Tanka Sahari's Secret Life

Warning, the following program contains scenes of graphic stupidity among four lifelong friends who compete to embarrass each other- the intro we all know and love, Impractical Jokers has been a world-wide favorite since December 15, 2011. The show consists of four men, James Murray, Brian Quinn, Joe Gatto, and Sal Vulcano, born and raised in Staten Island, who have carried a friendship for over 30 years. Playing pranks and doing dares on strangers they come across, anything could happen. Randomly being approached on the street and asked to sign a waiver or having a chicken tender thrown at you, the four boys made sure to get a laugh out for those at home-and maybe even for themselves. Two of the boys go by a different nickname, James being known as Murr, Brian being known as Q, and what has recently become a famous nickname, Sal being known as Tanka Jahari. As open as Tanka Jahari may seem on screen, recent fans have discovered a truth which has been swept under the rug for quite some time.

Sal Vulcano was born November 6, 1976. This germophobic TV star never fails to make those at home laugh whether it be by his most irrational fears, or reactions to what goes on while filming. His lack of affection on the show portrays a picture of how he acts behind cameras, right? Wrong. Sal Vulcano, along with co-host Chris Distefano, run a podcast called Two Cool Moms. Despite the relatively comedic factors that this podcast provides, curtains opened when Sal Vulcano stated that he has a daughter and has been married for quite some time. Sal Vulcano commented during his podcast, “I never really talk about it at all, but people know I’ve been with my lady for a very long time…I’m so, so private. Privacy is like the last thing I have, you know. Once I give it away, I can’t get it back and it’s just weird because I’ve spent a decade on television as myself.” This took fans by surprise. How could a man who had no boundaries on television manage to keep a secret for so long? The truth is, Vulcano stated he would like to speak publicly about his life, but on his “own terms.” It is a balance on controlling yourself in front of millions of people while also providing and supporting a family you love more than anything else. Vulcano melted whilst speaking about his daughter, claiming that there aren’t any words to describe his introduction to fatherhood. Vulcano stated, “Imagine having a new feeling after 45 years…I don’t need to access [happiness]. If I hear her voice, if she walks in, if I look at a photo of her right now, something happens to my body,” while tearing up. It’s safe to say despite being an open book to the media world, everyone has their own sacred privacy dear to their heart.

As big of a fan that some people may be, it is crucial to respect Sal’s decision about his private life, limiting the pressure on him to reveal what goes on behind the screen. Regardless of his at home life, Tanka Jahari shall continue to be a comedic source for those in need of a good laugh.