Imagine having a Joe Rogan bingo card for his live Netflix special, “Burn the Boats.” The card features all the usual topics from his podcasts—alien probes, Fear Factor, COVID vaccines, trans people, gay people, UFC, Fox News, Alex Jones, China, Elon Musk, offensive slurs, and debates about cancel culture.
Watching “Burn the Boats,” it was easy to predict sensational headlines like “Joe Rogan Slams COVID Vaccines, Trans People.” Rogan indeed provided plenty of controversial soundbites, but the special was surprisingly tame. Each time Rogan touched on a sensitive topic, he quickly retreated, avoiding any lasting damage.
For instance, on COVID vaccines, Rogan questioned their safety but also backtracked, acknowledging he might have spread misinformation. “If you’re getting your vaccine advice from me, is that really my fault?” he asked. “I’m a professional shit-talker. Some things I say make sense, a lot don’t. It’s up to you to figure out what’s what.”
Rogan’s stand-up was filled with his typical provocative humor. He compared his fear of gay men to his fear of mountain lions—claiming to love both. He flip-flopped on evolution, professing belief and skepticism in the same breath. He defended trans rights but argued for bathroom standards.
Rogan’s strategy was simple: “If you want equal love, you have to have equal jokes,” he said. When jokes fell flat, he dismissed critics as too serious. The San Antonio crowd loved it, cheering no matter which side of an issue Rogan took.
At times, Rogan seemed out of touch, particularly when discussing his supposed cancellations during COVID. Like fellow comedians Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais, he conflated criticism with being canceled.
Despite his controversial remarks, Rogan remains successful. Spotify paid him $250 million, UFC still employs him, and Netflix gave him one of its first live comedy specials. Rogan enjoys the financial rewards while dodging accountability, reminding everyone he’s just a “professional shit-talker.”
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