Well known podcaster, MMA commentator, and comedian Joe Rogan recently had a special released on Netflix. The special is called “Burn The Boats” and seems to have been unremarkable with lukewarm reception. There hasn’t really been that much strong praise or criticism for the special itself. However, following the special Rogan has been the subject of criticism.
Joe Rogan Receives Criticism From Youtuber
The Youtuber The Elephant Graveyard has accused Rogan of stealing jokes in his video ‘”Burn The Boats” is a Funeral for Joe Rogan’s Comedy Career’. The Elephant Graveyard makes content related to “Comedy, podcasts, culture, music; whatever it is, we’re taking a look at the internet’s most intriguing digital content offerings, and the fools that create it.”. His latest video focused on Joe Rogan and his new special.
The video is a comedic tone and is pretty funny. The opening 7 minutes purposely exaggerate Rogan’s ability as a comedian and sum up his recent history. It’s also the start of the video poking fun at Rogan such as him saying blatantly wrong things. On example used is Rogan claiming there’s really only 250 comedians in the world an absurd statement.
Following this the video actually gets to commentating on the special. Elephant makes jokes about Rogan’s shouty style of comedy being the result of his gig as a UFC commentator. The video jokes about the contents of the special such as weed and aliens being hallmarks of Joe’s comedy. the first proper criticism is levelled at a bad analogy Joe makes in relation to aliens landing on the white house and people going fishing.
Elephant also comments how Rogan’s jokes appear to be based off a distorted view of the world. This being through social media where Joe follows various accounts to vicariously experience things. And that Joe hasn’t really experienced some of the things he uses as material. Elephant makes a comparison to Plato’s cave and how social media is Joe’s cave.
Rogan Bombing, Accusations of Repeating Jokes, and Plagiarism
The 18 minute mark makes the first mention of repetition. Elephant states how now some of the jokes are bombing so Rogan falls onto old material from his 2009 special. He plays the original joke then the joke from the current special almost word for word the same. Elephant has also been tracking the progress of Rogan’s sweat stain and how Rogan doesn’t appear that engaged.
The video again points out Rogan bombing when he starts to do some trans related material. One particular punchline was met with so much silence Rogan followed up by saying “just jokes folks”. Elephant poked fun at Rogan advertising his new comedy club. The video also points out Joe being hypocritical regarding China’s involvement of making phones in the U.S as Rogan’s Spotify deal was partly financed by the CCP.
23 minutes in Elephant jokingly suggests Rogan is copying Brendan Schaub in relation to doing a Chinese accent during a set. Then an actual accusation arrives in relation to Rogan doing a bit about how great life would be to be a gay guy. This is then compared to a similar bit Bredan Schaub did with very similair wording. Elephant also criticises a section of the set where Rogan goes on about how his advice shouldn’t be taken seriously.
The video also calls out Joe for lying in relation to contexts of him using the n-word. And again plagiarism comes up when Rogan makes a similar joke to Bill Burr earlier in his career.
Summary
After 28 minutes the video stops commentating on the special and Elephant summarises his thoughts. He quotes a line from the special “I hate dumb people who are overconfident”. Essentially the video continues to criticise Joe and question why despite his lack of comedic talent that he gets to gatekeep. and just like the opening the closing of the video over exaggerates the impact of Rogan special for comedic effect. Elephant also hoped Joe retires from comedy and rated the special 1/5.
So, essentially the video as the title suggested was a critique of the special. And it seems to be supported by general ratings and word of mouth. Give the special a watch if you want and the video critiquing it. Let us know your thoughts on Rogan’s special and the criticism directed at it.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
