Zane and Heath: Unfiltered – Episode 304

“Sal Vulcano Exposes His Biggest Regrets from Impractical Jokers”

Release Date: October 20, 2025
Hosts: Zane, Heath, Matt
Special Guest: Sal Vulcano

Overview

This episode of Zane and Heath: Unfiltered features a lively and candid conversation with returning guest Sal Vulcano, comedian and star of Impractical Jokers. Sal opens up about navigating fame, the personal boundaries he’s drawn throughout his career, parenting late in life, his infamous and hilarious tattoo stories, the meme-ification of his image, and behind-the-scenes insights into Impractical Jokers. The group dives deep into Sal’s personal growth, biggest regrets, parenthood, career transitions, and some of the wildest moments from his life on and off camera, all while maintaining the irreverently honest, self-deprecating tone the podcast is known for.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sal Vulcano: Updates and New Touring Life

• Early segment [13:21–15:16]: Sal gives updates on his comedy tour, describing a massive schedule stretching from September 2024 to 2027, with over 100 cities.
  • “I took a three month hiatus because I wrapped up season 12 of Impractical Jokers... Now I'm just about to hit it hard again.” (Sal, 14:54)
  • Discusses the exhausting logistical grind: jet bridges, hotels, cities he never gets to see.
  • He prioritizes booking plans so he can occasionally enjoy a city for an extra day or two.

2. Parenthood & Privacy in the Public Eye

• Transition to fatherhood [19:28–27:23]:
  • Sal talks openly for the first time about having a son and a daughter, and why he initially kept his family life private:
    • “I just don't want my... I just don't want to introduce that. But... I think it's about time do it on my terms.” (Sal, 19:55)
    • Expresses his protective instincts, concerns over privacy, dealing with obsessed fans and stalkers.
  • Gives emotional advice to Heath, who’s about to become a dad:
    • “There really aren't words to describe it. It's inexplainable... imagine having a feeling that you’ve never had before at 45, and it's just completely unlocked something new.” (Sal, 23:13)
  • On not feeling attached before birth: “Totally normal. When your kid comes, you'll feel it—but you'll also never stop being surprised they exist.” (Sal, 24:10)

3. Tattoo Disasters & Impractical Jokers Regrets

• Hilariously bizarre tattoo stories [32:32–42:06]:
  • Sal’s infamous Jaden Smith thigh tattoos—an "arbitrary punishment" from Impractical Jokers:
    • “I didn’t know what it was gonna be... Four hours later... it was a 15-year-old Jaden Smith. Which I have no relation to at all... he's my Louise.” (Sal, 36:12)
  • Meeting Jaden Smith in a Batman costume at Comic-Con, and later having to update the tattoo live with Jaden himself:
    • “I was upset because, like, one is enough, you know? There's a real big difference between one and two. With two they’re like, ‘I think that man poses a threat to that kid’.” (Sal, 41:23)
  • Biggest regret: Permanent, odd tattoos for comedy:
    • “The joke is, it's permanent. And so, I commit to the joke... that’s my regret, it's a permanent one.” (Sal, 41:44)
  • The doctor mistaking his tattoos for LeBron James and Steph Curry:
    • “Who's the other man?” (Doctor)
    • “No, actually that's not, he's not the man, cause that's a boy. And then he was like, what?” (Sal, 45:09)

4. Life as a Meme

• Going viral unintentionally [54:00–57:53]:
  • Sal’s awkward photo—originally the “worst photo I’ve ever taken”—became a viral meme used everywhere from college dorms to fraternity banners, tapestries, even on cakes and mugs.
  • “I see it everywhere. Bumper stickers, mugs, everything. I have a mug with it because I bought someone else’s.” (Sal, 57:35)
  • Has never profited from its viral success and jokes about being paid for his own likeness.
  • “Kids stand up at shows and go ‘you are our lord and savior’.” (Sal, 59:43)

5. Regrets & Reflections on Impractical Jokers

• Season 12 wrap-up, the future, and behind-the-scenes [68:34–72:36]:
  • Sal shares how the relentless production schedule is now more sustainable after negotiating less work and more personal time.
  • On working with lifelong friends: “We’ve been friends since we were 13... We always started from a really good, strong place of being able to navigate that kind of thing.” (Sal, 71:37)
  • Hints at uncertainty for the next season and what they'd do for a finale if the show ends.

