Michael Knowles REACTS to Matt Rife

Join Michael Knowles as he dives into the comedic stylings of Matt Rife, experiencing the rising comedian's stand-up routine for the very first time. In this video, 'Michael Knowles REACTS to Matt Rife,' watch as Michael brings his sharp conservative commentary to the forefront, dissecting Rife's jokes, delivery, and comedic timing to answer the burning question: Is Matt Rife genuinely funny?
With his characteristic blend of intellectual critique and candid humor, Michael isn't just reacting-he's giving a verdict. Prepare for laughter, surprises, and perhaps a few eyebrow-raising moments as we explore the new wave of comedy through a political commentator's lens.
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🔔 Subscribe now and don't be shy in the comments-share your own reactions and let us know if you agree with Michael's assessment. What does it take for a comedian to truly be funny in today's cultural climate? Join the conversation and debate below!
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#MichaelKnowles #MattRife #ComedyReaction #StandUpComedy #FunnyOrNot #ComedianReview #FirstTimeReaction #HumorAnalysis #PoliticalCommentary #ComedyJudgment #DailyWireHumor #NewComedians #ComedyScene #StandupCritique #ComedyTalent"

[@Iris-bn1xw]

I love how confused Michael is because Matt is handsome xD

[@jollygoodgordon5580]

Michael is handsome indeed

[@TheDylls]

I mean, it's ALSO what all of the top comedians are talking about it seems lmao

[@lonewolfknight3604]

Listen, the rules of society are that you're either funny, attractive, or god forbid neither. You're just not legally or physically allowed to be both.

[@ameliam7898]

But Norm was handsome in his day!

[@anacc3257]

Sounds like he's professing his love

[@kathleensmith4853]

I think he laughs at his own jokes bc he speaks without thinking. The jokes hit him at the same time it does with the audience. 😂

[@lunacielo7680]

EXACTLY!!!

[@ricobarth]

No, he's laughing to try to take the sting out of what he just said. He does that laugh strategically...I don't think he ever cracks himself up.

[@karenr.8929]

No haha. That's how you got fooled easily. They prepared everything, that's a script, they memorise it. But comedians practice that to make it look like they say their jokes instantly, without thinking.

[@ricobarth]

@@karenr.8929 Ummm...the jokes in question are during crowd work, which is improvised.

[@vipe650r]

I think you’re totally right. It didn’t rub me wrong at all. It actually struck me as endearing, and I think that’s because it was genuine. What you’re saying totally lines up.

[@GCharlesE]

I can totally forgive laughing at your own jokes when they're doing crowd work and even they don't know what's about to transpire. If he was just doing stand-up, I'd totally agree.

[@nailatiylluf]

Completely agree. Big difference.

[@queenj.8i895]

It’s funny. Michael’s just weird lol

[@marvelaturraz5405]

@@queenj.8i895 Michael's great. Not in any way meaning to put him down here. I have lots of friends with unique and unusual attributes. So I've come to frequent the word "eccentric" when I must describe them. Michael will never be the cool guy. In ways he's cool, sure. But, uh... Yeah. What I'm trying to say is that I think I'm 100% with you, in your comment about our esteemed and endearing friend, M. Knowles. ;-)

[@ellamarie9709]

I was looking for this comment. 👊🏻

[@queenj.8i895]

@@marvelaturraz5405 I love his “weirdness”. He’s very smart & hilarious. And me, I’m eccentric for sure. Even my son, who’s only 15, finds Mr. Knowles to be quite funny. 🙃 Many blessings to all God’s funny children 🫶

[@rhodey2952]

Michael doesn’t understand that a lot of that wasn’t scripted. He’s doing this as he thinks on his feet. Many comedians can’t do this that well.

[@nathanwilliams4005]

I think Andrew Schultz is best at that type of comedy currently.

[@ketorn987]

That's what makes him more talented. The off the cuff improvisation is 💯 awesome.

[@lollipopsfordays3610]

Michael definitely understands he’s doing crowd work coming up with jokes on the spot.

[@betsybabf748]

Michael knows what crowd work is.

[@ftroop2000]

​@@nathanwilliams4005, 100% Exactly my thoughts. Schulz is better at this

[@_JenNasty]

JBP did a really great interview with Matt. He doesn’t really do the audience interaction anymore because he knows he’d get stuck and wouldn’t grow if he continued that. He also addresses laughing at your own stuff, and I really liked his answer. I think it’s hilarious when comedians laugh at their own stuff.

