UFC commentator and comedian Joe Rogan returned to the stand-up comedy world after a six-year hiatus, releasing the Netflix special “Burn the Boats”. While Rogan showcased his comedic talents, some viewers noticed striking similarities between his jokes and those of his friend, former UFC fighter, and fellow comedian Brendan Schaub, as seen in the Netflix show. A Reddit user created a side-by-side video comparing jokes from comedians and it drew a lot of flak for the legendary UFC commentator.

An example in the Reddit post highlighted the striking resemblance between Rogan’s line: “ I am the opposite. I wish I was gay; it looks way easier. You are hanging out with only guys, no one can get pregnant…” and Schaub’s similar joke from his “Gringo Papi” show, ” My life would be so much easier if I was just gay as sh*t. If I was locked down with the bros during quarantine with the homies, you know how much fun we would have?…” This comparison has sparked the debate about the originality of Rogan’s material.

Joe Rogan and Brendan Schaub have a long-standing friendship, evident in their frequent appearances together on the ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast. They participated in the podcast with other friends, including Brian Simpson, where they watched and analyzed the UFC Saudi Arabia event headlined by Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov.

Rogan, who has also identified as a comedian, faced criticism from the fans since announcing his Netflix special, “Burn the Boats.” This backlash intensified and divided fans following the special’s release because of allegations of material theft from Brendan Schaub.

Joe Rogan’s comedy divides fans

In the comments, most fans heavily criticized Joe Rogan for using Brendan Schaub’s ideas from his 2022 TV special, “The Gringo Papi,” written by Schaub and produced by Thicc Boy Studios. Fans are claiming that they prefer Schaub’s version, with one commenter stating, “Schaub’s version is legit funnier than Joe’s terrible Kinison impression.” Another fan suggested that Brendan Schaub should take legal action for intellectual theft, commenting, “Schaub should confront Joe on stealing jokes.”

However, some fans defended Joe Rogan, claiming that the joke used by both Schaub and Rogan is much older and has been used by many comedians before. One fan commented, “Yeah man plenty of comedians find similar things funny, especially dudes who share values.” Another fan echoed this sentiment, stating, “Dude… that joke is old AF. It’s been told by many different comedians/ordinary dudes.”

Another social media user recalled the joke’s popularity in 2020, and said, “This joke was being passed around in Reddit comments by February of 2020.” Later in the comments, a fan questioned Joe Rogan’s claim of inspiration, stating, “I highly doubt that Joe listens to stand up outside of his circle. Too scared of being offended these days.” Following the emotional appreciation for Brendan Schaub, a fan commented, “Worst part? Brenden’s bit was actually funnier. Oh no…”

What are your thoughts on Joe Rogan’s Netflix comedy special, “Burn the Boats”? Were you satisfied with Rogan’s comedic skills, or do you think he should stick to podcasting and commentary? Comment your thoughts below.