Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy Celebrating the Washington Pavilion’s

Joe Gatto, a well-known comedian, actor and producer, is best known for the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index.” He is one of the founding members of The Tenderloins Comedy Troupe who has toured with a live comedy show to sold-out crowds across the world, including legendary arenas like Madison Square Garden in New York and the O2 Arena in London.

Joe also is a co-host of the Two Cool Moms Podcast and has appeared on hit podcasts including This Past Weekend with Theo Von, What a Joke with Papa and Fortune, and Life Is Short with Justin Long.

Joe loves spending time with his two children and his ever-growing pack of rescue dogs affectionately known as the “Gatto Pups.”

Q&A with Joe Gatto

What is the best joke that appeared on Impractical Jokers? And what made you the most uncomfortable?

It’s hard to say, after a decade with so many episodes, a ton of moments stand out. I think a highlight for me was being dressed as a genie and the guys using my body as a wrecking ball to destroy the set of a local production of “Arabian Nights” while I was strung to wires so I could fly. If we are talking about what I did to the other guys, it was when we played a major mind trick on Sal for his punishment when he was not sure if it was a punishment. I used his own mind against him, knowing he’d be running around that hamster wheel in his head and get himself in a tizzy. I am most proud of that. It truly showed how well we know each other, and it was one I had to convince everyone would work. And it did, famously. The most uncomfortable is super easy to identify, it was my punishment when an all-star Mets pitcher was throwing signed baseballs into the stands to children and I had to steal them all. Then I put them in my fanny pack and tell people that they could get them on eBay. Let’s just say the parents were not very happy with me.

Did anyone ever get slapped or attacked mid-joke on the show?

No.The show was always aimed inward. If we were making people mad, we weren’t really capturing the essence of the show.

Since you left Impractical Jokers,you are now involved multiple podcasts and also touring solo. Please tell us about those 2 endeavors and what fans can expect at the your solo stand up shows.

My stand-up show is just that, an hour comedy set telling stories from my life, from on the show and off. It’s really a night with me now, where when I was touring with the guys, I’d be part of a foursome and only responsible for 25% of the funny. Now, I get to talk about my friendships with the guys, my childhood, my experiences with parenting and of course dogs. People really got to see my personality on the show, so if you laughed at me there, you will laugh at me on stage. That’s the benefit of not playing a character, I’m just crazy ass Joe Gatto.

The podcast came about because I always wanted to work with the very funny and talented comedian friend of mine Steve Byrne. I’ve known him for like 10 years. He actually opened for us during the Jokers arena tour in the United Kingdom. So when I got some time on my hands, we teamed up to create “Two Cool Moms.” The premise of the show is that we both had really amazing moms growing up that gave us some excellent life advice, and we like to think we’ve inherited that trait. We start each episode off talking about our moms and childhood, then get into answering listener submitted questions and helping them with their dilemmas.

You are very passionate about senior dog rescue and AntiBullying.Where did those passions start from?

I was a victim of bullying from a young age and luckily I was able to use my humor as a suit of armor against it. As I grew in fame and met more fans, I realized I had a lot of younger fans that dealing with it too and felt I could help with some advice when meeting them and listening to their stories. So I wanted to use my platform to help let people know that they are not alone and it will get better. We all go through tough times, so at least try to laugh.

The dogs are a result of us getting our first dog Cannoli who came from a puppy mill and needed a ton of surgeries and tests within the first year of having her. It opened my eyes to the industry as a whole, and opened our hearts and home to rescuing. It was then that The Gatto Pups were born and we’ve tried to do our part to give dogs a good life instead of a shelter life, especially the old ones on their way out. It also has taught my kids with

Joe Gatto’s

Night of Comedy

October 1 • 7pm • Washington Pavilion Mary W. Sommervold Hall • Get tickets at JoeGattoOfficial.com

compassion, especially my daughter. She is super lovey with them all.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

Spending more time with my kids has really made me see the humor in parenthood. They are just such interesting little humans and make me laugh so hard. We recently went to the theme park Legoland. My daughter is a daredevil. My son, not so much. The whole time riding the baby dragon coaster he was yelling “I want Grandpa!” but his grandfather wasn’t even in the park with us, he was two hours away at home on Long Island. I guess he hoped Grandpa would have heard him.

Being on the road is always so much fun too. Meeting people and interacting with the fans is always great and you never know what can happen. I hooked up two single audience members who came solo to one of my shows while on tour in Columbus Ohio. They really hit it off. The guy thanked me after, saying he’s always had problems coming out of his shell and they exchanged numbers. I told him if it goes the distance he has to name his first born Larry.

If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Dancing in September by Earth Wind and Fire. It always gets me going. Although, every song by Dua Lipa gets me shaking my money maker as of late, she is a phenomenal talent.

You’re a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?

Scoopskie Potatoes Brown. For obvious reasons.

What fictional character do you identify with the most? Why?

My man was always Bugs Bunny. I loved Looney Tunes growing up. He’s funny. He’s fearless. He’s a leader. He has a heart. I have some of the greatest memories from my childhood laughing and watching him with my family. And now, I get to do that with my kids now and relive that joy.

What part of the human face is your favorite?

Eyes. They do a lot. See, cry, blink. I also think I would not be half as funny without the expressive eyes I have. When I am taking pictures with my fans during the meet and greets after my shows, I’m asked all the time to “do that thing with your eyes.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A movie director. It has been my dream since a child and the reason I actually even pursued a career in entertainment. It is what I am working actively towards now. Movies are magical, and mean so much to so many. I really think to be part of that world is amazing and I have always connected with films across so many genres that tell a great story.

What kid’s movie is scary to you?

I watch a lot of them now with my kids, but the latest Minions was a bit intense. LOVE that franchise. My daughter has been a minion like 3 years in a row for Halloween. My son got a little freaked out when we watched it in the theater. I mean Gru is running for his life during the first 12 minutes of the movie. Plus Steve Carrell is a comedic god.

What TV or movie character would you most like to have lunch with?

Han Solo. I think he’d have some amazing stories to share. And hopefully he’d bring Chewbacca as his plus one.

What are 10 uses for a stapler? Other than what it was designed for.

Self defense Puppetry Paperweight Door stopper Prop Microphone Landmark in an impromptu map when outlining a bank heist A third thing to juggle A balance beam for finger gymnastics An iPhone holder when having a FaceTime call Morse code communication device