's University where he earned a degree in finance. He is an ordained minister and officiated Joe's wedding. His nickname is "Ja-Crispy".

Joseph Anthony "Joe" Gatto Jr.: (Born June 5, 1976) is an Italian American improvisational comedian from the New York City borough of Staten Island. While in Staten Island, he went to Monsignor Farrell High School. After graduation, he studied at LIU Post where he received a degree in Accounting. He founded the Tenderloins comedy troupe in 2000 and worked at the baby retail store, Giggle, until January 2011.

Guest appearances

Reception

Impractical Jokers has been very well received by some critics, with Linda Stasi of the New York Post calling it "possibly the 'Funniest, most ridiculous show I’ve seen in years."

While it has been compared to earlier hit prank shows such as Candid Camera and Jackass, critics have offered praise for its unique twist on the genre, wherein the stars' reactions to the pranks are often equally as humorous as those of the innocent bystanders. Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times stated that "the gag pays off twice: once in the reaction of the unsuspecting passer-by, once in the discomfort of the fellow doing the asking." He later wrote that the cast-members' occasional integrity [kept] these four clowns a little bit lovable." Dean Robbins of The Daily Page echoed this sentiment, stating that "the friends are jovial rather than Jackass-obnoxious, even rejecting some dares as too offensive."

The series has been generally well received, garnering 1.5 million viewers during its December 15, 2011 premiere.

The review of the show by Variety's Brian Lowry was less positive, ending with this statement: "Nobody will ever confuse Impractical Jokers with high art, certainly, but as low-brow, micro-cost comedy in the context of TruTV's programming resources, it's actually quite practical—and occasionally funny."

Impractical Jokers: Inside Jokes

Impractical Jokers: Inside Jokes is spin-off of Impractical Jokers, in which classic, fan-favorite episodes of the show are broadcast with shareable pop-up facts throughout. With behind-the-scenes stories and surprising factoids directly from the Jokers, this alternate version of existing content gives viewers a look behind the curtain. The first episode of Impractical Jokers: Inside Jokes aired on July 14, 2016 following the episode "British Invasion".

International versions

International broadcasts