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Joe Gorga will not be performing a comedy set with host Frank Catania and guest Jaclyn Marfuggi at Brad Garrett‘s comedy club in Las Vegas this weekend.
Although the Real Housewives of New Jersey star had been promoting the event on social media in recent days, the Everybody Loves Raymond alum shockingly called him out in an Instagram post on Tuesday, leading Joe to realize that the entire show was a scam — and that no event was scheduled to take place.
“It was coming from a fake Brad Garrett. Joe’s attorney was scammed. They even had signed contracts in place,” a rep for Joe explained to Deadline on October 31. “[Joe] is very disappointed as he was looking forward to performing.”
The rep went on to say that “everyone who purchased tickets will be receiving their money back” and “Joe will not be doing a show in Las Vegas.”
As RHONJ fans may have seen, Brad called out Joe and Jaclyn in an Instagram post, telling them that neither of them was coming to his comedy club at the MGM Grand District this weekend.
“ALERT!! This is NOT AN ACTUAL Show at my club and people are being scammed to buy tickets via a fake link,” Brad said in his post, as seen in a screenshot from Queens of Bravo on Instagram. “So [Joe Gorga], [Jaclyn Marfuggi] wtf?! No one knows who you folks are in the comedy world nor are you working at my club. Remove these ads immediately. Geez. And [Catch New Jersey] has nothing to do with this as well.”
A short time later, Brad returned to his Instagram page and revised the caption to read, “So [Catch New Jersey] not sure how you put this show together but it wasn’t from us. I am not on Facebook. Or X. The Facebook BG or BGCC is an impostor collecting ticket funds for a non-existent show.”
He also responded, per All About the Real Housewives on Instagram, to a fan.
“I think he thinks he’s booked your club because he’ll be in Vegas for BravoCon. Do you have any BravoCon events going on at the club?” they asked.
“Nope,” Brad confirmed.
According to Brad’s comedy club website, he will be hosting headliner Karen Rontowski and guest Joe Praino from November 3 to 5. And according to Joe’s comedy show website, he doesn’t have any scheduled events coming up.
That said, Joe’s Instagram did have a link that claims “tickets for this event are in high demand” and directs users to Brad’s comedy club website, where tickets are selling for $150 each.
Following the reveal of the scam, Jaclyn took to her Instagram Story to react to the news.
“What’s BravoCon without a little drama? … But for real, this is a bummer,” she wrote in a lengthy post. “It turns out a Facebook scammer duped the booker and the 11/5 show was never scheduled with the venue … Unfortunately, I was also scammed. I was booked and told where the show would be held (standard for a comic who says yes to a booking). I didn’t book the venue, make the flier, or set up the ticket link … I’m so very sorry to anyone who paid money for tickets. I sincerely hope everyone who bought tickets gets their money back as soon as possible … I was so looking forward to performing, meeting all of you, and sharing some laughs. I’m sorry that isn’t possible with this show, but I hope to meet you at BravoCon [this] weekend.”
Meanwhile on his own social media page, along with Frank, Joe Benigno, and Melissa Gorga, Joe reacted to the scam.
“We’re here practicing for Magic Mike and we just got the news: So someone reached out from Brad Garrett’s comedy club to my manager,” Joe recalled.
“We thought,” Frank noted.
“It’s a complete scam,” Joe continued. “There was a ticket link. People bought tickets. Don’t worry. Your money’s gonna get returned.”
Although Melissa only made a brief appearance in the clip, she expressed disbelief, asking in the background, “So there was nobody from Brad Garrett’s comedy club?”
“I got scammed. [Frank] was going to be my host,” Joe replied as Frank confirmed he was “practicing.”
“But listen, it is what it is. Nobody got hurt. Don’t worry. I’ll see you at BravoCon. Make sure you come to Magic Mike,” Joe concluded.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 14 is expected to premiere on Bravo sometime in early 2024.
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