As soon as word spread about Matt Rife’s Netflix comedy special, the countdown was on! I’ve been a fan since his WildnOut days, following his rise with those viral crowdwork clips and now, his special on Netflix. Lately, he’s been all over the media talking about how his audience skews female, thanks probably because of the fact that he’s gotten progressively more attractive in recent years. But surprise! At his shows, it’s the guys who vibe more with his comedy, and apparently, that’s what he wants.
Now, about this whole drama around his joke on domestic violence—it’s like reigniting the whole cancel culture debate! His joke was edgy and yeah, might have ruffled feathers, but come on, comedy’s been known to tiptoe on the line of controversy. We’ve always given comedians some leeway for freedom of speech, right? Apparently not.
So, here’s the deal. After watching him for a while, Matt Rife’s comedy targets dudes, especially the younger crowd. He’s got that vibe, like the kind of guy who’d throw in a “deez nutz” joke, you feel me? Do I think he’s funny all the time? Of course not. But a majority of the time, I enjoy his humor because I know what I’m getting when I tune in to his stuff. Also, I’m a comedy fan. A majority of my thoughts are dark humor. I love it so this joke in particular hit for me (no pun intended).
It seems like he was trying to get rid of the people who were there just because he’s hot. Based on all the interviews I’ve seen where he talks about how women are trying to grab his junk at meet-and-greets, I think he’s fed up. So opening with this joke was like putting out a feeler, ya know? Like ok if you are a true comedy fan you’ll stay after this. Doesn’t mean you think it’s funny but at least you can stomach a joke.
And if this is the worst you’ve ever seen then I feel bad for you. Jokes like this have been made on shows like Southpark for years. It’s literally the same thing so I am so confused why America (TikTok in particular) is being so soft right now. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it but we shouldn’t cancel him, that’s all I’m saying.
The backlash against him highlights the growing trend of holding comedians accountable for jokes that may offend or touch on sensitive subjects. However, comedy has long been a platform where taboos are broached, societal issues are dissected, and perspectives are challenged. The essence of comedy often stems from pushing boundaries and poking at uncomfortable truths.
Critics argue that while jokes about sensitive topics might spark discomfort, they serve as a mirror to societal norms and encourage dialogue. However, the swift condemnation of Matt Rife without contextual understanding or recognition of the comedic context might set a precedent that endangers the freedom of expression fundamental to comedy.
I agree, that we need to hold people accountable for harmful actions or words but the cancelation of comedians for jokes risks stifling creative expression and impeding the open discourse essential for societal growth. It raises concerns about the erosion of the freedom to express controversial or challenging viewpoints within comedic spaces.
Ultimately, when it comes to sensitive topics in comedy, it’s important to consider the context, intentions, and effects of jokes while respecting free speech. Rather than swiftly canceling comedians, perhaps what’s needed is a better understanding of comedic expression. This understanding could pave the way for more nuanced discussions about comedy’s limits, responsibility, and the importance of preserving free speech.
P.S. his “apology” was pure comedy. Reminds me of Candance Owens’s life’s tough. Get a helmet line.