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Tony Hinchcliffe: Cancelled for a Joke

TRIGGERnometry

Sun Oct 29 2023



Cancellation and Media Coverage:

  • Tony Hinchcliffe was cancelled after a joke he made during a routine Thursday workout set.
  • The cancellation received extensive media coverage, with articles from various news outlets portraying Tony as a racist comedian.
  • It was a coordinated attack, possibly involving the Chinese media, as they reported on a tweet that had not yet been posted.

Support from Comedians:

  • Many comedians reached out to offer support and advice to Tony during this difficult time.
  • There were different opinions on how to handle the situation, with some suggesting an apology and others advising against it.
  • Ari Shaffir and Shane Gillis advised Tony not to apologize, which ultimately influenced his decision.

Releasing Full Sets:

  • In response to the controversy, Tony released both his set and Pang Dang's set in their entirety on Ari Shaffir's YouTube channel.
  • The full sets provided context and showed that Tony's jokes were part of his comedic style rather than racially motivated attacks.
  • Pang Dang stopped all scheduled media appearances after the release of the full sets.

Impact on Career:

  • Being dropped by WME talent agency added another layer of impact to the cancellation.
  • Despite facing adversity, Tony remained determined and continued performing stand-up comedy.

Reflections on Cancellation Experience:

  • The experience changed Tony's approach to comedy, making him more focused on getting laughs and proving himself.
  • He expressed gratitude for the support he received from fellow comedians during this challenging time.

The Role of the Media:

  • The media coverage of Tony's cancellation was driven by click-hunting and a lack of understanding of comedy.
  • Articles portrayed Tony as a racist comedian without considering the context or his comedic style.

Importance of Context:

  • Releasing the full sets provided important context for understanding the nature of Tony's jokes.
  • It highlighted that his jokes were not racially motivated attacks, but rather part of his comedic repertoire.

Challenges Faced:

  • Being dropped by WME talent agency had significant repercussions for Tony's career.
  • The cancellation experience tested his resilience and determination to continue pursuing stand-up comedy.

Support from Peers:

  • Fellow comedians played a crucial role in providing support and advice during this challenging time.
  • Their diverse opinions on how to handle the situation offered different perspectives for consideration.

Personal Growth:

  • The cancellation experience prompted Tony to reflect on his comedic approach and prioritize delivering laughs.
  • He emerged from the ordeal with a renewed focus and appreciation for his craft.

Cancel culture and media manipulation:

  • Articles about the speaker being a frequent guest on Joe Rogan's podcast were used as clickbait by the media.
  • Speculation that this was done during chaotic times, tapping into a new market after the rise of Asian hate and in the aftermath of George Floyd's death.
  • Criticism of media outlets for downplaying stand-up comedy and attempting to control people's opinions.
  • Media outlets trying to sneak their own opinion or take on things, even though they are not supposed to.
  • Wrongful cancellation can make someone stronger, as seen with other comedians like Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis, and Joe Rogan.

Personal growth and career success:

  • Being canceled changed the speaker personally and professionally.
  • Increased determination and focus on their craft led to higher viewership for their podcast Kill Tony.
  • Stand-up career continued to thrive at a higher level than before.
  • Despite being dropped by old agents during cancellation, now has support from an agent at the biggest comedy agency.

Character of others:

  • Disappointment in those who abandoned or betrayed them during cancelation but are now trying to come back when they see their success.
  • Finding it weak and disgusting for people to beg for forgiveness when someone is thriving after being canceled.
  • Importance of remembering those who stood by you during tough times and never forgetting those who ran away.

Advice on dealing with cancel culture:

  • Not apologizing if you haven't done anything wrong but instead getting support from friends and leaning into your work.
  • Coming back stronger is how you beat cancel culture.