[@sundaymourning5329]

What was his answer to that? I also like when comedians laugh at their own stuff. Laughter is contagious, so not only does it keep the audience laughing, but I like to see that the comedian is having fun up on stage.

[@nigeriabuddy8062]

Also Michael’s comments about Matt needing more refinement, Matt is still in his mid 20’s and started comedy at age 15. He’s amazing for his age and will definitely get better with age

[@lins_z2]

He didn’t say he wasn’t doing crowd work anymore, he just said he wasn’t doing the red flag thing anymore I believe, because women would yell red flags and interrupt the show

[@rudelwolf]

well when u laugh 50% and the audience do 50% its even more funnier. even the fact that nearly everything is spontanous and u enjoy yourself make that even better. u dont act like " the joke is funny i prepared 5 month ago" no its just natural fun.

[@Ju-nj8bp]

Huh? From what I understand from the interview, "laughing at your own stuff" is like laughing at your own bad situation (an indication that the bad situation no long has power over you)

[@stephl.656]

He releases crowd work mostly on because he saves his material for his standup shows. He doesn't want you to pay to see him in person and think "I've heard all this before".

[@Havi-bi2kt]

Michael's criticisms are fair. Matt has a lot of potential and he's funny.

[@promethiac2641]

"We care about women" proceeds' to laugh at battered woman joke from the 90's.

[@IamAnnahi]

​@@promethiac2641as we should. You're nobody to censor jokes about anybody. Cheers.

[@promethiac2641]

@@IamAnnahi Censor? I thought I made that joke up when I was 12. The point is most Conservatives are pretty soulless.

[@IamAnnahi]

@@promethiac2641 You can dislike the joke, some of his jokes I find unfunny or meh, but I don't bitc* about it and organize campaigns to cancel him. If you made that joke at 12 than you are soulless. Gfy 🤡

[@SicsaM83]

@@promethiac2641How are they soulless?

[@averyames4584]

“It’s really good but he’s like twelve year old.” 🤣

[@Contra7311]

It's a great point until you find out he's 28

[@nivekrekab2658]

Him doing all this at 28 is astounding. His comedic style is to be enjoyed by all ages(yes kids can watch KZbin and WILL watch him too) He's hilarious.

[@chrism5732]

Matt’s whole thing that makes him unique is his crowd work and relatability.

[@ShereeAshleyArend]

Matt laughing at his own jokes is funny in itself

[@claudiap.6838]

Ricky gervais constantly laughs at his own jokes. It makes it funnier. I like it.

[@travisjazzbo3490]

That's cuz he's English and has awesome mannerisms in his face

[@sven_86]

it works with some people, doesnt work with others, it depends for sure

[@sundaymourning5329]

I agree. I like it too!

[@davidwagner5583]

Ricky gervais is way funnier though

[@RobulousDee]

It's about how it fits into your broader persona. If you feel like the person is laughing at the joke because they genuinely think the topic is funny, it's charismatic. If you feel like the person is laughing at the joke because they think they're funny, it's obnoxious.

[@tammyjohnson8161]

Matt works the audience like nobody else. He comes with the jokes on the spot. He cracks himself up which spreads to the audience.

[@2steps1ceps38]

that bit where michael can't stop talking about how handsome matt is, the producers were over there panting about what they were gonna do with it lol

[@ingGS]

Matt joked that he was fugly growing up and turned attractive in his early 20s, therefore he wasted his youth creating a personality only to not need it now. 😅

[@JEby77]

Knowles only real complaint is that this guy isn’t Norm. I share the same complaint.

[@user-cv8qe9ru8c]

I share this complaint with all ppl.

[@TG61960]

He is so smart! He did an interview with Jordan Peterson that was just absolutely amazing.

[@TheKyfe]

Matt wasn't laughing at his own jokes, he was laughing at his own wit. There's a difference. He's processing what he just said at tye same time all of us are, which elicits a real reaction. He doesn't prepare witty comebacks.

[@Ian.Murray]

That's still a huge narcissistic red flag

[@Mr.Rabot6688]

@@Ian.Murray no it's not touch grass

[@Quadrilaterally]

@@Ian.MurrayYikes. Eggshells are always broken when walkin around this guy.

[@milspecmike8440]

Exactly, he has a natural ability to make witty comebacks or comments, I used to do this with my friends group (but at obviously an amateur level), sometimes you are literally caught off guard by what you just said and it’s funny, so you laugh.

