Matt Rife

Matt Rife’s attempt to cement his status as a tough, macho comedian in his Netflix special was, frankly, cringeworthy. He kicked things off with a joke that was as outdated as it was distasteful, dipping into the murky waters of domestic violence humor. A laugh track might have helped, but then again, maybe not.

Seeking to grab that elusive badge of masculine approval, Rife launched into a bit about a hostess sporting a black eye. The punchline, delivered with a nudge and a wink to his buddy, suggested that her culinary skills, or lack thereof, were to blame for her injury. The joke landed with a thud, echoing the out-of-touch nature of his so-called humor.