6. New Ventures & Embracing Absurdity

• Launching a talk show “Minouche” [64:25–67:28]:
  • “Really big guests, really small talk... it's a one-on-one interview show that goes in and out of like, conversation and sketch comedy... absurd, tongue-in-cheek.” (Sal, 64:33)
  • Guests will get questions like “Have you ever shoved somebody on Black Friday?”—breaking away from typical PR interviews.

7. Late-in-life Hobbies & Celebrating Aging

• Sailing [72:46–78:13]:
  • Sal has recently started taking sailing lessons as a deliberate step outside his comfort zone.
  • “I realized, I thought I wanted to do it, but... I'm more of a pontoon guy.” (Matt, 78:54)
  • The technical language and expense are discussed, but Sal found an affordable local nonprofit.
  • Sailing as therapy: “It’s the only thing I can be thinking about... brings me such peace.” (Sal, 76:53)
• Reinventing nightlife [85:04–88:18]:
  • Praises “grown-up” dance parties starting at 6 PM and ending by 10 PM, providing night-life for people who want to go out but be in bed by eleven.
  • “It’s the full club experience... I was in bed by 11. And I felt like I went out!” (Sal, 86:20)
  • Fondly recalls the 80s/90s prom parties he used to throw.

8. Mortifying Mishaps: Showing Up to the Wrong Party

• Art party misadventure [89:40–95:00]:
  • Sal and his friends showed up in full art-themed costumes a day early, accidently walking into the hosts' private dinner.
  • “The elevator opens... right into the middle of the living room of these people's homes. And there's no party. Oh no, I got the night wrong.” (Sal, 92:31)
  • Everyone found out about it at the real party the next night.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Imagine having a feeling you’ve never had before at 45... it’s quite magical.” (Sal, on becoming a parent—23:13)
• “I had a woman’s name tattooed on me that I don’t know.” (Heath, 33:54)
• “I later found out it was either [Jaden Smith] or they were going to put a Caesar salad.” (Sal, 36:37, on his punishment tattoo)
• “No one with two [Jaden tattoos]... there might be someone with one... but two? I can’t imagine.” (Sal, 48:03)
• “If you have one tattoo, maybe that’s supposed to be funny. You have two, and they’re like, ‘I think that man poses a threat to that kid.’” (Sal, 41:23)
• “Who's the man?” / “LeBron James, man.” / “Who's the other man?” / [embarrassed pause] “Steph Curry.” (Sal & his doctor, 44:29–45:10)
• “I see it everywhere. Bumper stickers, mugs, everything. I bought someone else’s mug of my own meme.” (Sal, 57:35)
• “We don’t know if we’re coming back... If this was going to be the end, we really wanted to make at least the last episode something [special].” (Sal, 70:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [13:31] Sal officially joins the conversation; tour updates
• [19:28] Transition to parenthood and career privacy
• [24:25] On emotional impact of having kids
• [32:32] Sal’s tattoo regrets and misadventures
• [36:12] The story behind the Jaden Smith tattoo
• [41:06] Forced to update the Jaden tattoo—with Jaden present!
• [41:44] Regret about “permanent jokes”; the balance of commitment vs. regret
• [54:00] Going viral as a meme—chronicle of the “worst photo”
• [64:25] Announcing his new talk show “Minouche”
• [68:34] Insights on Impractical Jokers production and cast relationships
• [72:46] Sal tries sailing as a new hobby
• [85:04] “Grown-up” club parties: nightlife for early-to-bed adults
• [89:40] The costume party mishap—showing up a day early in full garb

Tone & Atmosphere

The energy is irreverent, playful, and honest—self-deprecation and absurd humor run throughout. The group’s chemistry leads to plenty of side-tracking, many inside jokes, and a confessional, unguarded rapport, especially whenever Sal recounts personal failures or surreal moments from his career.

Conclusion

From reflections on extreme public visibility to the emotional complexities of fatherhood and the pitfalls of lifelong friends filming comedy together, this episode offers raw, funny, and surprisingly moving stories that exemplify why Sal Vulcano and Impractical Jokers have become iconic. Fans will find exclusive insights on the hidden costs of prank comedy, the permanent marks left behind (literally and figuratively), and a celebration of doing things “for the bit,” even when it backfires.

For tour updates and Sal’s upcoming talk show “Minouche”:
Visit salvulcanocomedy.com
Impractical Jokers Season 12 currently airing on TBS.