In the vast cosmos of comedy, Matt Rife stands out as a luminary, aged 28 and hailing from the heartlands of Ohio, USA. His ventures into the entertainment realm saw him not just participating but thriving on the high-energy stage of “Wild ‘n Out.” Sharing space with icons like Nick Cannon and Zendaya lent him a charismatic aura. A cameo on “Brooklyn 99” further cemented his burgeoning reputation.
Yet, it’s his digital dexterity that truly catapulted Rife into the stratosphere of social media. Viral clips from his stand-up performances showcased his unique talent for engaging banter with audiences, amassing an impressive following of over 25 million on TikTok and Instagram. His rise seemed unstoppable, until…
The Netflix Revelation: “Matt Rife: Natural Selection”
Enter “Matt Rife: Natural Selection,” the highly anticipated Netflix comedy special that hit screens like a comet on November 15th. Amidst the resounding applause from a section of his fanbase, a tempest brewed over a controversial joke that marked the show’s inception.
The ill-fated jest? Rife spun a yarn about encountering a waitress adorned with a black eye at a restaurant. His punchline? “Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn’t have that black eye.” In a bid to test the comedic waters, he added, “I figured we’d start the show with domestic violence; the rest should be smooth sailing.”
The Backlash Unleashed
However, the reverberations were nothing short of a tempest. Viewers unleashed a torrent of criticism, deeming Rife’s humor sexist and his treatment of the serious issue of domestic violence insensitive.
Rife’s Response: The Mock Apology That Backfired
Confronted by the wave of backlash, Rife’s response took a rather unconventional route. On November 20th, he took to his Instagram story, seemingly extending an olive branch—a purported apology. Yet, it was a sardonic gesture. “If you’ve ever been offended by a joke I’ve told, here’s a link to my official apology,” he posted, accompanied by a link reading, “Tap to solve the issue.”
What lay behind the link wasn’t a genuine expression of remorse but a redirect to a website selling special needs helmets. This move triggered further indignation, with accusations of ableism hurled at Rife.
