Comedian Andrew Santino has revealed a behind-the-scenes battle with Disney over jokes targeting 'Disney adults' in his new Hulu special, White Noise. The special, which premieres on 12 September, features a segment that pokes fun at adults who are enthusiastic fans of Disney without children. Santino said Disney executives demanded changes to the jokes, leading to what he described as a 'war' over creative control.
In an interview, Santino explained that Disney 'definitely changed the jokes' from his original material, which he felt was funnier and more biting. He said the company threatened to pull the special if the jokes were not altered. 'They did not want those jokes in there. My argument was: I joke about a lot of other stuff in the special that’s controversial. I don’t think joking about people who like Disney as grown-ups is a controversial take, but they disagreed,' Santino said.
The comedian noted that this was the first time he had faced such restrictions while making a special. He said he and Disney eventually reached a compromise, but he was not entirely satisfied. 'This is compromise in the modern world of media,' he remarked. Santino also contrasted the experience with the freedom of podcasting, which he said allows comedians to be 'unfiltered' and avoid traditional media constraints.
Santino’s special was filmed at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis, a city he praised for its comedy scene and diverse audience. He said he aimed to create a relaxed atmosphere where audiences could laugh at taboo subjects without feeling attacked. 'I just want it to be comedy fans who are ready to let loose and disappear in the room with me,' he said.
