
CO-HOST | Make Money by Turning Friendship, Comedy, and Creativity Into a Hit
9/14/2026
0:00
22:37
Joe Gatto is a comedian, writer, producer, and one of the stars of Impractical Jokers, the hit comedy series he helped create with his longtime friends. What started with four friends practicing improv in Joe's mom's basement eventually became a decade-long television phenomenon spanning more than 300 episodes. In this episode, Joe takes us behind the scenes of how the show came together, why the group's friendship was so important to its success, and how he developed his career as a creative force both in front of and behind the camera. He also opens up about balancing ambition with family and learning to be fully present for the people who matter most.
On this episode we talk about:
How Impractical Jokers began with four friends doing improv together in Joe's mom's basement
Why the group spent nearly a decade developing their comedy before Impractical Jokers became a reality
How studying great improvisers helped Joe and his friends develop their craft
Why the Impractical Jokers format came from finding the group's own unique version of a prank show
The importance of giving people the ability to say "no" and keeping comedy from crossing the line
How the show's punishments, recurring jokes, and spontaneous moments were developed
Joe's evolution from performer to writer, director, and producer
Why starting small and continuing to create can eventually lead to something much bigger
The challenge of balancing career ambition with being present for your children
Why being mentally present can matter more than the amount of time you spend with your kids
Top 3 Takeaways
Great things can start incredibly small. Impractical Jokers began with four friends practicing improv in a basement simply because they enjoyed making each other laugh. Joe's story is a reminder that you don't need a massive platform or budget to start developing something worthwhile.
Find your own version of what's already working. The group was initially asked to create a prank show, but instead of copying what was already popular, they asked what a prank show would look like if it played to their particular strengths. That unique perspective ultimately became the foundation of Impractical Jokers.
Be present for the moments that matter. Joe emphasizes that there isn't necessarily a perfect "balance" between career and family. Instead, you have to be present wherever you are. Even five focused minutes of playing with your kids can create a meaningful memory when you're completely engaged rather than distracted by your phone or work.
Notable Quotes
"If you pay attention and treat them as professors—and you learn. It's like, you know, you study comedy."
"You have to be where you are."
"Because at the end of the day, we're nice guys, we're friends."
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