Whether it's a comedian, musician, or actor, being in the public eye often means courting controversy and putting one's foot in one's mouth. Sometimes, of course, a joke is told to be offensive, to get people talking and become a headline the next day, like many lines from Anthony Jeselnik or Tony Hinchcliffe. But in many instances, people like Blake Lively or Tenacious D's Kyle Glass speak without realizing they might have crossed the line or how their words would be interpreted in the cold light of the day following.
From political rallies to TikToks to concert stages, vote up the most offensive jokes that merited the controversy caused. Vote down the ones that don't seem like a big deal.
The Joke: “There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico?”
The Controversy: Hinchcliffe's words angered many, especially as they occurred during a rally for President Donald Trump. While Hinchcliffe refused to apologize for the joke, he did admit it was perhaps the wrong venue.
The Joke: “Daniel we told you never to speak about that! Get back in your hole Daniel! And give me your holes!"
The Controversy: In a TikTok live stream alongside his Ned's Declassified co-stars Lindsey Shaw and Daniel Curtis Lee, Werkheiser referenced the serious allegations of former Nickelodeon child stars against showrunner Dan Schneider in the docuseries Quiet on Set. Werkheiser apologized after he was called out by Drake Bell.
The Joke: [Captioning an obviously photoshopped Instagram post] “I’m so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why I’ve been MIA.”
The Controversy: Lively's post referenced a photoshopped image of Kate Middleton with her children that was released amid conspiracy theories about the conspicuously absent royal. When it was later announced that Middleton had been undergoing cancer treatment, Lively posted an apology.
The Joke: “COVID was just so strange. And we lost a lot of people during COVID, and most of them are still alive. There’s a lot of people that I don’t f*ck with anymore. Before COVID, I would have told you that vaccines are the most important invention in human history. After COVID, I’m like, ‘I don’t think we went to the moon. I think Michelle Obama’s got a d*ck. I think Pizzagate is real. I think there’s direct energy weapons in Antarctica.’ I’m just kidding — I don’t think Michelle Obama’s got a d*ck, but I believe all of that other sh*t.”
The Controversy: The anti-vax COVID jokes in Rogan's Netflix special aligned with his previous notoriety for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories on his podcast.
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Kyle Glass On Trump
The Joke: [Before blowing out candles on a birthday cake] “Don't miss Trump next time.”
The Controversy: The Tenacious D member's mock birthday wish caused such backlash that Glass issued an apology and the band halted touring.
The Joke: “A lot less immigrants would come into America if you stop paying 'em $700 million to play baseball. Steve Cohen bought a Dominican for 700 million. Used to be able to get a whole bushel for that much.”
The Controversy: The line about Juan Soto's unprecedented baseball contract from Rock's SNL monologue prompted laughs in the audience but wasn't well received from some who felt Rock was punching down at an incredible feat for someone from a marginalized group.
