Netflix Presents: Theo Von Saying the N-Word
Also: Andrew Schulz thinks nobody in New York died of Covid.
Not so long ago it might have been considered newsworthy that a theater full of people cheered for a famous white comedian to say the n-word at the Netflix Is A Joke Festival, and more, that he went ahead and said it. In 2026 it’s just another episode of Theo Von's podcast:
A few things I’ll observe about this segment, in which Mike Tyson—a convicted rapist who insisted on his innocence in his 2013 memoir—goads the 46-year-old comedian to call himself a “n—r lover.” One is that this live episode of Von’s podcast took place at a sold-out Wiltern Theatre, total capacity 2,300. Two is the cheers when Tyson tells him to say it and the applause when he does. Three is that the recording censors Von’s use of the slur but not Tyson’s; that’s what I’d call consciousness of guilt. Four is that this was a Netflix-branded event. It used to be that corporations like Netflix—or Paramount and Celsius, two of Von’s sponsors—did not care to be associated with outright racism, because it tarnished their brand image. I guess that’s a thing of the past.
And one other thing. A Los Angeles Times contributor—Ali Lerman, a comedy club booker who previously worked for Anthony Cumia’s Compound Media and Glenn Beck’s Blaze Media—attended the show and wrote this about it:
Stand-up might own the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, but the podcasts they delivered are absolutely worth talking about. For Theo Von’s first-ever live taping of his hit podcast “This Past Weekend,” he landed the ultimate guest: Iron Mike Tyson. The sold-out crowd at the Wiltern erupted the second Von hit the stage, but that was nothing compared to the deafening roar of screams and “We love you, Mike!” when Tyson walked out.
Tyson admitted he wasn’t familiar with Von, but thankfully stated he did indeed like him, because that would have really messed up the rest of the episode! The two share an inquisitive and child-like energy, turning heavy conversations about growing up broke, the solitude of incarceration, and desperate cries for attention, into something remarkably light. Tyson’s vulnerable side was also on display while speaking about his daughter dying tragically, God’s plan for him, and speaking about his mentor Cus D’Amato, which quite literally brought him to tears. Can a show be heartfelt and insane at the same time? Definitely interested to see how they edit a few things, but when this knockout episode comes out, you’re truly in for a beautiful treat packed with plenty of wild moments.
“Definitely interested to see how they edit a few things”—not how I’d describe hate speech, but I guess I’m in the minority these days.
What Else?
This week Andrew Schulz said in two separate podcasts that New Yorkers didn't get or die of Covid, which is why he's not concerned about the hantavirus:
Reassuring stuff from one of comedy's biggest pandemic profiteers.
Seth Simons
