TBS’ “Impractical Jokers” is posting series high ratings during its first two outings in 2026. The series, which recently returned for the second half of its Season 12 on Thursday, Jan. 15, returned with a 1.62 live+3 rating among adults 25-54. That made it the highest-rated return episode for the show, which first launched in December 2011.
That 1.62 in the 25-54 demo was up 226% from the show’s Season 12 premiere (0.53), according to TBS. Among adults 18-49, it was the highest-rated episode since “Impractical Jokers” moved from TruTV to TBS in July 2024. The cabler also noted that the series also saw its audience median age drop by 13 years vs. the previous season.
Meanwhile, the show broke its own record the following week, when the second episode of Season 12b on Thursday, Jan. 22, posted a 1.86 live+3 rating with adults 25-54 — making it the No. 1 telecast on cable in that demo so far in 2026 (excluding sports and specials). After two episodes back, it’s tracking to be the No. 1 original series on cable, according to TBS.
“Impractical Jokers,” which airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on TBS, stars Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray and Sal Vulcano as they compete to embarrass each other in the general public with a series of dares. NorthSouth Productions produces the show.
Here was the description for the episode on Jan. 15: “The Jokers “Moms” are in town. However, they’re helicopter parents and are meeting the Joker’s ‘girlfriend’ for the first time. Unfortunately, The Joker must lie to his mom by convincing a stranger to be their girlfriend and agree to joining them at a Broadway show. Then, they’re back at the park asking strangers to help them record a eulogy to their beloved pet. Later, the losing joker is forced to cancel his cable while trying to cancel his fear of the living dead.”
And here was the description for the Jan. 22 episode: “The Jokers are back playing lawyers, trying to convince unsuspecting focus group participants to sign off on ridiculous terms and conditions before they go in. Then they put their family businesses to the test by asking strangers if their radio ad is good to stay on the air. Later, one joker will be getting revenge in an elaborate punishment that the other two are really going to feel.”
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