"They are crazy" - When Joe Rogan opened up about the dark side of comedy club ownership
Joe Rogan once opened up about the challenges of owning a comedy club. He seemingly emphasized the dark side of management dynamics in that aspect of comedy and broader pop culture realms.
The veteran stand-up comedian and UFC color commentator opened his comedy club, 'Comedy Mothership,' in Austin, Texas, U.S.A., in 2023.
Incidentally, Rogan hosted Pauly Shore, the son of Sammy Shore and Mitzi Shore, entertainment industry veterans and founders of America's famous comedy club, 'The Comedy Store.'
Speaking to Pauly on episode 1981 of the JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) podcast in May 2023, Rogan notably expressed his respect for Mitzi, highlighting the opportunities she created for comedians like himself and others.
They also addressed the opening of his comedy club. Joe Rogan suggested that he did it because he felt he could and, therefore, should. Nevertheless, the MMA personality acknowledged that he questioned whether he really wanted to take on the challenge of comedy club ownership, as he'd always advised people to be nice to comedy club owners because you surely don't want to be one.
Rogan claimed that a comedy club owner has to navigate the managerial challenges of consistently organizing the shows whilst looking after the artists, some of whom tend to be tough to manage due to substance abuse and other issues. He stated:
"You don't wanna be some person, hoping that this guy shows up, that he wasn't doing coke last night, and he isn't on a two-day bender, missed his flight, or he didn't sleep in, or didn't, you know there's so many factors dealing with your livelihood if you're a club owner. And then you have, people get too drunk, they are crazy, they do this, they do that, they wreck their hotel room."
Rogan added:
"And you're constantly, like, putting out fires. I'm, like, if you can make a harmonious relationship with a club owner, do it. Try to be as nice to them as possible. You work together. You don't wanna beat them. You don't wanna open a comedy club. That's too much work, but now I wound up doing it."
Check out Rogan's comments below (35:18):
Joe Rogan's 'Comedy Mothership' and multipronged entrepreneurial prowess
During a conversation with fellow American comedian Theo Von, Joe Rogan explained why he became a comedy club owner despite long maintaining how tough it is to be one. He recalled moving to Austin, Texas. Rogan referenced how Austin's well-known 'Cap City Comedy Club' shut down in 2020 amid the COVID-19 global pandemic.
While that club reopened in 2022, Rogan was inspired to start his own club and launched the 'Comedy Mothership' in 2023. He underscored that it wasn't for financial gain but to provide comedians a platform with considerable artistic liberties.
His club has hosted various comedians of differing worldviews, including artists like Shane Gillis and Roseanne Barr whom some have deemed polarizing.
Watch Rogan's assessment below:
A former Taekwondo competitor, Joe Rogan extensively worked as an actor, reality TV host, and standup comedian in the American entertainment industry. He initially joined the UFC in the late 1990s and became a promotional staple after rejoining in 2002.
The 57-year-old Rogan had worked a reduced commentary schedule in recent years. Regardless, he enjoys tremendous podcasting success and is considered a mogul in that dominion, courtesy of his JRE brand.