By Geno McGahee
The TruTV’s hit show IMPRACTICAL JOKERS have hit the road and came to the Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. It’s been quite a while since I covered an event and I was happy to attend this show, which was one of back to back shows this past Saturday night.
The show began with Mike Finoia and he got the audience laughing immediately. Despite the crowd wanting the Jokers, Finoia was warmly received and very entertaining. His commentary about marriage and politics was very funny. It led to the moment that the crowd was waiting for, the introduction of the Impractical Jokers.
James Murray, Sal Vulcano and Brian Quinn hit the stage and were very funny. It would have been great if Joe Gatto was still involved, but the show was hilarious despite that. Murr came out wearing a very bad wig from Party City after forgetting to bring the wig made out of Q’s natural hair. The three worked well off each other, taking jabs at each other throughout the show.
There were so many funny stories, including how Murr scared off advertisers after discussing his mother’s lady parts during a zoom meeting. Sal would discuss his own screw up when he went on the Kelly Ripa show, drunk, and taking a shot at Denzel Washington, unprovoked. The show was just story after story and laugh after laugh. These lifelong friends understand how to tell and story and how to deliver punch lines, especially Q.
Q noted that he recorded the meows from his dead cat and he recorded over his grandmother’s dying words. When pressed for what her words were, he made some erection jokes and it was very funny. It was also very funny when he was screaming “eat the rich” and “USA” despite being rich himself, which Murr called him on.
A lucky 12-year-old was allowed on stage to shock poor Sal during his story about Jaden Smith and his tattoos. It was another funny spot. The show concluded with a new skit where the four Jokers, Joe Gatto included, tried to show who could be the creepiest, and Murr with his fake mustache and 1970’s creepy tight clothing easily won. There was no surprise there, but Sal demanding people get into his van and Q getting roughed up at a baseball game deserved some props.
I’ve always been a fan of Foxwoods, but it’s been many years since I’ve covered an event and I’ve never been to the Premier Theater. It was a great venue and the way it’s set up, there wasn’t a bad seat in the house. Prior to the show I took a walk around the building, checking out the shops and grabbing some food. It was a good time.
IMPRACTICAL JOKERS: THE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE TOUR was such a good time with my only complaint being the mediocre wine at the bar. You can’t win them all, but despite the wine, it was a great show at a great venue. The next time, I’ll make sure to hit the tables.
