Joe Rogan: Burn the Boats

In a recent interview Joe Rogan was asked the fairly typical and predictable entertainment industry question, what inspired you to make this new special? Joe's response was.anything but typical but to anyone who has listened to Joe's view on his own comedy, it was predictable.

Joe went on to complain about the lack of real comedy in today's PC world, the lack of comics who are brave enough to stand up to Cancel Culture, Joe also lamented that if freedom of speech was to be saved the silent majority needed a voice, a strong voice to stand up against...them. Joe then said that he sees himself as the new Bill Hicks!

Big shoes to fill.

After watching Rogans new special i can honestly and confidently say that Joe is not the "new Bill Hicks". Joe is in fact the opposite of Bill, in every way possible. Without going into a detailed review of Burn The Boats it would serve you well to know, if you enjoy anything about BH, you will not enjoy Burn The Boats or Joe Rogan.

Joe Rogan is not a comic.

What a let down. I don't think Joe Rogan is an actual stand up comedian (anynmore? Was he ever any good?) as the entire 'special' was unfunny. I was awaiting this special since announcement as I thought it would at least deliver some good laughs. In sum: It didin't.

The material seemed recycled, lacking fresh perspectives or originality. Overall, it didn't deliver the laughs expected from Rogan. Fans might find a few moments to enjoy, but it's not his best work. This 'special' felt more like Joe Rogan going through the motions rather than actually delivering am emergetic and funny comedy special.

The title should be 'Burn the Bridges' as I doubt he'll be making any more stand-up specials anytime soon after this bomb.

I've enjoyed past Rogan specials, as well as seeing him live at Massey Hall and other venues in Toronto. You expect a certain amount of meathead nonsense and conspiracy talk which may or may not be genuine. But the thing I've always found grating has now become a constant in this show: yelling everything as though he doesn't have a microphone. I know that's how the show is going to start, along with the cheap pandering to San Antonio but it just never lets up and it becomes draining. And the ratio of actual laughs to applause breaks - excluding the times he solicits it by referencing his move to Texas, Fear Factor, the podcast, is not going in the right direction.

I realize that not giving a glowing review if this will result in the usual nonsense of having labels hurled but I'm not even American, so save it.

There are some funny bits but overall, it's just a lot of energy to try and sell the bits as being funnier than they are.

I like Joe Rogan's podcast. He often gets very interesting guests, seems genuinely interested in them, asks interesting questions and let's them talk at length. He's perhaps a bit 'conspiracy theory'-heavy for my taste but whatever - I enjoy his podcasts. So, I also wanted to enjoy this show and I'm not here as part of a "review bomb."

In short, Joe Rogan just isn't funny. He doesn't have "funny bones" or natural wit and he can't improvise. If a joke tanks (and many do in this show) he can't pivot to a fallback as even very-average comics learn to do. If he does come out with a smart gag, he will kill it with his delivery. He has weapons-grade confidence, but that won't save any set he does.

He's got a huge following but so did Dane Cook. There's a phenomenon where unfunny people can, by sheer force of will, generate a following. As someone who admires Rogan for his thoughtful, insightful podcasts, he really, really needs to stop doing stand-up.

What seems obvious to me is that Joe doesn't have any real friends left in his circle and is surrounded instead by sycophants who are too afraid to tell him that his jokes just aren't funny. I guess it doesn't help that he's mega rich and has a ton of influence in the scene.

The special was bottom of the barrel material that is dated, out of touch, and repetitive. The constant yelling, the bulging eyes, and other overexaggerated facial expressions certainly didn't help make his jokes any funnier.

Also, if you watch some of the reviews on YouTube, you'll find that he actually stole a couple of jokes and even reused a few from some of his older specials.

I don't think anyone can doubt that he's a great podcaster and MMA announcer, but comedy just isn't his thing. If he didn't constantly go on and on about him 'honing his craft and making his jokes fat-free and tight' or constantly mentioning himself among the greats like Louis, Burr, Chappelle, etc., I'd spare him this 1 star review, but the guy obviously thinks very highly of himself. He is clearly delusional about his comedy.

If you want a good laugh, look up Nick Mullen's free special on YouTube.