Rife Dodges Owen Comparisons, Cites ‘Wild ‘N Out’ Limits

Rife Dodges Owen Comparisons, Cites ‘Wild ‘N Out’ Limits

Matt Rife, the rapidly ascending comedy star, is setting the record straight on persistent comparisons to fellow Ohioan Gary Owen and shedding light on the creative constraints he experienced during his time on MTV’s ‘Wild ‘N Out.’ In a candid conversation on Club Shay Shay, Rife addressed the parallels drawn between himself and Owen, asserting a desire to avoid being pigeonholed into a specific demographic, while also detailing how the popular improv show, despite its exposure, ultimately proved too limiting for his comedic ambitions.

Avoiding the ‘Urban Comic’ Label

The conversation kicked off with the topic of Gary Owen, a comedian Rife holds in high regard. “Gary Owen is a legend. Like that dude murders,” Rife stated, acknowledging Owen’s considerable talent and success. However, Rife expressed a conscious effort to steer clear of the perception that has sometimes followed Owen: being exclusively an ‘urban comic’ or catering solely to Black audiences. “I just didn’t want to pigeonhole an audience. You know what I mean? Like I want to be for as many people as possible,” Rife explained. He emphasized that comedy, at its core, is universal: “Funny is just funny.”

The discussion highlighted how such labels can inadvertently limit opportunities within the entertainment industry. “It’s so unfortunate that that limits opportunities in Hollywood as well,” the interviewer noted, referencing Owen’s strong performance in ‘Think Like a Man’ but acknowledging the industry’s tendency to categorize based on perceived audience demographics. Rife echoed this sentiment, stating, “From a young age, I just saw that and I was like, I just want to make sure I leave all the doors open that I can.”

‘Wild ‘N Out’: Exposure vs. Creative Freedom

Rife’s tenure on ‘Wild ‘N Out’ provided significant exposure, but he admitted it came at the cost of creative freedom. “Everyone has their role, right? And my role was the white guy. And if you made any jokes outside of being the white guy, that [expletive] was like not okay,” Rife revealed. He felt the show’s format heavily favored racially based humor, which clashed with his desire to explore broader comedic themes.

“As a comedian, I want to say other [expletive]. I want to say something kind of clever, something that I actually put some thought into, something that’s not racially based,” Rife elaborated. After three seasons, the repetitive nature and creative limitations led him to seek other avenues. “This takes up so much of my time. I’m not on every episode. It doesn’t pay well. I need to go tour. I need to go be me on stage.”

Despite the drawbacks, Rife acknowledged the invaluable exposure the show provided. “My first season on there, I mean, I I bumped up thousands and thousands of followers. That allowed me to tour for the very first time. So, I’m so thankful for it. It was an amazing institution. It was a great opportunity and opened so many doors for me.” He described the show as a “launching pad” and noted the strong bond among cast members, many of whom continue to tour together, selling out large venues.

The Nuances of Black Comedy Audiences

The conversation delved into the distinct nature of comedy within Black culture, particularly the brand of playful roasting and “joking” that Rife experienced growing up in an HBCU environment. “If you don’t have thick skin and you went to an HBCU, you’re going to end up leaving,” Rife remarked, illustrating how teasing and banter are integral to communication within those communities.

“We call it Jody. We go back and forth,” he explained. “The more I jones on you, the more I with you, the more I try to hurt your feelings, the more I actually with you. Like I I genuinely love you as a person.” This dynamic, Rife feels, is often misunderstood by white audiences who may perceive it as bullying. “It’s so frustrating that white people don’t get that. They take it personal like you’re bullying him. We’re so sensitive,” he lamented, adding with certainty, “If I ever get a complaint for any of my material, it’s a white person 100% of the time.”

The interviewer agreed, noting, “Black people are always the more fun comedy audience, man. Y’all know y’all know what jokes are. The context is everything, man.”

Financial Realities and Personal Growth

Rife also touched upon the financial realities of ‘Wild ‘N Out,’ stating that while the pay wasn’t exorbitant, the primary benefit was exposure. “It’s about the exposure,” he reiterated. He contrasted the show’s pay, which he estimated at around $1,000 per episode before taxes, with the potential earnings from touring or other acting opportunities.

Beyond the professional aspects, Rife shared a personal anecdote about using his early earnings from the show to invest in his appearance. After his first season, he used money from a tour with Ralphie May to get his teeth fixed. “I had Ohio teeth, bro. It was bad,” he recalled, explaining how his self-consciousness about his smile impacted his confidence, especially in his relationship at the time. “I had a beautiful 30-year-old girlfriend at this time. I’m 19 years old. I got these terrible teeth. I was like, I got to give her a reason to stay,” he quipped.

Even with cosmetic improvements, Rife admits he still struggles with smiling naturally in photos due to not growing up with that habit. He noted the irony that for a comedian, perceived imperfections can be easily targeted, making his dental transformation a significant personal and professional step.

Looking Ahead

Rife’s reflections on ‘Wild ‘N Out’ and his career trajectory underscore a strategic approach to comedy. By prioritizing broad appeal over niche categorization and seeking platforms that allow for genuine creative expression, he aims to build a sustainable and expansive career. His willingness to discuss these formative experiences provides valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by comedians navigating the modern entertainment landscape.

Source: Matt Rife Addresses The Gary Owen Comparisons I CLUB SHAY SHAY (YouTube)