Joe Gatto will not be replaced on Impractical Jokers, as season 10 will feature celebrity guest hosts, and the first is set to be Eric André.
Impractical Jokers has been one of truTV’s flagship shows since the show first premiered on the channel in 2011.
Moreover, for nine seasons so far, fans have been accustomed to comedians and real-life friends Joe Gatto, James ‘Murr’ Murray, Brian ‘Q’ Quinn, and Sal Vulcano fronting the show.
Unlike the previous seasons, season 10 is set to mark a change in the formation of the hosts. This is as Joe Gatto announced his departure from the show for the upcoming new season.
Though Joe will not be returning for the new season, the production has decided not to replace him with a permanent new host, instead, season 10 will feature celebrity guest hosts.
What is Impractical Jokers?
Impractical Jokers first premiered on truTV in 2011 and throughout its nine-season run so far, the show is considered one of the longest running cable shows on television.
The success of the show, which was created by the four comedians and hosts, hinges on its family-friendly take on pranks and candid camera moments, which has arguably aided in its successful run to date.
The premise of the show is, “Comedians Joe Gatto, James ‘Murr’ Murray, Brian ‘Q’ Quinn, and Sal Vulcano are real-life best friends who love challenging each other to the most outrageous dares and stunts ever caught on hidden camera.”
Who replaced Joe on Impractical Jokers?
In December 2021, Joe Gatto took to Instagram to announce that he was officially leaving Impractical Jokers indefinitely.
Gatto confirmed that he was looking to work on personal family issues, and this was why he would not return to the show for the upcoming tenth milestone season.
In light of his announcement, Murr, Q and Sal released a joint statement affirming that despite the loss of Gatto, they would continue with the show.
However, the matter of how the configuration would work was a detail that was only recently revealed in preparation for season 10, which is set to air the first episode on Saturday, 2 April 2022, following the NCAA Men’s Final Four.
In the social media post confirming the first episode, the show also confirmed that the season will have a host of celebrity guest hosts. The first of those hosts is set to be Jackass’ Eric Andre.
Joe Gatto on leaving Impractical Jokers
Joe Gatto confirmed through Instagram on New Year’s Eve 2021, that he was not going to be part of the Impractical Jokers’ tenth season.
The post highlighted the depth of the friendship he has with the rest of the comedians by writing, “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.”
Going on to add, “However, due to some issues in my personal life, I have to step away. Bessy and I have decided to amicably part ways, so now I need to focus on being the best father and co-parent to our two incredible kids.”
The couple, who have been together since 2010 and got married in 2013, have two children together.
Impractical Jokers on Joe Gatto’s departure
Following Joe Gatto’s confirmation post on his indefinite exit from Impractical Jokers, the remaining real-life friends and hosts of the show, Murr, Q and Sal, released a joint statement.
Touching on the departure of their long-time friend and partner-in-jokes, the statement in part read, “After all the years together, we never imagined making Impractical Jokers without Joe.”
The rest of the post served to confirm that Q, Sal and Murr would continue with the show, which echoed Joe’s sentiments that the show should continue despite his absence in the upcoming new season.
Will Joe return to Impractical Jokers?
When Impractical Jokers’ Joe Gatto confirmed his indefinite exit from the show, he did not touch on whether he plans to return in the future.
Gatto not being specific in whether the absence from season 10 is a sabbatical, or an indefinite hiatus left room for speculation that he might return.
More so, as season 10 will only feature celebrity guest hosts in his place. It is also important to note that the show was created by Joe, along with Murr, Q and Sal, who serve as the co-creators of the series.
Therefore, if he is still credited as a producer of the show with the new season, that is surely a positive sign that he will return to the show in the future.
Final thoughts
Since its inception, Impractical Jokers has always been a four-man formation anchored by real-life friends and comedians, Joe, Q, Murr and Sal.
The four-man formation has also become an anchor for fans who have watched as the friendship of the hosts deepened through the years.
Hence when on New Year’s Eve in 2021, Joe Gatto announced that he would not be a part of season 10 of Impractical Jokers due to personal family issues, the fans were taken aback.
Specifically, Joe was in the process of divorcing his wife and was taking the time away to focus on being a co-parent to his children.