We’re James “Murr” Murray from Impractical Jokers and veteran sci-fi author Darren Wearmouth, authors of the new bestselling thriller AWAKENED—Ask Us Anything!

Hey Murr! I love Awakened!! Do you and Joe, Q, & Sal still hang out outside of filming Jokers?

All the time

Hey Murr - looking forward to getting/reading the book. Have you ever been so far as to even pretend to even want to go to do more like?

True true

1. Are you guys getting recognized more frequently, while shooting impractical Jokers?

2. What are your favourite moments on the show?

3. What are some unexpected pros and cons of fame?

Thank you for the excellent work on impractical Jokers. I will surely check Awakened out!

1. Yes we are getting more recognized but that is a good problem to have
2. 2 way mirrors
3. Pro-not waiting in line at amusement parks Cons-everyone thinking I'm pranking them, everywhere I am

Love you guys, I've got to head to the Staten Island Museum for the Grand Opening of the Impractical Jokers exhibit. I cannot thank you enough for buying my thriller Awakened. If you loved it, thanks for spreading the word. Brand new episodes of Jokers begin August 2!

My friend keeps trying to tell me Impractical Jokers isn't a good show. What knowledge of the universe do I have that he doesn't?

Your friend has lost his mind

Hey Murr! How irritated do you get when someone else besides your 3 best friends refer to you as a ferret?

It's who I am now!

What punishment made you almost consider leaving the show? How did that day go before and after the punishment?

Getting 2 prostate exams was kinda harsh!

Hey Murr! The challenges where you are all in a waiting room and you try to make the other joker laugh is one of my favourite challenge. Do you plan on doing more challenges like that in the future?

Yes, I can't wait!

Hey Murr, how’s your blue blanket holding up?

struggle bus

Hey Murr! Do you and the Impractical Jokers guys plan on bringing back the Tenderloins Podcast anytime soon?

When we have time, I'd love to

Did you ever ask out the pretty black woman that the guys hired to flirt with you?

I did. She never replied lol

Murr, are any of the characters in Awakened inspired by the other Jokers? It looks like they've all been very supportive of you and your novel on twitter (which I expected no less from them).

My husband, son and I watch Impractical Jokers all the time. We hope to see you in Baltimore for a book signing!

Sal Kirsch is Sal. Mike is Q. Joe was a character who I rewrote into Dwight Munoz

Hey Murr! Can you tell us more about life before the show? Has your relationship with the guys changed over the years?

We were regular guys who failed a lot and worked really hard

Hey Murr! Would you rather fight 100 duck sized Sals or 1 Sal sized duck?

duck sized Sals

How did you come up with the idea for this story?

You try riding the subways at night, you'll see how easy it is to think of a horror!

James, it often seems like you're the only one with a post-IJ exit strategy. Is that accurate or are the other guys secretly planning their next steps?

No secret plans, I just love thrillers

Hey Murr!! Thanks for doing this, you’re me and my sister’s favorite joker, we love ya :) QUESTION: what’s your favorite punishment that’s been done on one of the guys or yourself? Which one of your punishments was the most embarrassing?

Joe as a Genie

Being Dracula was my favorite and Winnie Cooper was the most embarrassing.

With the increasing popularity of IJ how hard is it now compared to earlier seasons to get footage without people recognizing one of you and ruining the shoot? For instance on an episode of Inside Jokes, it was revealed there was a shoot day cancelled because someone played a saxophone whenever y’all tried to do a challenge.

It is harder but thats a good problem to have

Are you going to let me take you for a cheeky nandos when you're back in the UK?

Yep

Hey murr. What’s the hardest prank you ever had to do on impractical jokers?

Strip High Five!

Hey Murr, you’re my favorite joker. Do you ever feel like you’re not appreciated by the other guys. I’m sure all their wisecracks about you are in good fun, but do you ever get tired of that? They always seem to be asking, “How are we friends with you?” Sorry if this is too personal or too stupid.

Of course not! I love them, they are my best friends

Hey murr. Do you ever step on Sal's shoes on purpose?

I'll never tell

When can we expect AWAKENED to be on TV?.

I pitch the TV series this summer with IDW comics

howdy murr. do you have a family?

also, out of all the jokers, who is your closest friend?

I have my parents, sisters and lots of nieces and nephews. and my blankie

Is this thing still going on?

Yes

So when does Joe get his tattoo?

Let's say Tuesday

Do you think awakened going to be on TV before the last book are out?

Hell yeah!

Hi Murr! My husband and I are HUGE fans. (Since season 1!!) I have two questions for you: What is the dumbest way you’ve been injured? And what’s the most useless talent you have?

Dodgeball punishment sent me to the hospital. I can catch 27 quarters stacked vertically on my elbow.

Hey Murr! Wife and I are huge fans of your show and planning on seeing you in Milwaukee on my birthday!

What do you personally think is the best look for you? Wearing Q’s hair, all the piercings, or bald without eyebrows?

Q's hair gave me a confidence I haven't had in a long time

Hi Darren. Hey Murr, did you know Nick Kroll in college? I noticed that you both went to Georgetown.

Yep, Nick and I have known each other for many years

What was your fav moment on impractical jokers?

The novocaine punishment

Hi murr how dissapointed was your dad when he first saw your movie "damned" what did he first say?

He wasnt happy lol

What was your favorite video game growing up?

The Legend of Zelda

Do you have a favourite tv show? Author? What made you decide to write a thriller novel?

McGyver.

Murr who is one actor who you'd like to be in an Awakened movie?

