Joe Rogan Plays an Unconvincing Fool

As a concerned citizen and long-time observer of the entertainment industry, I must say that Joe Rogan‘s recent stand-up special, “Burn the Boats,” leaves me feeling quite underwhelmed and disappointed. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve laughed my socks off at some of his antics in the past – who can forget the time he tried to eat a whole fish on stage? But this time around, it feels like we’re rehashing old jokes that have lost their charm and sparkle.


In Joe Rogan’s latest Netflix special, “Burn the Boats,” I find myself envisioning him as a global court jester, effortlessly stirring up conversations with a playful yet mischievous demeanor. He presents himself as an unapologetic humorist tackling today’s weighty matters with a casual, “Was that me?” attitude. It’s a clever strategy: If he’s correct about the issues he’s shouting about, bravo! Enjoyed the show. If he’s incorrect, you’re simply misguided for giving him your attention, and oh well – it was just humor! This carefree approach to public discourse may grate on some, but in the context of “Burn the Boats,” it results in a lackluster, draining, and uninspired hour of stand-up comedy.

“Rogan shares with his audience around the 50-minute mark that there’s a delicate layer separating us from our primitive selves. After revealing that a DNA test showed him having more Neanderthal genes than most people, he reflects on how we’re not far removed from cave dwellers in our thoughts. He explains these moments when you find yourself thinking things like, ‘I can’t believe I’m having this thought because I wouldn’t act on it,’ referring to irrational ideas that cross everyone’s mind, such as running over scooters in traffic or taking a police officer’s gun at Starbucks. He confesses, ‘I don’t understand why I was thinking that!’ after sharing a hypothetical scenario about men contemplating violence on their way to Mars. However, he admits that he’s had these thoughts and really wants to voice them openly.”

Joe Rogan is expressing a widespread human observation, offering an underlying reason behind the structure of society as we know it. According to him, our ancient, aggressive instincts still govern us, necessitating institutions like homeowners’ associations and tax payments to keep us from acting on our most primitive impulses. This perspective likely resonates with many of his listeners, but it primarily serves as a means for him to portray himself. In the book “Burn the Boats“, Rogan frequently delves into what he refers to as “rabbit holes”: subjects such as gender roles, political correctness, transgender individuals, conspiracy theories, evolution, and male versus female perspectives on homosexuality. However, he’s not driven by righteous anger or ideological fervor. Instead, he has a multitude of thoughts in his mind – a reflection of his personal musings, idiosyncrasies, and cultural taboos – that he feels compelled to share. He questions the validity of these thoughts, yet doesn’t seem to care either way. He doesn’t consider the potential consequences if millions listen to him and accept his views. As long as people laugh at his jokes and he receives maximum attention, he considers it a success. He can feign ignorance to avoid accountability, while also hinting at our collective foolishness for taking him seriously.

As a movie critic, I find myself in awe of Joe Rogan’s immense impact. The popularity of “The Joe Rogan Experience” surpasses many other podcasts, making it a go-to source for news and entertainment for his vast audience. However, the message of “Burn the Boats” is to remain laid-back about this influence. It’s tedious that he should need to be cautious with his words due to his enormous influence. His advice? “Don’t take my advice.” He admits that his quotes are often misconstrued, taken from moments when he was under the influence, and presented as if they were sober, considered thoughts. He advises against taking his advice on COVID-19, vaccines, or anything that might sound racially insensitive, assuring us he’s not racist. Yet, he questions whether it’s fair to blame him for followers seeking vaccine advice from him. “If you’re getting vaccine advice from me,” he muses, “is that really my fault?”

As a film enthusiast and someone who appreciates thoughtful discussions, I can’t help but notice Joe Rogan’s approach to certain topics in his shows. Unlike other subjects, he scarcely delves deep into his longstanding anti-vaccine views, often presenting them as jest or casual queries instead of absolute truths. However, he seems more at ease diving headfirst into debates about gender, sexuality, and transphobia. Despite his constant assertions that he’s all about acceptance and love, the majority of his content seems to be a tiresome display of discomfort disguised as curiosity.

Fans of Rogan’s comedy show “Burn the Boats” might think he’s the only one discussing these topics, but they may find the special repetitive and redundant. For those seeking more transphobic humor, there are other comedians who handle it with more flair and creativity; Dave Chappelle still delivers in this area, but not much else. The joke about Alex Jones being right about many things but wrong on one big issue is a structure mastered by comedians like Bill Burr, who excel in building up the audience’s political expectations before delivering a deflating punchline. For those seeking clever crowd interaction or a comedian defending the use of bad words, TikTok offers an abundance of clips, and Sam Jay impressively owns the hackneyed premise with her sincere delivery.

Rogan’s content in ‘Burn the Boats’ doesn’t stand out when compared to others doing it more effectively. What sets him apart is a passionate, intense delivery style and a stage presence that reflects his eagerness to express his thoughts forcefully. However, this approach lacks finesse in timing and pacing, and there are instances where the San Antonio audience appears ready to interrupt (such as when he claims Musk is intelligent and someone shouts “No!”). Towards the end, it seems like he’s rushing through his conclusion, much like a student who has reached their word limit on an essay, delivering a hastily written joke about his grandpa being horny and almost choking on the final punchline.

saying things that are unexpected, taking pride in their shock value, and enjoying the shared experience of surprise and mischief with the audience. Additionally, since Rogan is essentially a comedian who performs classic hits, there’s no need for polish when the goal is to create content that stirs controversy.

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2024-08-05 22:54