Impractical Jokers, the long-running hidden-camera spectacle that once united families in laughter, now stands under a dark cloud following disturbing allegations against its stars Joe Gatto and James ‘Murr’ Murray. The twelfth season of the beloved prank series premiered on July 10, 2025, yet behind the laughter lurks turmoil that fans never saw coming.
Joe Gatto was accused of sexual assault and harassment, while James Murray faced his own moral storm over grooming claims. “I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most,” Gatto confessed, while denying assault.
He has since canceled his tour and checked into an inpatient facility, leaving fans aghast. Meanwhile, Murr’s name has surfaced in accusations involving a teenage fan, and the Impractical Jokers brand itself is weighed down by lawsuits reportedly worth hundreds of thousands. Let’s know this in detail!
What Are The Allegations Against Joe Gatto? Why Did Impractical Jokers Star Cancel His Tour?
The storm surrounding Joe Gatto began on March 20 when a woman posted now-deleted TikTok videos accusing him of sexual assault. She claimed Gatto assaulted her when she was 19 in 2023 after they met during one of his Milwaukee shows. Per TV Insider, their initial exchange on Instagram allegedly grew uncomfortable as his texts started to “get a little weird”.
The woman said Gatto invited her to his hotel room, where the alleged incident occurred, and she backed her claims with photos and screenshots of their chats. As the video spread across platforms, Gatto responded publicly. He informed Page Six:
I have used poor judgment and as a result have violated the trust of the people I love most. 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.
Just days later, PEOPLE reported another claim, this time from a former employee who alleged that Gatto sexually harassed her after she joined Impractical Jokers. She said she met him at 15, and his behavior turned flirtatious once she turned 18. He allegedly asked for back massages, invited her to his room to “cuddle,” and probed into her personal relationships, turning rude when rejected.
His “emotional manipulation,” she said, lasted two years. Though Gatto did not respond directly, a spokesperson reiterated his prior denial. Amid growing backlash, he entered inpatient treatment and halted his comedy tour. He shared with PEOPLE:
Having taken some time to reflect, I’ve decided to voluntarily enter an inpatient program to continue working on myself.
“I just want to thank my friends, fans and especially my family for all of their support – never more so than over the last few days”, Gatto added.
Why did Joe Gatto leave Impractical Jokers? Will Joe Gatto return to the show?
Joe Gatto’s departure from Impractical Jokers came in December 2021 after ten years of friendship, pranks, and public laughs. He shocked fans by revealing personal turmoil and separation from his wife, Bessy. Taking to Instagram, he admitted:
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.
Despite personal turbulence, Gatto later expressed affection for Bessy on another Instagram post, hinting at a rekindled relationship:
[Ten] years ago when we started out, I could have never imagined the absolute crazy ride with highs and lows our marriage has endured… But there was always love. And me knowing that there is no one else I’d want to be my person.
He added lovingly, “Love you so much Mrs. Gatto.” Bessy, however, has remained publicly silent regarding the new allegations. He informed The Wrap:
It does not feel right, and I cannot commit to coming back to it. I’ve moved on from the show, the show has moved on from me. I am so removed from it.
Still, he teased hope for closure someday:
I would, of course, love to close it in a fun way… We have been doing it for decades before that and we will be doing it for decades after.
Now what about James Murr?
Impractical Jokers’ James Murray Faced Disturbing Fan Allegations: Shocking Details Revealed
The shadow didn’t stop with Joe Gatto. Not long after his scandal, James Murray faced accusations from a Reddit user known as u/Pretend_Crab_9160, who claimed she began speaking with him at 16 and had a consensual relationship at 17, ending when she was 19. Murray allegedly continued contact even after seeing her ID.
The poster clarified that while Murr’s actions were not illegal in the U.K., where the age of consent is 16, they were morally “creepy” and “grooming behaviour.” She wrote:
It’s creepy, it’s grooming behaviour, and morally wrong. IT IS NOT ILLEGAL. I’m not accusing him of committing a crime. The reason I shared my story is because I was sick of others not being believed, and James being defended, when I had evidence that he is a creep.
She also claimed she attended an Impractical Jokers after-party in London where “a Class A drug” was being used, adding that “there were a few young women there, one who disclosed to me that she was 15 years old.” As of now, Murray has not addressed these allegations publicly.
His professional life has also been marked by dark incidents. During filming, he suffered second-degree burns from dry ice, tweeting:
@amanda_pangburn I got second degree burns actually from the dry ice and went to the hospital after filming. No joke
Also, the comedian has reportedly endured emotional and physical strain for the show, from skydiving despite his severe fear of heights to watching his childhood blanket being burned on camera.
Impractical Jokers Lawsuit Drama: Filming Scandal and Reported $500K Claim Exposed
Even the production side of Impractical Jokers hasn’t escaped controversy. In 2019, Giovanna Santoni-Waldinger sued the show after her face was aired without consent during a restaurant prank in Times Square. Though she refused to sign a waiver, the footage aired anyway. “I just want justice. I saw what they did and it’s not right,” she told The New York Post.
Meanwhile, former crew member Larry Crisci filed a separate $500,000 lawsuit, alleging that producers kept using his name as a running gag (That Larry Guy) even after he left the show (per TMZ).
The cracks beneath the comedy crown of Impractical Jokers are now impossible to ignore. Between Gatto’s allegations, Murray’s controversy, and legal turmoil, the show’s reputation teeters on thin ice. So, readers, what do you think? Can a show built on pranks and friendship survive its own dark chapters? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
Impractical Jokers currently streams on TBS and Hulu.
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