Joe Rogan’s First Stand-Up Special in Six Years Set for Netflix Live

Netflix announced on Tuesday that Joe Rogan will be making his long-awaited return to stand-up comedy with a highly anticipated special titled “Burn the Boats.” Scheduled to premiere on the streaming platform in August, this live performance marks Rogan’s first stand-up special in six years. The 56-year-old comedian and podcast host will tape the special at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas. This event is significant as it represents Rogan’s third hour-long comedy special on Netflix. It places him alongside other prominent comedians who have participated in Netflix’s new series of live events, including Chris Rock and Katt Williams. Rogan’s forthcoming special follows his 2018 release, “Strange Times,” where he tackled a range of topics such as veganism, marijuana laws, and professional wrestling. Additionally, Rogan is known for his role as a UFC commentator, contributing to his extensive career in entertainment.

Accompanying the announcement, Netflix released a teaser clip that showcases Rogan’s trademark comedic style. In the video, Rogan engages directly with his audience, delivering lines such as, “Don’t get mad at me, you knew why you came here,” and, “Ooh, feel that? That’s some ride-home arguments in the air.” These remarks highlight his tendency to provoke and challenge his audience, setting the stage for what is expected to be a dynamic performance. “Joe Rogan: Burn the Boats” is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. EST on Saturday, August 3, marking a significant event for both Rogan and Netflix’s live comedy offerings.

Joe Rogan’s comedy career began in the 1980s, and he released his first special on CD in 2000. Following a successful six-year stint as the host of the popular game show “Fear Factor,” Rogan launched his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” in 2009. Since then, the podcast has grown to become one of Spotify’s most popular shows, with 14.5 million followers as of March. This substantial following puts Rogan’s podcast well ahead of its competitors, with nearly three times the followers of the runner-up, “Ted Talks Daily,” which has 5 million followers. In 2020, Spotify secured exclusive rights to “The Joe Rogan Experience” for a reported $200 million, further solidifying the podcast’s influence in the media landscape. Reports have indicated that the podcast averages around 11 million listeners per episode and is broadcast in 93 markets worldwide, underscoring its significant global reach.

Despite his success, Rogan’s career has not been without controversy. He has faced criticism for hosting conspiracy theorists and far-right figures on his podcast, including individuals like Milo Yiannopoulos and Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes. In 2022, Rogan came under fire for disseminating misinformation about COVID-19 and its vaccines. The situation worsened when a compilation video surfaced, showing Rogan using racial slurs multiple times. These controversies led to a significant backlash against him. In response, medical experts and scientists called on Spotify to address the spread of misinformation on the platform. High-profile artists like Joni Mitchell and Neil Young even removed their music from Spotify in protest, although Mitchell’s music has since been reinstated. Despite the outcry, Spotify stood by Rogan, arguing against “canceling voices” and committing to invest $100 million in audio content from historically marginalized groups. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Rogan had signed a new deal with Spotify valued at up to $250 million. Rogan’s political views have been diverse and sometimes contradictory; he supported Bernie Sanders in the 2020 election, praised Barack Obama as the “best president we have had in our lifetime,” and has advocated for abortion rights, universal healthcare, and universal basic income.

Critics have pointed out the challenges in holding Rogan accountable for his controversial content. Vox reporter Aja Romano noted that Rogan’s immense audience, financial resources, and media presence afford him significant influence while lacking real pressure to take responsibility for his frequent high-profile mistakes. Romano described Rogan as possessing the stature of a traditional media gatekeeper but with minimal accountability for his actions. As Rogan prepares for his new special, his presence remains a contentious topic in comedy and media circles, continuing to generate debate due to his provocative and often polarizing content.