Matt Rife’s $1,000 Wild ‘N Out Gig: A Launching Pad to Stardom

Matt Rife Reveals $1,000 Per Episode ‘Wild ‘N Out’ Salary, Calls Show a ‘Launching Pad’

In a candid conversation on ‘Club Shay Shay,’ comedian Matt Rife lifted the curtain on his early career, specifically detailing his time on MTV’s ‘Wild ‘N Out.’ While the popular improv comedy show offered a significant platform, Rife revealed that the financial compensation was far from lucrative, emphasizing its role as a crucial stepping stone rather than a primary income source.

Rife disclosed that he was paid “a thousand an episode” for his appearances on ‘Wild ‘N Out.’ However, he quickly contextualized this figure, noting that he only appeared on three episodes during his tenure. Furthermore, the taping schedule itself presented limitations. “You’re taping for a couple of weeks,” Rife explained, “So you’re making… it’s all perspective, right? So I’m making $3,000 over the course of a month.” While acknowledging that $3,000 for a month’s work is “not bad” and more than minimum wage, Rife highlighted the opportunity cost.

“You can’t go do anything else when I could be going touring. I could be auditioning for other things that are going to pay more,” he stated. This led him to view the ‘Wild ‘N Out’ experience as “an investment. It’s a gamble. You got to hope you’re on these episodes.” Compared to the potential earnings from touring or other television opportunities, Rife asserted that the pay was “very little,” especially after taxes, effectively reducing the per-episode take to approximately $300.

Exposure Over Earnings

The true value of ‘Wild ‘N Out,’ according to Rife, was the unparalleled exposure it provided. “It’s really about the exposure. You’re giving people an opportunity to see Matt to see like, you know what, this dude is really funny,” he elaborated. The show allowed potential fans to witness his quick wit and improvisational skills, generating interest in his live performances. “If he ever toured, I got to see him cuz I want to see what he really like. Cuz I see he can go back and forth and he can joke and he got the gift of Gab and he’s quick with it. So if he got a set, he can do something 30 minutes, 45 minutes, I want to see it.”

Rife described the show as “more of a launching pad than anything. The exposure for there is unmatched, man.” He pointed to the longevity and popularity of ‘Wild ‘N Out,’ noting its impressive run into season 26. “That’s not off luck. Like they have they have an audience. People love the show. People love the people from the show.” He also highlighted the camaraderie and subsequent opportunities that arose from the show, mentioning how cast members would tour together, selling out large venues.

From ‘Ohio Teeth’ to a Million-Dollar Smile

The conversation then shifted to a more personal aspect of Rife’s transformation: his teeth. Rife recounted that after his first season on ‘Wild ‘N Out,’ he used the modest earnings and opportunities to invest in his appearance. “Ralph May took me on tour. I couldn’t wait to get my teeth fixed, man. It was I had Ohio teeth, bro. It was bad.” He described his former dental situation with vivid, self-deprecating humor, stating, “I had them stray hands, man. It was, bro, it was bad, bro.”

This dental work, completed when he was 19, significantly boosted his confidence. “It changed everything for me, man. Cuz I had 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 cuz it’s not the money for sure. It ain’t the dick. There ain’t no way.” He admitted to being so insecure about his teeth that he “would rather have died than smile” in photos, a habit he still struggles with despite the dental work.

The process of getting his teeth fixed was extensive and costly. Rife initially looked into braces, but the estimated six-year treatment plan in his early twenties was unappealing. Ultimately, he opted for a more comprehensive solution that cost around $24,000. “I paid half up front and then I had payments for the next like 3 years, which was terrifying to miss a payment.” He quipped, “I could have bought two pairs of fake titties with these teeth. It’s unbelievable. I got a Honda Accord in my mouth, man.”

Addressing Speculation and Embracing His Fanbase

Rife also addressed persistent rumors about extensive plastic surgery. “Ugly people love to say that,” he remarked with a laugh. “It’s the funniest thing in the entire world, man.” He attributed the speculation to a shift in public perception, where initially, some argued he was only popular for his looks, and then, when that narrative became less tenable, the focus shifted to accusations of cosmetic procedures. “People do age. I feel like I’m aging well. I like to think so. But just work out, man. Take care of yourself.”

The comedian also touched upon his significant female fanbase, a topic he has addressed before. He recounted an instance early in his rise to fame where his comments about the energetic, sometimes overwhelming, nature of his shows (often filled with screaming fans) were taken out of context. “I hate it, which was wasn’t right,” he admitted, clarifying that his frustration stemmed from the difficulty in performing and working on his material amidst the mania, not from a dislike of his fans.

“It wasn’t that I had a problem with the fan base. I was just like, just sit and listen, and I promise you, we’ll have a good time,” he explained. Rife concluded by embracing the passionate support he receives, stating, “It’s an amazing fan base to have. Women and black people are the best fan bases you could possibly have. There’s so much passion, man. Like if there’s support, there’s support. Absolutely.” He now views the initial defensiveness he felt about his fanbase as a misunderstanding, recognizing it as a significant compliment.

Source: Matt Rife Paid $1,000 An Episode On Wild ’N Out I CLUB SHAY SHAY (YouTube)