[@M5MSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMS]

​@Mr.Rabot6688 imagine saying d same stuff but he a stoneface killuh

[@aethefledladyofmercia9572]

Michael: "I hate when comedians laugh at their own jokes." Drew: *Can't make it through the first 2 minutes of his show without laughing at himself.*

[@msmrsro]

Matt’s really known for his crowd work. It’s fantastic!

[@iVetteman]

The pondering over how good looking he is was so fn funny !

[@iheartoIdmen]

Should’ve seen Michael in college 😂😂😅

[@Mattywill29]

A lot of his jokes are reaction jokes and improv, which allows for laughing at yourself. Those are the ones you don't expect but hit perfect.

[@GYakobian]

Editors clearly love Matt R. 😂

[@yp8152]

2:40 Michael was totally fangirling over Matt here😂

[@TJ85234]

I dont care what anyone says, that bit with Christina and her daughter is Comedy gold

[@earlbrown]

and a great ad for both their OnlyFans accounts

[@zappadali8696]

Norm McDonald was constantly laughing at himself.

[@mikeakey3358]

I KNEW we'd be seeing a matt reaction after he pisted that special helmet apology post 😂😂😂

[@peachberryglitch7857]

I thought Rife was funny for it and I respected him, until he went off online on his plastic surgeon for posting a joke on TikTok. Dude can’t take what he dishes out. 😂😂

[@CeiliRain1]

Girl that was fucking hilarious I loved that

[@stephenfortin9485]

I hope you've watched more of him and realized his crowd work is his bread and butter . its amazing .

[@angiev1840]

I love how Matt cracks himself up

[@straighttalkwithkyle7947]

You're confusing his scripted material with his crowd work. What you're watching is his crowd work where he's interacting with the crowd and responding to them and firing from the hip with his responses. That's why he's laughing at his own jokes so to speak because he's having the same reaction the audience has because it's spontaneous material he's coming up with on the spot. Very few are in his league with the crowd work.

[@TheDylls]

I absolutely love when comedians laugh at their own jokes, but it's definitely a specific style. That's the best thing about comedy - which Michael obviously gets- is that there's something for everyone ❤

[@TheDylls]

@@shawnstafford7809 Facts! I'm Left of Centre, but I gotta say that that sounds like a "Liberal Utopia" (nightmare!) Hahaha Edit: If I've said it once... "Read 1984. Then, if you don't get the issue of where limiting language can end up, read it again."

[@jamesbarbour4341]

“When it comes to comedy, the only person I care about is Norm Macdonald” Most relatable thing Michael has ever said.

[@Djoker99]

I just started watching Matt Rife clips the other day & he's legit funny talented.

[@glenmacnicol7825]

A great part of his charm is that he interacts with his audience. Thats his gig, not planned monologue.

[@heneverreturnasahorse9773]

My son and I are in complete agreement. When Norm left SNL I had no further reason to watch that liberal drivel. Norm was the King of the Mountain.

[@allysonaa5730]

I just watched a video about him recently. It talked about him getting fired by NBC, because he wouldn’t stop telling OJ jokes. I can’t remember for sure though, but I think they regretted letting him go and offered him his job back with SNL.

[@JeremyBertram-nd3wj]

His crowd work is phenomenal. 🤣

[@JB-og7cu]

He reminds me of a frat guy at a frat party.

[@Msow32]

Same that’s why I just don’t like him. Ppl use Dave chapelle and Williams. But they’re actually chill and down to earth. Matt just ain’t that guy

[@bikashgurung6054]

That's the most appropriate music while describing the handsome comedian there knowles😂

[@carolnoelle2468]

We love a good comedian who doesn’t apologize for jokes haha

[@Msow32]

But he gets mad when ppl joke about him & starts arguing w a 6 yr old kid online.

[@edd2771]

The funniest part about this entire thing is Knowles visibly recoiling in disgust at the misuse of the word “retort”.

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

The funniest part of the whole video is when the editor zooms in on the jeans loincloth with a question mark. I bust a gut laughing at that. What the heck is he wearing?

[@samalexander5382]

@Michael Knowles, Mat Rife doesn’t do mostly crowd work. He only uploads crowd work because he thinks it is unfair for his audience to pay for to watch him say jokes that they already saw on KZbin.

[@sabrinaevans8746]

Matt has a whole set on how confusing it is to be a good looking comic. I died laughing!

