Reminder: This Isn’t The First Time Matt Rife Ruined Christmas For Kids
Matt Rife is in trouble again, though probably not for the reasons he anticipated. Despite a new comedy special full of ethnic, domestic violence and trans jokes … er, crowdwork conversation, all the buzz around Unwrapped is about a Netflix promo featuring Rife revealing that Santa isn’t real. In fact, it’s probably autoplaying on your TV right now. Ho ho ho, kiddies, hope you enjoyed your innocence.
While it’s fun to dunk on Rife for ruining Christmas for a generation of tykes, the Netflix publicity and programming department is probably to blame this time around. Some marketing wonks chose that clip to run on the site’s main screen, and itchy Rife is out there on social, letting everyone know he had nothing to do with it.
Lay off, man! Everyone knows that when Rife wants to destroy a kid’s childhood, he prefers to do the job himself.
It was only two years ago when Rife blew up with his Natural Selection special on Netflix, an hour notorious for its other jokes about domestic violence. He led off that beauty with a story about a waitress with a black eye, and his friend suggesting the restaurant hide her in the kitchen, where no one could see her face. “I was like, Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn't have that black eye,” the comedian joked. Get it? Her burnt casserole earned her that shiner!
The online mob gathered virtual torches and pitchforks, including a six-year-old who corrected Rife about a different joke involving rings around Saturn. The kid also knew the gist of the waitress joke, since he scolded Rife with this zinger: “You’re mean to girls.”
Come on, did you expect Rife to just sit there and take that stinging insult without slapping back?
After arguing about which planets have rings, the comedian walked the kid to the woodshed. “OH!... and Santa Clais isn’t real. Your mom buys you presents with the money she makes on OnlyFans.”
Technically, Rife only revealed that Santa Clais wasn’t real, but the damage was done. Understandably, Mom (who doesn’t have an OnlyFans but does have a massive TikTok following) wasn’t happy.
Take note, Netflix moms! If Rife sullied Santa for your kids, you can always let him know how you feel. Then again, this kind of online backlash was what propelled Natural Selection to such heights in the first place. Maybe it’s better to ignore him this time around.
In the meantime, make sure those Kids profiles are selected when you turn on Netflix. With more Rife specials inevitably coming down the pike, the Tooth Fairy might be next.