Comedian Matt Rife, while extremely popular on social media, is no stranger to controversy. In a recent interview with Men’s Health, the comedian stated that “no one wants to laugh at pretty people.” The comments were not well received, and spawned numerous satirical impressions and commentary on women in comedy.
Now, briefly after the initial interview clip was released, several TikTok creators are revisiting more of Rife’s comments in his video interview with the magazine. Men’s Health has long offered physical and mental health advice from experts and celebrities, but one comment is not sitting right with some viewers.
Rife has long been praised for his physique, and in the video, advised new gym goers to focus on building chest muscle. The comedian said that “building a chest is so important. You want to have the chest of a man, not a 12 year old girl.”
@menshealthmag His goal? “Strong yiddies.” #mattrife #mattrifeedit #mattrifecomedy #chestworkout #chestdayexercise #pectoralmuscle
While many fitness aficionados understood Rife’s point on a technical level, many felt that insulting pre-pubescent girls in the process was uncalled for. Model and digital creator Big Bro Bear (@barrettpalll) spoke on the comments via TikTok.
The creator accused the comedian of casual misogyny towards young women, and body shaming other men. The creator pointed out that patriarchal humor harms men and women. This argument was brought to the forefront of the cultural conversation with director Greta Gerwig‘s “Barbie”, which dropped this summer. The film examines similar themes, and has since sparked conversations of the same subject matter across social media.
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@barrettpall What is the joke? #fy #fyp #mattrife #menshealth #women #girl #men #boys
A Comedian Rife With Controversy
Matt Rife built a loyal fan base through sharing video clips of his live stand up comedy set on TikTok. His jokes about relationships, his childhood, and crowd work rapidly built a community of young women attending his shows. The comedian additionally delivered on orders for video roasts on Cameo, which fans shared near Christmas of 2022.
@taylorrenee20___ Replying to @sel_nat here is the long awaited Matt Rife roast???????? #fypシ #mattrife #mattrifecomedy #matt #mattrifetok #mattrifecomedyfan???? #getmetomattrife #comedian #cameo #roast @matt_rife
In recent months, the comedian appeared as a guest on the “Stiff Socks” podcast, here he discussed his type in women. He went into minute physical detail, and insulted female anatomy. Rife, who was attracting a widespread female fanbase, now continues to reckon with being called out for alleged misogyny since this podcast appearance.
https://www.tiktok.com/@pri.mina/video/7203734361307614469?_r=1&_t=8fJ7S9nOzAQ
The podcasters defended Rife’s comments, claiming that it was simply “guys being guys.” Their response was widely criticized on social media. The “locker room talk” excuse came under critical examination in the public eye in mid 2010s, after former U.S. President Donald Trump used the same phrase after he was caught making vulgar comments about women backstage with former television host Billy Bush ahead of the election.
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@expatriarch “Guys will be guys” is nothing more than an acceptance that men are immature, dumb and ignorant and we shouldn’t expect them to be otherwise. It is a plea that men are mentally incompetent, which should be absolutely rejected by men. Especially adult men in their 30s. #relationship #datingadvice #single #toxicmasculinity #feminism #misogyny #positivemasculinity #women #men #boyswillbeboys #greenscreenvideo
Rife is yet to comment on Men’s Healthgate, and will continue his stand up tour in California next month.
