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| Credit: Matt Rife/Instagram |
Comedian Matt Rife, known for his humor on platforms like TikTok and appearances on popular shows such as "Wild N'Out" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," is facing backlash following a controversial joke about domestic violence in his recent Netflix special, "Matt Rife: Natural Selection."
The Controversial Joke
In his special, Rife delves into sensitive territory with a joke about a female server at a restaurant sporting a black eye. The punchline involves a suggestion to move her to the kitchen, sparking a heated response from some viewers.
"My boy who I was with was like: 'Yeah, I feel bad for her, man. I feel like they should put her in the kitchen or something where nobody has to see her face, ya know?' And I was like, 'Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn't have that black eye,'" Rife quips.
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| Credit: Matt Rife/Instagram |
Anticipating Criticism
Aware of the potential backlash, Rife attempts to diffuse the tension by stating, "I figure if we start the show with domestic violence, the rest of the show should be smooth sailing."
Social Media Fallout
Following the circulation of a clip of the controversial joke on social media, criticism ensued, prompting Rife to address the situation on his Instagram Stories. His response included a unique attempt at humor, directing offended individuals to a link for helmets designed to protect against head trauma for those with special needs.
"If you've ever been offended by a joke I've told, here's a link to my official apology. Tap to solve the issue," he posted.
Mixed Reactions
While some supporters defended Rife's comedic approach, others expressed disappointment. This is not the first time Rife has faced controversy, having received criticism for offensive tweets in both 2016 and 2020.
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| Credit: Matt Rife/Instagram |
Standing Firm
Despite the criticism, Rife remains unapologetic, with his Instagram account showcasing both defenders of his comedy and those urging him not to back down.
Promoting Free Comedy
In an interesting turn, Rife took to Instagram on Wednesday to inform his followers about two comedy specials available for free streaming on YouTube, perhaps an attempt to shift the focus away from the recent controversy.
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