Why Are We Surprised That An ‘Impractical Joker’ Crossed the Line?

The long-running success of Impractical Jokers was based on its cast members’ willingness to ignore social boundaries and make others uncomfortable, all in the name of comedy. The fact that their victims didn’t sign up for the act? That just made the indignities funnier. 

So it was sad but entirely predictable to read the damning headlines about joker Joe Gatto this week, all based on an angry TikTok posted by a young woman accusing him of sexual assault.

In a separate video, @joozyb details the night she met Gatto in a restaurant and asked for free tickets to a show. One thing led to another and, in her words, “some stuff happened.” She also expressed frustration that some on social media didn’t believe her claims.

That’s probably because Gatto has denied the allegations, though he admits he’s not entirely innocent. “I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most,” Gatto said in a statement, as reported by Variety. “But anyone who knows me at all knows full well that I wouldn’t assault anyone. Working on myself is an ongoing process, and I am now going to take some time away from the public eye to focus my energies where I need to.”

Impractical Jokers was never about assault, that’s true. But the show reveled in humiliation. Whipping food in a stranger’s face? Stealing autographed baseballs from little kids? Loudly watching porn in a crowded coffee shop? All fair game for the fellas, who egged each other on to see how far the degradation could go. Stopping in the name of decency would only defy the premise of Impractical Jokers, which glorified “using poor judgment” as hilarious entertainment.

The cruelest aspect of the show was its disregard for anyone not in on the joke. Ordinary people existed to be embarrassed or infuriated, depending on the nature of that segment’s prank. You might argue that no one got more humiliated than the Impractical Jokers themselves, but at least they signed up for it. They also got paid.

I’m not comparing an allegation of sexual assault to a television practical joke. But a complete disregard for other people’s boundaries and consent was always the dark underbelly of Impractical Jokers. Asking for forgiveness (and a waiver signature) after the fact isn’t the same as treating others with respect.

So it wasn’t surprising to learn Gatto (at best) used poor judgment and violated trust. Those are the qualities that got the Impractical Jokers famous in the first place.