Bobby Lee Will No Longer Perform at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in November

Fans anticipating Bobby Lee’s November appearance at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas are out of luck. The comedian is no longer scheduled to performe at the venue, adding another entry to what some followers describe as a growing pattern of last-minute cancellations.

The timing of this particular withdrawal has sparked significant speculation within comedy circles and among fans. While Lee has developed something of a reputation for canceling gigs—with one observer noting it might be “the most consistent thing about him”—this cancellation carries potentially deeper implications given recent tensions in the comedy podcast world.

The controversy appears to stem from a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience featuring comedian Andrew Schulz, where both sharply criticized Lee and his Bad Friends co-host Andrew Santino. Their displeasure centered on a Bad Friends episode that featured Marc Maron, during which the veteran comedian allegedly made disparaging comments about others in the comedy community without any meaningful pushback from the hosts.

Schulz was direct in his assessment, stating “I thought that was corny” when discussing the interview. Rogan emphasized his philosophy on supporting colleagues during difficult times, explaining that when someone faces public scrutiny, “that’s the moment you double down for your boy. That’s the moment you go, I know that person. What people are saying about him isn’t real and you refute that.”

The criticism went beyond the single episode, touching on broader concerns about loyalty in the comedy world. Schulz suggested some comedians are “trying to create a little separation” from controversial figures due to social media pressure, particularly around what he termed “an internet trend about like the manosphere, whatever.” He noted this calculated distancing often happens with those who previously benefited from Rogan’s massive platform and support.

“I see guys who you were very generous to, like you lent your platform, your millions of followers, the biggest show on the planet, helped them make tons of money, help them really have success, build their own platforms,” Schulz observed, clearly frustrated by what he saw as fair-weather friendship.

Among Lee’s fanbase, reactions to the cancellation have been mixed. Some expressed disappointment at missing the performance, while others took a more sardonic view. “He has a very important goon and game sesh that day, we should be respectful,” one commenter quipped, referencing Lee’s well-known gaming habits. Another joked about the timing coinciding with a new Call of Duty release.

Current live appearances as per Bobby Lee’s webiste

 

The speculation about who initiated the cancellation remains unresolved. While some believe Rogan may have pulled the invitation following the Maron controversy, others familiar with Lee’s history suggest he likely made the decision himself to avoid confrontation.

Bobby Lee has previously been in a contentious situation when his then girlfriend revealed she was hit on by Brendan Schaub on their comedy podcast. This led to an awkward situation that ended Lee’s friendship with Bryan Callen. That time Joe Rogan actually phoned Lee and stood in his defense.

What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is Lee’s contrasting commitment to performing in Saudi Arabia—a venue that raised eyebrows given the country’s human rights record. “Saudi Arabia – Yes, Austin, Texas – No” one observer summarized, highlighting what many see as an inconsistency in Lee’s booking priorities.

The broader context reveals ongoing fault lines in the comedy podcast ecosystem. Rogan and Schulz’s comments reflected concerns about comedians who appear to prioritize public perception over personal relationships, particularly when internet sentiment turns negative.

“I would have Maron on, but we’re going to go at it,” Rogan clarified, distinguishing between providing space for dialogue and providing uncritical acceptance of attacks on colleagues.

Whether this represents a temporary cooling of relationships or a more permanent fracture in the comedy community remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the cancellation has become another data point in ongoing discussions about loyalty, platform responsibility, and the sometimes uncomfortable intersection of friendship and business in the modern comedy landscape.