His podcast might be the most listened to in the world, but fans of The Joe Rogan Experience have been getting increasingly frustrated with his show in recent weeks. While the show has always covered a wide range of topics, often delving into political issues and other subjects making the news, the last few weeks have sidestepped current affairs in favour of a string of A-list celebrities – and this week was no exception. (Picture: Getty Images)
In fact, it was Oscar-nominated star Bradley Cooper who joined Joe, with the pair enjoying an in-depth chat over the course of 150 minutes – covering topics ranging from AI and social media through to people’s attention span. All of which might have made for entertaining listening, but infuriated many of the podcast’s listeners given how many similar stars have appeared on the show of late. (Picture: Joe Rogan Experience)
Over the past few weeks the podcast has also played host to the likes of Russell Crowe, Billy Bob Thornton, Ethan Hawke and John Cena – leaving fans to question why Rogan is covering lighter subject matters when there is so much to discuss in the world of US politics. ‘The world is on fire and we have Hollywood guests? Come on Joe grow some hair,’ one commenter said on Spotify. Others complained that the programme was becoming ‘more like The Tonight Show,’ with one adding: ‘Just a string of actors and comedians is making it hard to keep following.’ (Picture: Joe Rogan Experience)
Over on Reddit those who heard the podcast had similar views. ‘Why all these Hollywood actors?’ asked one person. ‘I don’t get it, they are not interesting at all.’ However, some suggested in response that celebrity guests could be the current order of the day to deflect from sliding into politics. And Bradley’s appearance did raise a few eyebrows among others, who suggested he looked ‘unrecognisable’. (Picture:Joe Rogan Experience)
One person said: ‘I would never guess this man is Bradley Cooper,’ while another added: ‘His face is totally different, like I can’t recognise him, and not because he’s older.’ The comments come in the wake of plastic surgery rumours surrounding the Silver Linings Playbook star, which he addressed while appearing on the SmartLess podcast with presenters Will Arnett and Jason Bateman. (Picture: The Joe Rogan Experience)
The topic was raised on the show by Arnett, who referenced the fact that Cooper’s fans are convinced he has had plastic surgery, while insisting he has not. The actor, in turn, admitted he had been stopped many times of late by fans commenting on how good he looks, calling the attention ‘crazy’. But while his remarks served as a sign that he’s aware of the speculation, the actor did not confirm or deny having had any procedures. (Picture: Joe Rogan Experience)
Meanwhile, Rogan hasn’t completely shied away from discussing politics in spite of his recent star-studded string of guests. Addressing the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, the presenter said he understood why many were comparing them to Hitler’s Gestapo. ‘You don’t want militarized people in the streets just roaming around, snatching up people…many of which turn out to be US citizens that just don’t have their papers on them.’ (Picture: Joe Rogan Experience)
‘Are we really gonna be the Gestapo…”where’s your papers?” Is this what we’ve come to?’ he asked rhetorically. The White House has since hit back at the comments, with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin saying: ‘If Tim Walz and Mayor [Jacob] Frey would let us in their jails, we wouldn’t have to be there at all.’ She added that the Trump administration had set its sights on 680 illegal criminal aliens, calling them ‘people who, whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, you would never want these people to be on your streets or your neighbours.’ (Picture: The Joe Rogan Experience)Add as preferred source