Comedian Matt Rife Faces Backlash Over Controversial Domestic Violence Joke in Netflix Special
Popular TikTok comedian Matt Rife, known for his viral stand-up sets, is under fire for a joke about domestic violence featured in his latest Netflix special, “Natural Selection.” The controversy surrounds a joke in which Rife and a friend encounter a hostess with a black eye at a restaurant, and the punchline suggests that if she could cook, she wouldn’t have a black eye. The backlash has been swift, with critics accusing Rife of “punching down” and making light of a sensitive issue at the expense of victims.
Rife, whose TikTok fame soared with over 18 million followers, primarily focuses on topics like sex, dating, and relationships in his comedy routines. However, this recent controversy has led to a significant negative response from fans, particularly women, who feel that the joke crosses a line and alienates a large portion of his audience.
In response to the criticism, TikTokers and online creators, many of whom focus on combating misogynistic content, have called out Rife for his choice of material. Some argue that the comedian’s attempt at humor targets a marginalized community and victims, rather than taking a more socially responsible approach by “punching up” at those with more power.
Drew Afualo, a TikToker known for addressing misogynistic content, created two videos breaking down why she found Rife’s joke unfunny and addressing the backlash. She emphasized that quality jokes require intellect and wit, but Rife’s punchline seemed to rely on a lower level of humor that involves making light of violence against women.
Rife attempted to address the controversy on November 20 by posting an “apology” on his Instagram story. However, the apology included a link redirecting users to a website for “special needs helmets,” sparking additional backlash and accusations of ableism. As of now, Rife’s representative has not responded to requests for comment.
This is not the first time Rife has faced controversy. Earlier in the year, he was involved in a ticket pricing scandal related to his “ProbleMATTic” tour. Fans criticized the comedian for a presale code that allegedly increased ticket demand on Ticketmaster, resulting in higher prices and difficulties obtaining tickets. The incident led to discussions on social media platforms, with some comparing it to the challenges of securing tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which notably caused Ticketmaster to crash.