Matt Rife, the rising comedic sensation, has earned his place among the stars at the prestigious Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame. Following a string of sold-out shows at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Matt Rife was officially inducted as the 41st member of this esteemed cohort. The honour was bestowed upon him by Mohegan Sun’s president of sports and entertainment, Tom Cantone, alongside Kim Baker of the Mohegan Tribal Council.
Rife’s Comedic Ascent
Rife’s journey to fame has been meteoric. The 28-year-old comedian, based in Los Angeles, has seen his popularity soar in recent years. From hosting MTV’s “Total Request Live” to featuring in acclaimed sitcoms like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Fresh Off the Boat,” Rife’s comedic prowess has captured audiences worldwide. His latest Netflix special, “Natural Selection,” further solidifies his status as a comedic force to be reckoned with.
Despite initial performances at comedy clubs, Rife’s talent quickly propelled him to sold-out arenas and theatres, including iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl and the Royal Theater Carré in the Netherlands.
Rough Road to The Top
Rife has a predominantly young and female audience and as such he created a comedy special that could reach the male demographic, he performed his ‘Natural Selection’ special.
I wanted to make this special for everybody. I pride myself on making my comedy for everybody. It’s not for a specific demographic. I think if people would just give it the chance without going into it and being like “oh, only girls like him” or “people only like his face.” If you give it an opportunity, I think you’d like it.
The special was met with controversy due to a specific joke he said, about a waitress with a black eye, which was supposed to be an opening to “test the waters”. On top of this, Rife went on social media days after it’s release and posted a mock apology which said,
If you’ve ever been offended by a joke I’ve told – here’s a link to my official apology
The link was labeled with, “tap to solve your issue” and was a website selling “special needs” helmets. On top of this a bunch of his past tweets and comments resurfaced where he used racist and homophobic remarks. Matt’s controversy stayed with him until 2024, and a lot of people are not happy at all that his shows are selling out.
Celebrating a Milestone
The induction ceremony coincided with Rife’s unprecedented five-show run at the Mohegan Sun Arena, marking a historic moment for both the performer and the venue. Notably, this milestone aligns with the celebration of Mohegan Sun Arena welcoming its 15 millionth guest since its inauguration in 2001.
Tom Cantone, acknowledging the significance of Rife’s achievement, remarked,
“Five consecutive sold-out shows at an award-winning venue like Mohegan Sun Arena unquestionably deserves recognition in our Walk of Fame.”
Walk of Famers
Rife joins a prestigious lineup of Walk of Fame inductees, including luminaries like Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, and Ringo Starr, whose contributions have shaped the cultural landscape of Mohegan Sun Arena. Each inductee’s name is immortalized on a plaque adorning the entrance, commemorating their enduring impact on the venue’s success.
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