Comedian Ari Shaffir recently appeared on the podcast Drawn Together, where he talked about a variety of topics, including Joe Rogan‘s influence on the comedy industry and whether being associated with him still carries the same career-changing impact it once did.
When host Oona McCaughan asked Shaffir how important it is for comedians to stay on good terms with Rogan and whether a Rogan endorsement can make or break a career Shaffir was quick to downplay the idea.
“I’d say less than ever,” he said.
According to Shaffir, Rogan’s own success has helped create an ecosystem where comedians have far more opportunities than they once did.
“There’s so many because of him actually,” Shaffir explained. “There’s so many big podcasters now that if you’re not on there, there’s tons of options to like help launch you.”
He argued that the sheer number of successful comedy podcasts has reduced the importance of any single appearance, even on Rogan’s show.
“He’s been on so long that this idea of like early on you could do it once and you’re like, ‘Wow, you’re big now,'” Shaffir said. “And this happens with every show. At midnight back then it was like, ‘Oh, it’s big.’ If you’re on the first couple years, then it becomes like it’s just a spot.”
Shaffir went on to compare Rogan’s platform with other major comedy shows and suggested that ‘K*ll Tony’ may currently have a stronger impact on comedians.
“Same as like Theo or like not the same, but like it helps,” he said. “But like K*ll Tony’s probably bigger. Cuz K*ll Tony is only funny the whole time.”
The comedian also discussed the difference between how audiences view Rogan and how fellow comedians see him. While many mainstream viewers know Rogan primarily as a podcast host, Shaffir emphasized that comedians still see him as one of their own.
“Rogan, you end up getting into serious discussions,” Shaffir said. “Which like this is so dumb. I don’t want you to go into serious discussions.”
He added that conversations can naturally drift in that direction because of Rogan’s personality.
“You get caught up doing it cuz he’s also a funny guy, but he’s also very serious,” he explained.
McCaughan then shared what he enjoys most about Rogan’s podcast appearances, particularly when guests derail serious conversations with unexpected comedy.
“My favorite Rogan is when people go on there and like surprise him,” she said.
Shaffir agreed, saying, “Stav on there is the best cuz he’s trying to talk about some politician doing this and Stav just like, ‘What’s the furthest you’ve ever seen someone squirt his squirt piss,’ and then it just takes Joe out of his serious self.”
Wrapping up his thoughts, Shaffir reiterated that Rogan’s identity as a comedian is often overlooked by people outside the comedy world.
“People don’t know about Rogan, he’s a comedian,” Shaffir said. “The rest is project.”
He contrasted that with the way many mainstream audiences perceive Rogan today.
“Mainstream people a lot of times see him as like a podcaster,” Shaffir added. “He’s a piece of like all of us.”
