Comedian Clash: Andrew Schulz Responds to Marc Maron's Saudi Show Criticism
The comedy world is buzzing with a fresh feud! Andrew Schulz, host of the "Flagrant" podcast, recently fired back at fellow comedian Marc Maron following Maron's criticism of American comedians performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Maron had publicly questioned the ethics of taking money from a country he associated with the 9/11 attacks.
Schulz didn't hold back on his podcast, claiming Maron "ain't s--t" and accusing him of hypocrisy. He also alluded to a broader divide within the comedy scene, referencing the ongoing debate surrounding "anti-woke" comedians and their freedom to push boundaries in their acts. This whole situation brings up interesting questions about freedom of speech, the responsibility of comedians, and the complexities of performing in countries with controversial human rights records.
The heart of Schulz's defense seems to be that Maron is unfairly singling out comedians like himself, who have even hosted figures like Donald Trump on their podcasts. Schulz argues that Maron is more concerned with self-promotion and maintaining a specific image within the comedy world than with genuine ethical concerns. "Maron don’t care about nobody but himself. And anybody inside comedy knows this," Schulz stated on his podcast. Ouch!
Maron's initial criticism extended beyond Schulz, targeting what he sees as a trend of "anti-woke" comedians "humanizing fascism" by inviting Trump onto their platforms. He’s expressed concern about these platforms "facilitating anti-American sentiment and promoting violent autocracy." He even admitted regretting popularizing the podcast format, fearing its potential for "dubious means, propaganda, and pure evil."
This isn't the first time Maron has voiced his concerns about the direction of comedy and podcasting. He's been increasingly critical of what he perceives as the normalization of harmful rhetoric and the lack of accountability among some comedians. The conversation also circles back to earlier criticisms, where Maron called out comedians performing in Saudi Arabia, specifically mentioning the country’s alleged involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It's a tough line to walk, balancing artistic expression with ethical considerations.
The debate has now expanded beyond just Schulz and Maron, with other comedians like Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe weighing in. Rogan suggested that Maron's criticism stems from jealousy, while Hinchcliffe called Maron "mentally-ill" for labeling them as Nazis. This back-and-forth highlights the deep divisions within the comedy community and the passionate feelings surrounding these issues.
What do you think? Is it okay for comedians to perform in countries with questionable human rights records? Where do you draw the line between free speech and ethical responsibility? This comedy feud brings up important discussions about the role of comedy and comedians in today's world. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!