Tristan Mays from CBS's MacGyver to play Sarah Bowcut

Hiya Murr and Darren... How did you two connect that resulted in your collaboration on "Awakened"?

Harper Collins recommended best selling authors to me to choose from and I fell in love with Darren.

James, do you want children?

Maybe one day

I wonder who be playing Mike????

Q

I love your show! Did you ever imagine it would be this big and widely adored?

I never imagined it would be a family show!

Hey murr! Loving the book so far!! How far are you on your videos for people who bought the book? Trying to keep mine a secret for the fiancé but its so hard!

I have a lot to go, but I am making great progress.

Hey Murr! I have loved impractical Jokers from the beginning and it’s always cool to see people from your favorite shows thrive in other environments!

Your my girlfriends favorite on the show by the way, anyway she could get a shoutout?:D

Yo, girlfriend!!!

How do you write Murr?. Do you need peace and quiet?.

I procrastinate was much as humanly possible.

Hi James and Darren!! I can’t wait to see you both on #JokersCruise 3! Are you excited for the cruise? Loved your book!

Cannot wait!

Our whole family watches your show, we went to your live show in St. Augustine, FL! We would have loved to meet you but it was packed! Whats the secret in meeting you guys? Oh, and will the book be available on audible?

The book is available on Audible now, and I READ THE NARRATION!

How did you and the gang meet?

Freshman yr of HS

Hi Murr! My wife and I love the show, die hard fans since Season 1. I have two questions for you: what is the one food you WILL NOT eat, and what was your very first job?

I will not eat calamari. Party City w/ Joe on Staten Island.

Hey Murr, love you and the show! Just curious, what would you be doing right now if you never met the guys? Would you be writing books like Awakened?

Yes, I would have written the book

Was there a different working title for the novel or another option that you had besides Awakened? Ps. Reading it now! Really enjoying it so far :)

The original title was Sub Terranean

What was it like having Hugh Jackman visit the Awakened Experience?

He's a dreamboat

Hey Murr, What was your hardest punishment on the show? Just watched the one where you put out people’s cigarettes and can’t think it can be much harder than that. Murry Christmas!

Winnie Cooper

What can we expect for next summer?. Can we ask that already?.

Book #2 next June

Murr, you went to catholic school, what was the extent of your sex Ed/ abstinence training?!

Non-existent

Will you guys you, and Darren be doing more book reading all though awakened??

Yep - I'll be doing book readings / signings in every city that the Jokers are on tour!

Hi Murr! Just FYI, out of all the jokers, you're my favorite!

What's your favorite mythical creature?

Unicorn?

Do you think you will write more then awakened?. Like another book?.

Darren have 6 books planned. 3 of Awakened, 3 standalone horrors

To Murr: What inspired you to write a book? Were there any challenges involved that you didn't expect initially?

I wasn't prepared for the amount of research needed.

How did the haunted house/escape come about? Did you get assistance from prop people from Jokers that helped make it come to reality, or was it all new people?

I thought it would be super cool to actually experience the book visually. I did not use our prop people, I collaborated with Blood Manor.

After the episode where you lost and was left standing naked in the park, did you go online to find the pics people were taking with their cell phones?

Edit: I wanted to add that my wife and I love the show!

Not many people knew the show back then, so no nudies appeared

What made you write awakened?.

I wrote it on a dare

Are either of you working on any big projects right now besides the book?

We're developing 6 books and the accompanying tv series / movies based on these projects

Hi guys. Me and my friend love the book! We've even met up, just to talk about the book! When you started writing it, did you know who was going survive? I'm surprised anyone survived!

I didn't know the ending!

Will you guys be doing else together besides #Awakened?

We have six books planned.

Was there any doubt in your mind that this book may not publish even after signing with Harper Collins?

Once Harper Collins bought it, I was confident it would get published

Murr! My almost favourite of all the jokers! If my wife and I come visit NYC, can we stay with you to save money on a hotel?

Sure. I'll get the guest bedroom ready now

Hi Murr and Darren! I'm a huge fan of the show and an avid reader, so I can't wait to get a copy of the book! My question: do you feel like your persona on the show is honest to who you actually are? If not, what does IJ fail to show about you?

It is, but there's lots more to all of us

Murr, how can your voice change like that in the adiobook version?.

I'm not good with accents!

Murr- what's your favorite place to eat in the city?

Buddhakhan

what are your favorite novels that you think have not done well because they have been classified into a genre that they don't actually belong to? if you could get away with it, which incorrect genre would you want booksellers to place your novel in?

I love the novel MEG by Steve Alten

Do u have titles for the rest of the books?

Not yet, but I kinda like Awakened: Evolution and Awakened: Extinction

Hey Murr! I love the show and I am a huge fan! What was the hardest part of writing the novel?

The research needed!

Hello, James and Darren! Congratulations on the release of the book!

To both: how did your collaboration come about?

James: Thanks for the video for my son's birthday adventures! Will be giving it to him soon, along with the copy of the book, and tix to Cranjis! Do you plan on venturing out on your own as an author? Will you stick with sci-fi, or are you interested in other genres? Also, congrats on the opening of the IJ exhibit at the SI Museum!

I love thriller, sci-fi, and I may write a rom-com.

Are you guys going to be doing the book reading ever summer at the book store?

I would love to.

Yo murr, you’re a goofball. What’s your favorite movie?

Airplane and Naked Gun

Naked Gun or Airplane

I read Awakened and loved it. You’ve stated before that this was initially written many years ago. What did you have to change from the original to keep it timely?

I had to change flip phones to iphones!