truTV's 'IMPRACTICAL JOKERS LIVE' w/HOST HOWIE MANDEL CELEBRATES 100th EPISODE

Impractical Jokers is produced for truTV by NorthSouth Productions (Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, Double Divas), with Charlie DeBevoise, Mark Hickman, Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn, and Sal Vulcano serving as executive producers.  The series celebrated their 100th episode last night via first-ever LIVE punishment in New York City's South Street Seaport in front of hundreds of fans.  

Getting the crowd hyped up for the evening's festivities was the Jokers' trainer, highwire expert and Ringling Bros. Circus clown Bello Nock, best known as the "World's Greatest Dare Devil." With his signature foot-tall red hair, Bello walked the highwire first to demonstrate just how "easy" a challenge it would be for the Jokers to complete, much to delight of the masses waiting for the main event.

Hosted by Howie Mandel, Impractical Jokers stars Q, Murr, Joe and Sal made a grand entrance on a double-decker bus, then each gingerly walked a highwire five stories above the street, as thousands nervously watched the terrifying challenge to see who could walk the farthest.  Ultimately the goal was to raise the most money for their charity.  

The first to hit the highwire was Murr, who as fans familiar with a popular past episode know, has a strong aversion to heights. With his three best friends cheering him on and the crowd below chanting his name, Murr was able to make it about 9.7 ft. across the wire before falling off. 

Next up was Sal, who motivated himself by doing a little dance with his eyes closed before stepping onto the wire and making it an impressive 9.2 ft.

Then came Joe, wearing his always entertaining Captain Fat Belly costume, which he was forced to wear after being declared the “biggest loser” at the end of the 100th episode. Joe, who was the frontrunner voted by Impractical Jokers fans leading up to the live event as the most likely to walk the farthest, gave it his all and made it about 5 ft. across.

Last but not least was Q, who after a few false starts, was able to walk the full length of the tightrope using his own distinctive technique, to claim victory and win $50,000 for his favorite charity. The three remaining Jokers’ charities will each receive $10,000 donations.

As part of the live punishment special, GEICO gave fans the power to save one of the Jokers from having to walk the highwire first – and also the power to set the order of walkers. Launching the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 2, truTV and GEICO allowed fans to vote for the GEICO Save to #SAVEJOE, #SAVEMURR, #SAVEQ, or #SAVESAL via their social channels. The results were tallied in an online leaderboard at www.trutv.com/jokers100 and revealed on-air during the live punishment special. The lucky Joker who decided everyone’s fate was Q.

truTV partnered with FanDuel (www.fanduel.com,) the largest one-day fantasy sports operator, to each contribute $25,000 towards a $50,000 cash prize for the winning Joker’s beneficiary. The other three charities will each receive $10,000, provided by truTV. Sal walked for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF); Joe for Daniel’s Music Foundation; Murr for theMake-A-Wish Foundation and Q for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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