Last time I discussed this topic, I picked on leftist comedians quite a bit. This is understandable, as Hollywood has a decidedly left-lean. However, the liberals are not the only comedians who become political talking heads when they start bombing on stage. Hence, it’s only fair to shout out a few conservative-minded comics who become pundits (eww…pundits) when they can’t get the whole room hunched over in laughter.
Admittedly, it’s going to be a bit different this time. Left-wing comedians tend to retreat into the warm womb of an established studio’s satirical television show. Right-of-center comics, however, tend to run towards independent media and long-form podcasting. With that said, both of them are still pivots away from comedy and into rhetoric. No more dealing with hecklers or commanding a room for these schmucks.
Unlike the scripted lefties that I lambasted last time, these right-leaning comedians moving into punditry is such a waste. The long, non-dictated format of multi-hour podcasts lends itself well to those who can think on their feet and have thought about their discussion topic deeply. Whether it’s the money from ad revenue and subscribers, or the fixed mindset, one thing is clear; these comics not running for office is honestly a colossal waste of human capital. Doubly so in our cultural climate, given the landslide 2024 election results; the wind is at their backs if they choose to run. Yet, their asses remained parked in a podcast chair.
Andrew Schultz is an example of a failed right-leaning comedian. His heyday was not all that impressive; there, I said it. “But Dan, he got his own Netflix special!” one pitchfork wielder will say; yeah, so did Amy Schumer, your point? Besides, his one quassi-famous bit was the one regarding the female Vikings fan who disliked Donald Trump. Hardly Carlin’s NIMBY routine or Gabriel Iglesias’ Five Stages of Fat. Since then, Andrew Schultz has made the podcast and media tour exclusively discussing right-wing politics. Examples include the All In podcast, Megyn Kelly’s show, and Fox News.
Adam Carolla is an example of another failed comedian who retreated into the safe shores of political commentary. One of the oldest names on this right-of-center list, it can be argued that Carolla served as a trailblazer for the podcast pipeline of failed comedians. Carolla spills a lot of ink in his first two allegedly-humor books discussing his time spent working as a handyman and as an assistant for a late-night political satire show. He’s kind of sparse on his, you know, actual comedic career; gee, I wonder why? For those who disagree with me, I pose this challenge; what is Carolla’s signature comedic bit? Why do I hear crickets? The only joke is that Carolla still thinks of himself as a comedian instead of the right-wing provocateur that he is now.
Don’t worry, I’ll aim the barrel at my own party. Dave Smith is one of the leading cultural voices for Team Porcupine, which is fitting since many of you will need to Google who Dave Smith even is. The fact that most people have never heard of Dave Smith basically sums up his comedy career, but in the interest of research, I subjected myself to 90 minutes of his material. Suffice it to say that I watched it so you won’t have to; you’re welcome. However, that hasn’t stopped Dave Smith from regularly scoring lengthy interview segments with Reason.
Rob Schneider is a comedian that I was torn on. On the one hand, he’s absolutely renowned for his catchphrase of “You Can Do It”. He’s made some decently funny movies on his own, thus making him the most successful comedian I’ve ever discussed in this context. However, this subtitle is “where comedy careers go to die”, and his comedy career has definitely fizzled out. However, facing a dwindling career in laughter, Schneider has walked the well-worn path of political commentary, with lengthy appearances on the Tucker Carlson podcast and Turning Point USA
As much as I hate to say it, but Joe Rogan needs to be discussed as well. Joe Rogan has lived a quite accomplished life, and only a fool denies that. He’s reached the top of many fields; podcasting, martial arts, and game show hosting being among them. However, for all of his successes, comedy just isn’t one of them, and no amount of his reminiscing changes that. Admittedly, he has one famous bit of pussy in another dimension, though his biggest comedic contribution is ending Carlos Mencia’s career (a valued public service, for the record). Rogan’s podcast has developed a noticeable MAGA-bent in recent years, much to the dismay of the left
“It’s not the critic who counts”-Teddy Roosevelt.
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