Joe Rogan's comedy venue in Texas faced a surreal and vocal protest on New Year's Eve, with demonstrators labelling the influential podcaster a "diet Alex Jones". The event outside the Comedy Mothership in Austin has ignited fresh debate about Rogan's impact on the city's local comedy culture.
Unicorn-Clad Demonstrators Lampoon Podcast Giant
As the Comedy Mothership hosted its Best of the Year New Year's Showcase on Tuesday 31 December, a group of protesters gathered outside. The scene, captured in videos that spread rapidly on Reddit, featured participants in eye-catching inflatable costumes, including unicorns, dinosaurs, and cows. A performer impersonating Eric Cartman from South Park added to the carnivalesque atmosphere.
One demonstrator was seen holding two signs with pointed messages. The first read "never again is now", while the second directly targeted Rogan: "Rogan is diet Alex Jones". This comparison references the controversial far-right media figure and fellow Austin resident, suggesting Rogan promotes similar ideologies in a diluted form.
Local Resentment and Comedic Criticism
The protest has amplified existing tensions within Austin's comedy community. Critics argue that Rogan's high-profile presence, following his relocation from California in 2020, overshadows longstanding local venues and performers. The video of the protest garnered over 100 comments quickly, with one viewer quipping it was "Funnier than anything inside the building".
Online discussions revealed a split in local opinion. "I hate that these a**holes from out of state, (Rogan) moved in and claim the entirety of the Austin comedy scene. The dude owns one comedy venue not all of them," one person complained. Another response championed established spots like Coldtowne Theater and the Capitol City Comedy Club, urging Austin to stay funny "without diet Alex Jones".
Veteran Comedians Condemn 'Real Harm'
The protest aligns with criticism from within the comedy industry itself. Veteran stand-up Marc Maron launched a broadside against Rogan and other Austin-based acts during an August episode of the Bad Friends podcast. Maron accused them of promoting transphobia and racism, arguing their material contributes to tangible harm against marginalised groups.
"Whatever they represented, in terms of policy, it's like, they won," Maron stated. "Trans people are frightened. They have no ability to get health care anymore... When do you stop with the jokes? Like immigrants, they're being ripped away from their homes, and they're all terrified." Rogan, who also moved his massively popular podcast production to Texas, has owned the Comedy Mothership since 2023. The Independent has contacted the venue for comment on the protests and the wider criticisms.
