The Big Impractical Jokers Challenges That Even Joe Couldn't Complete
In TruTV's "Impractical Jokers," Joe Gatto consistently proves himself to be one of the most fearless of the funny foursome. His willingness to do and say things even Murr, Q, and Sal consider unthinkable has earned him a special reputation among fans of the series. Although Joe left The Tenderloins comedy group in early 2022, it's never too late to look back and remember all the most memorable Joe moments.
Of course, it would be too easy to find moments where Joe does or says any number of outrageous things the other Tenderloins suggest. We already know Joe has as much shame as Batman has living parents, so there's little-to-no thrill in seeing him actually go through with a bit. Instead, the best Joe moments are found in the challenges that even he refuses to complete. After all, in a show about embarrassing people, it only makes sense to remember Joe's most embarrassing moments.
Joe won't stick his face where the sun don't shine
Say what you want about Joe Gatto, but he can definitely handle a little bit of grossness without any trouble. After all, he is the same man who went so far as to smell a stranger's foot while posing as a shoe store employee (via TruTV). Despite Joe's apparent willingness to endure that particular stench, there appear to be some genuine limitations to the olfactory punishments to which he's willing to subject himself.
In Season 2, Episode 6 ("Strip High Five"), Joe goes undercover as a receptionist in an office building (via TruTV). As clients enter the waiting room, take their seats, and leave, the guys dare Joe to do something really disgusting. Q suggests that Joe smell the seat of a client who just left to use the restroom. To his credit, Joe actually does it, sticking his face in the definitely still-warm leather and taking a mighty whiff to the obvious dismay and disgust of other clients.
However, things go too far even for iron-nose Joe when someone else demands that he ask one of the clients to get up so that he can smell their currently occupied seat. At this point, Joe is far too embarrassed to go through with it, so he resigns himself to a thumbs down and accepts the loss.
Not even Joe could make a bride cry
For a very long time, Joe was actually the only married member of The Tenderloins. Though he recently split with his wife, the fact that he was a married man is never lost on the group. This may be why one of the few times that Joe reaches his limit is when he poses as an attendant at a bridal gown shop in Season 3, Episode 21 ("Tooth and Consequences").
Unsurprisingly, Joe starts off strong, obeying each and every command issued to him. The guys initially direct him towards the groom, instructing Joe to inquire about the plans for his upcoming bachelor party. When the groom reveals that he and his friends are going to Las Vegas, the other Tenderloins immediately seize this golden opportunity, making Joe bring up many of Sin City's most well-known vices much to the groom's obvious discomfort.
However, Joe finally draws the line once Murr, Sal, and Q direct him toward the bride-to-be. With a devilish grin, Murr immediately thinks of a way to make Joe lose, telling him to ask the bride, "What style was your first wedding dress?" Such a question would, of course, be terribly offensive unless Joe knew she had already been married once before. But, since he literally just met this woman, Joe is understandably squeamish about asking such a personal question. Instead, the jokester simply comments on the flowy nature of her current dress and quickly backs out of the stunt.
Joe doesn't have the guts to say something risky about race
Joe and the other Tenderloins are certainly willing to say things to strangers that most people wouldn't even dream of uttering to their closest friends. Although it might not always seem so obvious, there are certain lines even these men aren't willing to cross. In Season 1, Episode 10 ("What Did I Eat?"), Joe is forced to pose as a beachfront employee on a boardwalk and repeat a number of ridiculous statements to fellow beachgoers (via TruTV).
As Joe walks by a Black man sitting on a beachside bench, Murr instructs Joe to warn this beachgoer about a recent slew of race-based shark attacks. Joe doesn't seem especially eager to strike up such a conversation but makes his way over toward the man anyway. After asking if the man enjoyed the water, Joe starts off by saying, "I heard we had to be careful today because the sharks were out there." After the man responds with surprise, Joe replies, "Yeah, they were targeting..."
However, before completing his sentence, the comedian thinks better of it and simply accepts the loss. While the idea of racist sharks lurking in the waters is certainly a ridiculous one, it's simply far too sensitive of a topic for Joe to entertain, and he shuts it down relatively quickly.