Joe Gatto quits “impractical jokers” – the comedy troupe seeks a “new chapter”
Comedian Joe Gatto has announced his departure from the Prank TV show Inconvenient jokers, citing family reasons.
Gatto said in an Instagram post that he will be leaving the series in which he has starred in more than 200 episodes over nine seasons since his debut in December 2011.
“I just wanted you all to know that I will no longer be involved with Impractical Jokers,” he wrote in the post in which he paid tribute to his colleagues, saying he “couldn’t be more proud of what has been accomplished “.
“Due to some issues in my personal life I have to step away,” he wrote, adding that “Bessy and I have decided to go their separate ways amicably, so now I have to focus on the fact. to be the best father and co-parent to our two amazing children. “
“Even though the four of us are the ones you all see, this show is only possible thanks to the hard work of the talented team members who work behind the scenes,” he wrote, “I am very grateful to have worked with each and every one of them. “
“As I work through the challenges I face, I hope and am excited to create new ways to entertain you,” he added.
Gatto was a founding member of The Tenderloins comedy troupe, originally from Staten Island, New York.
Often seen as the successor to hit prank shows like Candid Camera and Jackass, each half-hour episode of Impractical Jokers features Gatto, James “Murr” Murray, Brian “Q” Quinn, and Sal Vulcano.
There have been four spin-offs of the series and a feature film with the group was released in February 2020.
Getty Images for WarnerMedia / Mike Coppola
The show appeared on the truTV cable network which is part of AT & T’s WarnerMedia, which News week contacted for comment.
In response to Gatto’s departure, other members of the troop said they were “saddened” to see him go, but would continue.
“With the support of our fans, we will start creating a new chapter of ‘Impractical Jokers’ again in January,” Murray, Quinn and Vulcano said in a statement.
It’s unclear what impact Gatto’s departure will have on the future of the cast, which made an initial deal with WarnerMedia earlier in 2021 and renewed its flagship show for a tenth season, Deadline reported.
The Tenderloins comedy troupe was also to develop and produce programs for TNT, TBS and truTV as well as HBO Max.