‘Impractical Jokers’ to Return With New Episode With Special Guest Following Joe Gatto’s Exit
More Impractical Jokers is on the way! Your favorite truTV series will return in April with a brand new episode — the first since Joe Gatto announced he was stepping away from the show. James Murray, Brian Quinn, and Sal Vulcano will all be returning along with one special celebrity guest.
‘Impractical Jokers’ will return in April
Deadline reports that the episode will air on Saturday, April 2, on truTV and TBS and TNT. The three jokers will be joined by fellow comedian Eric André, best known for his eponymous Adult Swim comedy show and the hidden comedy film Bad Trip. The show is filming at the time of this writing and will be guest-hosted by different celebrities throughout the season.
Murr spoke more about the episode in a video shared on his Instagram page, clarifying that Andre would appear in a punishment. “The punishment is crazy,” he shared. “We filmed it about two weeks ago, you’re gonna love it. And then brand new episodes of ‘Impractical Jokers’ begin in June. You’re gonna love it. It’s great.”
Expect things to get ‘weirder’
Q opened up about format changes resulting from Gatto’s exit on the Tell ’em Steve-Dave! podcast, which he hosts alongside Walt Flanagan and Bryan Johnson of Comic Book Men. While he did not discuss specifics, he noted that there would be a lot more experimentation and involvement on his part.
“The show, it’s gonna be a bit weirder, the show going forward,” he said. “I’m able to get a little bit more of my s*** [in] … I am getting in some like fun weird s*** now. It’s kind of revitalized the show. I think this is actually going to give the show legs that were getting tired if that makes sense.”
“Now I’m just like, ‘F*** it, let’s start breaking format here and there,” Q added. “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think people were going to like it. But I think people are going to be really surprised at what we end up doing. It’s going to be great. I’m more invested and more involved and having more fun than I’ve had in a long time.”
Still, he admitted there were “many negatives to Joe not being there.” But that has just motivated him and his co-stars to get more creative.
Why Joe Gatto left ‘Impractical Jokers’
The news regarding the latest season comes weeks after Gatto announced his departure from the hit prank series. The comedian had been part of all nine seasons before announcing his exit in December of 2021 in a “more-serious-than-usual” Instagram post.
“I just wanted to let you all know that I will no longer be involved with Impractical Jokers,” Gatto wrote. “Alongside my friends, I’ve devoted a decade of my life to building this franchise and couldn’t be prouder of what has been accomplished. However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away.”
Having separated from his wife Bessy Gatto, the comedian said he would be taking time away “to focus on being the best father and co-parent to our two incredible kids.” But he looked forward to being able to “create new ways to entertain you” in the future.
