Impractical Jokers

Impractical Jokers
Opening titlecard (January 2014 - Present) (L-R): Q, Murr, Sal, Joe
Genre	Hidden Camera
Directed by	Peter Fowkes (62 episodes) P. J. Morrison (17 episodes)
Starring	Brian Quinn James Murray Salvatore Vulcano Joseph Gatto
Narrated by	Drew Patterson Bill St. James Erik Falcon
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	127 + 16 specials (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Charlie DeBevoise Mark Hickman Brian Quinn James Murray Joe Gatto Sal Vulcano Pete McPartland Tommy Cody Simmy Kustanowitz (for truTV)[1]
Location(s)	the Tri-State Area occasionally: Miami, Texas, Las Vegas, New Orleans, London and Cruise Ships
Camera setup	Hidden camera
Running time	20 minutes
Production company(s)	NorthSouth Productions
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television[2]
Release
Original network	TruTV
Picture format	1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original release	December 15, 2011 (2011-12-15) – Present
Chronology
Related shows	Impractical Jokers: Inside Jokes
External links
Website

"The Tenderloins" A.K.A "The Impractical Jokers" c. 2011

Impractical Jokers is an American hidden camera-practical joke reality series that premiered on TruTV on December 15, 2011 and is produced by NorthSouth Productions. It follows Joseph "Joe" Gatto, James "Murr" Murray, Brian "Q" Quinn and Salvatore "Sal" Vulcano, the four members of the comedy troupe The Tenderloins as they coerce one another into doing public pranks while being filmed by hidden cameras. The show differs from other prank television programs in that the stars of Impractical Jokers do not know the details of the prank until the moment they are performing it on strangers. They perform the pranks as challenges to the unsuspecting public and if they fail them, they go on a loser board. At the end of the episode, the joker(s) with the most failures goes through a punishment, which are created by the winning joker(s) and are usually far worse than the challenges themselves.

The show has been renewed for a sixth season, which was announced on July 22, 2016.^[1] This season will start airing in February 2017.

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."^[3] 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. 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 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

Up to date as of November 3, 2016

• Some statistics have been rounded.
• Some challenges involved double-thumbs down; punishment percentage rates based on total episodes that involve punishments (122)

Cast

Brian Michael "Q" Quinn

(Born March 14, 1976) is an 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 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.

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

• Imagine Dragons (Season 2, Episode 23)
• Joey Fatone (Season 3, Episode 6 and Season 5, Episode 26: Live Nitro Circus Spectacular)
• Tommy Dreamer (Season 3, Episode 23)
• Soren Thompson (Season 4, Episode 2)
• Danica McKellar (Season 4, Episode 6)
• Ulambayaryn Byambajav (Season 4, Episode 11)
• Howie Mandel (Season 4, Episode 21:Live Punishment Special)
• Rosie O'Donnell (Season 2, Episode 22)
• James Buckley (British Invasion)
• Travis Pastrana (Season 5, Episode 26: Live Nitro Circus Spectacular)

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."^[5]

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."^[6] 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."^[7]

The series has been generally well received, garnering 1.5 million viewers during its December 15, 2011 premiere.^[8]

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."^[9]

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".^[10][11]

International versions

• A UK version of Impractical Jokers began airing in winter 2012 on BBC Three. It stars comedians Paul McCaffrey, Joel Dommett, Marek Larwood and Roisin Conaty.^[12] The pilot was filmed and placed online as part of "The Comedy Kitchen" in 2012. The first series included six episodes, which aired from November 15 - December 20, 2012. The second series also included six episodes, and aired from February 24 - April 2, 2014. It is produced by Yalli Productions.^[13] It was cancelled after Series 2 in April 2014 mainly due to its unpopularity. However, more recently, Comedy Central and Channel 5 picked up the rights to co-produce a third season of Impractical Jokers UK with Yalli Productions, starring Late Night Gimp Fight.^[14]
• A Dutch version was broadcast on Veronica in 2013, called "De Fukkers". In 2015 a new version started at RTL 5 with the name "Foute Vrienden", like the Flemish version.^[15]
• A Belgian (Flemish) version broadcast on 2BE in fall 2012, with the title "Foute Vrienden". James Murray was spotted in episode 5 of the first season.^[16] The second season, which started in March 2014, includes 10 episodes.
• A Brazilian version is currently being broadcast on SBT with the title "Amigos da Onça". The series premiere aired January 7, 2013^[17] and ended August 13, 2013. James Murray was spotted in episode 3 of the second season
• A Lebanese version broadcast on Al Jadeed in autumn / fall 2013.
• A Mexican version broadcast on TBS Latin America started in May 20, 2015 with the title "Impractical Jokers"
• A Greek version broadcast on Ant1 in February 2014 with the title "Wanted".
• A French-Canadian version broadcast on V in February 24, 2014 with the title "Les Jokers"
• A Swedish version broadcast on TV6 in April 2014 with the title "Radiostyrd"
• A Spanish version broadcast on Neox in 2014 with the title "Sinvergüenzas"
• An Egyptian version was released on social media on June 18, 2014 with the title "Al Mohayesoon"

International broadcasts

• On April 18, 2014, during the first ever live recording of their "What Say You?" Podcast at the Prince Charles Cinema in London, Q and Sal stated that, when the BBC bought the rights to create a UK version of the show, they also bought the rights to air the US version of the show in the UK. This was meant to be aired after the 1st season of the UK show, but the BBC never aired it. However it finally came to air on August 22, 2014. The US version now airs on Comedy Central UK and Channel 5.
• The series currently airs on Comedy Central India (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives), WB Channel (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives) and WB Channel Pakistan (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan)
• The series currently airs in Canada on Action.^[18]
• It is currently being shown in Australia on the Nine Network.
• It is currently being shown in New Zealand on Comedy Central New Zealand.
• The series currently airs in France and Belgium on MTV France with the title "Les Jokers".
• The series currently airs in Italy on DMAX with the title "Cattivissimi amici".
• The series currently airs in Spain on Neox and Comedy Central Spain with the title "Agárralos como Puedas".
• The series currently airs in Brazil on TBS with the title "Tirando a Maior Onda".
• The series currently airs in Bulgaria on BTV with the title "Шегаджии".^[19]
• The series currently airs in Ireland on RTÉ 2.
• The series currently airs in Germany on ProSieben Maxx.^[20]
• The original series currently airs in Poland on TTV.
• The original series currently airs in Russia on MTV Russia with the title "Нереальные подставы" (Unreal Trolling).^[21]
• The show aired on +TVI with the original title.

References

External links

• Official website of Impractical Jokers
• Impractical Jokers at the Internet Movie Database