PewDiePie calls Joe Rogan “Dumb” and criticizes the surge of podcasts

In a YouTube video titled “Podcasts have gone too far”, PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg) didn’t hold back in criticizing the podcasting world and taking aim at its biggest name, Joe Rogan. The YouTube star, known for his often controversial opinions, opened the video on November 28 by addressing the overwhelming rise of podcasts, stating, “There are 3.2 million podcasts. I told you there are too many podcasts, your grandma’s got a podcast, your janitor’s got a podcast.”

PewDiePie’s frustration was clear as he continued, “Anybody now has a podcast,” with his friend adding humorously to the commentary. The video quickly turned its focus to Rogan, with PewDiePie revealing that, after all the hype surrounding The Joe Rogan Experience, he decided to finally listen to an episode. His reaction? "Oh he’s actually respectfully very dumb,” Felix said, summarizing his thoughts on Rogan’s podcast.

PewDiePie Slams Joe Rogan’s Podcast

PewDiePie showcased various clips from Joe Rogan’s Experience, including a segment with Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign and a montage of Rogan struggling to understand jokes. “So he’s a comedian, but there’s a compilation of him not understanding jokes and it’s really funny,” PewDiePie said, making light of the inconsistencies in Rogan’s comedic abilities.

Felix then made an analogy, likening Rogan’s podcast style to a caveman bringing in a scientist just to explain basic concepts: “It’s clearly working for him, but it also shows just how dumb he is.”

Rogan, despite being widely regarded as one of the most influential podcasters, has had his share of controversies and criticisms. PewDiePie’s comments underscore a sentiment that has been gaining traction—while Rogan’s podcast remains popular, it doesn’t escape scrutiny for lacking depth at times.

Criticism of Personal Revelations and Alpha Male Podcasts

The video didn’t stop at Rogan; PewDiePie expanded his critique to the broader podcasting culture. He expressed frustration with how many podcasters, especially those from popular shows, unnecessarily overshare personal details. One example he gave was a clip from KSI on the Sidemen podcast, where the YouTube star revealed he only showers once a week. “Like if you just didn’t have a podcast no one would know about it,” PewDiePie quipped.

Felix also called out the rise of Alpha male podcasts, to which his friend humorously added, “This is where you go to lose brain cells,” highlighting the often regressive and controversial nature of some podcasts in this subgenre.

The Podcasting Boom: Too Much of a Good Thing?

PewDiePie’s video delves deeper into the phenomenon of podcasting, especially the way it’s shaping public discourse. He commented, “It’s funny because people are clearly not that interesting—not everyone is fascinating enough to have a podcast.” His remark raised concerns about the potential negative impact of podcasts on society, particularly as the format continues to grow in popularity.

Despite the criticism, Joe Rogan’s podcast still reigns as one of the most subscribed and listened-to shows on platforms like Spotify. However, Rogan has recently faced competition, with his podcast being dethroned from the top spot multiple times. Notably, in January 2024, Travis and Jason Kelce’s NFL-focused podcast New Heights surpassed Rogan in subscriptions. Furthermore, in October, Shawn Ryan, a former Navy SEAL and podcaster, briefly knocked Rogan off his throne.

As PewDiePie’s latest video proves, podcasting is still a hotly debated medium—some see it as a great avenue for entertainment and education, while others, like Felix, are growing increasingly weary of its over-saturation and lack of substance.