Jo Koy Brings Laughs to U.S. Troops Overseas — and Gets a Painfully Hilarious Surprise (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jo Koy (left).Photo:Airman 1st Class Cayla Hunt

Airman 1st Class Cayla Hunt

Jo Koyhas played to packed arenas around the world, but nothing quite prepared him for the energy of performing for U.S. troops overseas.“There’s an added excitement,” Koy tells PEOPLE. “There’s a sense of joy that there’s somebody here to witness what they do. It’s a sense of pride, and you can feel it.“The comedian, 53, recently returned from aUSOtour. In late January and early February, he visited Yokota Air Base and Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan as well as Naval Base Guam and the massive USS Shoup battleship.The experience was deeply personal for Koy, who grew up on bases, with his father and stepfather both service members. On his USO tour, Koy brought along his 21-year-old son, Joseph.“He’s only heard the stories,” Koy says. “He never got to fully take it in, and he was sad when we were leaving. But I told him, ‘We’ll be back.’”Jo Koy on his USO tour.Airman 1st Class Cayla HuntThe trip took place in the middle of the comedian’s “Just Being Koy” tour. While overseas, Koy got a taste of military life in an unexpected — and painfully hilarious — way.At one point, Koy and his team were given a rare opportunity to see what military security forces go through. The security team, which regularly undergoes stun-gun training, invited anyone brave enough to volunteer to be tased.Koy jumped at the chance — and then the electricity hit.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“That was the worst decision I’ve ever made,” he says, laughing. “But at least my son got to watch his dad step up to the plate — and strike out! I was screaming the whole time.”Koy’s son, on the other hand, wisely chose to sit out the stun-gun experience.Jo Koy on his USO tour.Navy MC3 Quinton LeeFor Koy, the trip wasn’t just about cracking jokes — it was about giving back and remembering his own childhood.“First thing I said was, ‘I lived on base. I know what this is like,’” he shares, adding that he made sure to spend big at the base commissaries on gear and memorabilia, knowing that every dollar spent goes back into military programs like youth sports and community services.Koy grew up watching Bob Hope’s legendary USO specials, where the comedian would entertain troops from aircraft carriers and battle zones.Jo Koy and service members aboard the USS Shoup.Navy MC3 Quinton Lee“I remember watching how the military would react,” Koy says. “‘Here’s Bob Hope on top of an aircraft carrier performing!’ And now here I am on top of the USS Shoup. It was a huge moment, a huge honor.”The importance of the tour wasn’t lost on him. Meeting service members — many just 18 or 19 years old — opened his eyes to the sacrifices they make.“We take them for granted,” he says. “It’s easy to say, ‘Support the troops,’ but until you go on the base, you don’t get it. Everything is the bare minimum, and we have the luxury of everything. And it’s because of them.”

Jo Koyhas played to packed arenas around the world, but nothing quite prepared him for the energy of performing for U.S. troops overseas.

“There’s an added excitement,” Koy tells PEOPLE. “There’s a sense of joy that there’s somebody here to witness what they do. It’s a sense of pride, and you can feel it.”

The comedian, 53, recently returned from aUSOtour. In late January and early February, he visited Yokota Air Base and Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan as well as Naval Base Guam and the massive USS Shoup battleship.

The experience was deeply personal for Koy, who grew up on bases, with his father and stepfather both service members. On his USO tour, Koy brought along his 21-year-old son, Joseph.

“He’s only heard the stories,” Koy says. “He never got to fully take it in, and he was sad when we were leaving. But I told him, ‘We’ll be back.’”

Jo Koy on his USO tour.Airman 1st Class Cayla Hunt

The trip took place in the middle of the comedian’s “Just Being Koy” tour. While overseas, Koy got a taste of military life in an unexpected — and painfully hilarious — way.

At one point, Koy and his team were given a rare opportunity to see what military security forces go through. The security team, which regularly undergoes stun-gun training, invited anyone brave enough to volunteer to be tased.

Koy jumped at the chance — and then the electricity hit.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“That was the worst decision I’ve ever made,” he says, laughing. “But at least my son got to watch his dad step up to the plate — and strike out! I was screaming the whole time.”

Koy’s son, on the other hand, wisely chose to sit out the stun-gun experience.

Jo Koy on his USO tour.Navy MC3 Quinton Lee

Navy MC3 Quinton Lee

For Koy, the trip wasn’t just about cracking jokes — it was about giving back and remembering his own childhood.

“First thing I said was, ‘I lived on base. I know what this is like,’” he shares, adding that he made sure to spend big at the base commissaries on gear and memorabilia, knowing that every dollar spent goes back into military programs like youth sports and community services.

Koy grew up watching Bob Hope’s legendary USO specials, where the comedian would entertain troops from aircraft carriers and battle zones.

Jo Koy and service members aboard the USS Shoup.Navy MC3 Quinton Lee

“I remember watching how the military would react,” Koy says. “‘Here’s Bob Hope on top of an aircraft carrier performing!’ And now here I am on top of the USS Shoup. It was a huge moment, a huge honor.”

The importance of the tour wasn’t lost on him. Meeting service members — many just 18 or 19 years old — opened his eyes to the sacrifices they make.

“We take them for granted,” he says. “It’s easy to say, ‘Support the troops,’ but until you go on the base, you don’t get it. Everything is the bare minimum, and we have the luxury of everything. And it’s because of them.”

source: people.com