[@lisasantos5434]

Crowd work is tough because it’s mostly unscripted and I think Matt’s very good at that spontaneous on the fly interaction. He’ll be fine tuned in a few years. But I don’t see his laughing being at his own jokes necessarily. I think it’s to connect with the crowd, which makes them more comfortable and less likely to turn on him…..

[@VirtuaSavage]

Unless it's not unscripted at all. Also plenty of comedians say crowd work is lazy comedy.

[@stevecollins3496]

Michael is a tough crowd!

[@Wacdonaldnoneyt]

I’ve never seen a handsome comedian - Michael Knowles

[@tda8184]

Yeah the laughing at his own jokes part is sparking a conversation, i personally think its good because it gets the juices flowing in our brains, humanises him and makes it feel like he's not just a character on a screen but a person you can interact with yk? Like making a joke with your friends and all of you burt out laughing

[@anttikettunen8601]

Funniest stuff I have seen from Rife is all crowd work. The flix special, it was ok but nothing spectacular. Oh yeah and on that laughing at his own jokes, I always took it for making people feel less uncomfortable. Like showing that he's not serious.

[@xJessiGirlProx]

I don’t think of it as him simply laughing at his jokes. I think he laughs to make the crowd lighten up, especially who he’s talking to, and just the awkward tension of saying all the off color things he says to them

[@KaleEmAll]

Michael has his taste and that's fine, but there's one objectively wrong point he made. Rife uses pauses very well, and in stand-up, you HAVE to let the joke breathe. You can keep going from punch to punch and be fast and hilarious, but you will have people miss jokes because they couldn't hear over their own laughter. And, in certain jokes, you NEED the pause to let the joke set in (think dark humor). Without it, it loses some of it's touch because the pause and realization makes it.

[@yankeetango]

Depends. I think the late, great Rodney would disagree.

[@KaleEmAll]

@@yankeetango nope, Rodney's pacing was perfect. He always let the audience appreciate the joke before the next setup. Joke, 1, 2, joke, 1, 2. It's the art form.

[@Contra7311]

He's not saying about the pausing he's saying that Matt Rife's tone is off

[@geoffkelly8160]

Yep!, Totally agree. Anthony Jeselnik is another amazing stand-up with impeccable timing and delivery. It's all about their style. Love it or hate it.

[@YoutubeLovesCowards]

Saw him in person and he's hilarious.

[@The1SSGrant]

Hearing Michael in the Lady Ballers ad talking about being “brave and beautiful” just before hearing him in the clip is hilarious to me 😂 Edit: that model edit with Matt in background 😂😂

[@jodybern]

Spontaneous wit … plus dark humor 🎉 reckon we’ll be seeing him again

[@SaltyVixen06]

He's actually 28 and has been doing comedy since he was 15! What he's doing is called Crowd Work, that's how he got to his new NETFLIX SPECIAL

[@DrgnflyDrmz]

I just recently started seeing some of Matt's comedy. I think what makes it funny is he roasts everyone! He doesn't discriminate, but it's all in good fun. He really does connect with his audience.

[@rebeccah.6403]

"You also don't have THEE hardest life!" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂☠️

[@SwtGrnEyed86]

Matt Rife's crowd work is unparalleled lol

[@hillgirlstacy4103]

Rife has a different style and it's refreshing, he keeps it real. Fun fact, he's also a ghost hunter. He deserves all the success he is getting. He did Jordan Peterson's show very recently, don't be bitter Michael.

[@CeiliRain1]

He’s a damn ghost hunter?! I need to see this

[@michaelbaziotis8287]

Like Michael, I am not a big fan of crowd work comics, but Matt's "Milf and cookies" improv with a grandma named Christina, was hilarious and EPIC!

[@aby99]

2:40 😂 This man's face! This part made me have a good laugh

[@travisjentertainment6866]

"some of that was good...but hes like 12 years old" 😅😂 Micheal has jokes too.

[@Karamarika]

Rife's crowd work is his best stuff. I feel he should do the opposite of Michael's wants and just lean into the crowd work hard. Those are the clips that go viral the most for him.

[@Rkenton48]

Rife actually does address the oxymoron of being a good looking comedian in one of his acts. He never really thought of himself as handsome while growing up, cause he wasn't.

[@peggybailey8333]

Matt Rife is so pretty 95% of his audience would sleep with him if they could. He's got quick caustic wit which he tried to soften the blow by laughter. I've watched alot of his stand up and he's very good. He doesn't need to be old and grizzled to placate anyone's insecurities about their own looks. He just needs to be him.

