Doug Stanhope: Discount Meat

Doug Stanhope’s Discount Meat: Comedy Without a Safety Net

Doug Stanhope doesn’t just toe the line of good taste in his latest special, Discount Meat—he obliterates it. Recorded at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, on New Year’s Eve 2024, this raw, unapologetic set tackles everything from conspiracy theories and the pandemic to family dysfunction and the ethics of euthanasia. Known for his acerbic wit and unapologetic delivery, Stanhope blends black comedy with biting political satire in a way only he can.

Stanhope opens with a meta take on the special itself, admitting it’s a cobbled-together mix of pre- and post-pandemic material. This sets the stage for a set filled with deliberate chaos, where punchlines feel like gut punches. Highlights include his infamous “Covid vs. 9/11” bit, comparing the two crises with hilariously macabre logic, and a rant on conspiracy theories that dismantles the charm of modern internet-fueled nonsense compared to the “good old days” of 9/11 trutherism.

The special’s title, Discount Meat, nods to a bit where Stanhope describes a terminally ill dog’s grand sendoff—feasting on bacon and raiding the local Safeway. This heartfelt yet bleak story encapsulates the duality of Stanhope’s comedy: moments of genuine humanity woven into his stark, unfiltered view of life’s absurdities.

As the clock strikes midnight, Stanhope dives into the darker recesses of comedy, from anti-vaxxer culture to societal apathy, leaving no taboo unchallenged. Whether he’s mocking his own sobriety experiments or delivering scathing takes on the loss of universal truths in a polarized world, Discount Meat cements Stanhope as a master provocateur.

If you’re a fan of comedy that takes risks, refuses apologies, and finds humor in life’s darkest corners, Discount Meat is a must-watch. But be warned: this isn’t for the faint of heart—it’s for those who dare to laugh when they know they probably shouldn’t.