This time last year, we didn’t know about Santiago, Mustache, Ray Ray, that b!tch Irene or the infamous and illusive Larry, but as soon as we met our four favorite Jokers – James Murray, Joe Gatto, Sal Vulcano and Brian “Q” Quinn – on the series premiere of truTV’s breakout hit Impractical Jokers that all began to change. We started to learn that wit is legendary, tart whisperers exist, how dangerous it can be to skat at a buffet and, of course, there is always one friend that will be relentlessly teased (sorry, Murr).
As we watched episode after episode, our sides just seconds from splitting with laughter each time, we all quickly realized how much we adore the four lifelong best friends and how well they are able to torture one another.
With a second season about to premiere, which is guaranteed to be rife with more tear-inducing laughter and best-friend-torture, I once again had the pleasure of catching up with Murr and Joe to chat all things Jokers. While I got the scoop on the new season, we also took some time to look at their crazy year in review.
Between a smash hit TV show, millions of new fans, sold out live performances, traveling the world, launching a brand new (insanely cool) app and more, 2012 was a year the Jokers won’t soon forget – and neither will all of their fans. Here are a few extra reasons why!
MURR’S YEAR IN REVIEW
His Biggest or Most Unexpected Opportunity of the Year:
“You know, Impractical Jokers is being sold around the world, so in addition to the American version playing around the world, in foreign countries, they recast the show and they do the show with four, local comedians there.
So, one of the cool opportunities I’ve had is I’ve been able to travel a lot this year to go see those foreign versions of Impractical Jokers and work with the casts and make sure they get how the show works and talk to them about what we do and America. That’s been an amazing opportunity and it’s really just amazing to watch the show in other countries, in foreign languages, with different casts. It’s really a rush to see.”
One Day He’d Like to Relive:
“I’d love to relive the season premiere from Season 1. That was just an amazing day and the culmination of so many years of us working to succeed and get a TV show. That was an amazing night.
That being said, [the season 2 premiere] will be another equally amazing night, I’m sure. To have a second season of a TV show and a network that is this much behind it and promotes it is a dream come true, you know? I think [it] will be a night I would like to relive many times over if I could.
We’re having a kicka$$ premiere party! It’s going to be a lot of fun. All of our friends and family will be there. The network will be there. It’s going to be a great time.”
New Habits He Picked Up:
“I think I made my bed a little bit more. Is that a habit… being a little more responsible with my life? I feel like we have a TV show now, we should be a little bit more responsible, try to take care of things a little more. Maybe I’m a little bit neater.”
What He’s Learned About Himself:
“I’ll tell you what I learned! I learned that I need three new best friends!”
JOE’S YEAR IN REVIEW
His Biggest or Most Unexpected Opportunity of the Year:
“To meet fans in Iowa. I mean, that was awesome. We did a little tour last month and we went to Iowa to see the fans and it was absolutely amazing to have a packed room of people just there to see you and go absolutely nuts. We did a meet and greet after it and the meet and greet lasted longer than the show. We actually got to hang out, sign stuff and take pictures.
It’s funny. It’s good to feel the impact, not just see it, you know? In our profile, in our tweets, there are real people, shaking your hand, appreciating what you do and laughing. You get a hug and it meant a lot.”
One Day He’d Like to Relive:
“I think it’d be today. Today is our last day of shooting Season 2. I think it may be today.”
New Habits He Picked Up:
“Instagram! I picked up that and, actually, Twitter. I jumped on Twitter the beginning of this year and now I’m on it all the time. So I guess my embracing of social networking has come a long way.”
What He’s Learned About Himself:
“I’m a terrible actor! You know in the beginning when we do those what-the-show-is-about, what-the-challenge- is-about [segments]? It’s like, ‘Hey, we’re at blah, blah, blah’ and we always get a line to do. Like, I messed up a lot of those takes. When I’m told what I have to say I’m not good.”
The Spread of Nosing:
“I have plenty of pictures where I go nose to nose with people. I mean, you know, I pick a lot of people out, too. I don’t know who these people think they are when they step in my arena. I mean, come on, I invented the game. You know, it’s like trying to show Eli Whitney how the Cotton Gin works. No one can do it!
But yeah, people come up and whenever we take a picture, they’re like ‘Hi! I’m a big fan! Can you nose me?’ It’s so weird, but I love it! I love it! I love that people are having a lot of fun doing it. I love the stories about people playing along, people sending in videos of ‘Let’s Get Sexy Chants’ and yelling for ‘Larry!’ to cut the line, that’s been a really cool thing this year.”
For more about the highly anticipated second season,
check out my interview with Murr and Joe!
Season 2 of Impractical Jokers Premieres Tonight,
Thursday, December 13 at 10/9cand 10:30/9:30c on truTV
with TWO brand new episodes.
