The Controversy Over Matt Rife’s Netflix Special—And His Response—Explained

Topline Matt Rife, a stand-up comedian known for his viral TikTok clips and his large female fan base, is facing some backlash on social media over a joke he made about domestic violence during his recent Netflix comedy special—and a joke he made in response to the criticism. Key Facts Rife started his November 15 Netflix special, “Natural Selection,” with a story set at a “ratchet” Baltimore restaurant where the hostess had a “full black eye,” and, Rife said, it …