[@resistance8247]

Hearing someone that still has no idea what happens when you die,and try to tell other what to think is just funny. Well done

[@rickimanasseh]

I love when comedians laugh at their own jokes! 😂

[@Lovemedic]

I've been waiting desperately for Knowles to talk about Rife😂😂😂😂😂 Priceless Guys! Priceless!

[@IamAnnahi]

He's got potential, he's witty and funny. Lots of space for improvement, he will mature his style with time. Definitely on the right path.

[@GraemeFaber-ls5wp]

"chariot Tubman" was great😂

[@92alphagal]

I love his delivery…he’s Matt. His own style!!

[@jessicajordan0483]

Just as you finished saying "fine tuned and gristled"... My son's dog grunts in his sleep ("ha, yeah" he says) ! Now THAT'S comedic timing - so funny 👌🤣😎

[@rich6646]

I think it’s important to realize you are only watching his off the cuff crowd work. He doesn’t post his actual stand up online. If he did why would you go to his show and watch the same jokes that you all ready seen. His words. I enjoy these clips. Keep them coming.

[@BeccaMathias-uw3qq]

That "transportation" joke though. I wish I had his level of wit.

[@reesebrindle1809]

He thinks it up so fast he has to laugh at himself. He’s that good!

[@TheeRomantic]

I LOVE Matt!! Hes hilarious and started on wildin n out

[@tanyapoulin5880]

You'd have to see where he came from haha. I love him to be honest bc he's young and already has come a long way.

[@fabionpettigrew195]

This guy is amazing

[@jeast417]

Most of the clips of Matt rife are of the end of his show when he's doing audience work

[@IHateNicolasCage]

You know someone loves Norm when the phrase “old and gristled” comes up more than once.

[@deanarjones9114]

The bit with the cougar cookie lady was hilarious

[@susanguppy2231]

Norm Macdonald was super good looking when he was young and arguably when he was older too.

[@Brandon-qp6ut]

The best joke was Key and Peele at the end 😂

[@kaylareeder4449]

I lovvvvee when comedians laugh at their own jokes. It makes me laugh harder lol

[@QanunAlShah]

I like it when comedians laugh at their own jokes, as long as it's natural.

[@talgwatr]

Mike; he is fummy asf........Luv' you both..hahahahha

[@jesseturay1421]

Matt Rife is refreshing, Michael. Believe us! :)

[@tonideveraux8484]

I live when comedians laugh at their own jokes.

[@lunacielo7680]

Same. Especially because he's rapidly firing back. He doesn't have much time to think of a comeback and laughs at what he just blurred out.

[@philljustphill1656]

Michael is waiting for Matt riffe to enter his Bill Burr phase 😂

[@LN-Lifer]

Except Matt is already more genuine than Bill ever was

[@Msow32]

@@LN-Liferno

[@juliabuonincontro8617]

He was quick with that transportation comeback

[@EdginLegend]

Bro, Michael got fruity with it at 2:40 lmfao

[@hannaht4961]

i love this😭😭

[@jamdacles]

So I am watching this around 1:50am, and I want to laugh so hard starting 2:43 of the video hahaha MIchael you are the weird one there LOL

[@LN-Lifer]

In Michael's defense....he judges every comedian against Norm And that's an impossible bar for anyone to clear RIP Norm

[@HeatherStrickler]

Matt is really funny lol Most of what you’ll find online of him is crowd work but that’s only like 5min of his set. He does actual jokes too he just doesn’t put them on the internet because then there would be no need to go to a show.

[@hiruksharanaweera3336]

Glad you reacted to him❤️😍

[@travisjazzbo3490]

He's talented... but let's face it... he's far more popular than he otherwise might be because of his looks. I believe even he admitted it was the ladies who really love him and have propped him up big time

[@Tony51929]

Another great comedian you should check out especially for Italian Americans is Sebastian Maniscalco, I’ve seen all his shows they’re hilarious

[@JackSwafford-nz3gr]

Bruh that handsome comedian bit was priceless😂

[@sher4757]

Norm McDonald laughed at his jokes before he told them....he was a legend!

[@robertedwards7900]

I saw an interview with him and his crowd work is actually a small part of his act. He just posts the crowd work skits to give people a sample of his act so he doesn’t give away the jokes in his main act. Brilliant business move.

[@Govna2104]

the thing with Matt laughing at his own jokes is that only usually happens when he's doing improve