Comedy Club Cancels Shows After Controversial Joke
A comedy venue in Minnesota has unexpectedly canceled six sold-out shows following a backlash against comedian Ben Bankas. This reaction was ignited after a video of his stand-up set, which included a joke about a woman shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), became widely circulated online.
The Rough Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul made the decision to cancel performances scheduled from January 30 to February 1, after Bankas made jokes about Renee Nicole Good. Good, a 37-year-old mother from Minneapolis, was killed during an encounter with federal immigration authorities earlier this month.
Bankas addressed the cancellation in a video posted on Instagram, where he was met with boos from the audience. He expressed frustration, stating, “Fuck you,” seemingly directed at the comedy club. In his post, he mentioned that he would be looking for new venues and dates to perform for “the great people of Minnesota.”
This incident took place mere days after Good’s death on January 7, when the police reported she swerved her car towards ICE agents, leading to the shooting. Protests erupted in Minneapolis in response to her death, raising questions about law enforcement practices. Tensions further intensified following another shooting involving a local activist, Alex Preti, who was killed by federal agents on January 24.
In light of Bankas’ controversial remarks, residents began planning protests outside the comedy club, prompting the cancellation. Club owner Bill Collins stated in a message that they had considered the evident risks and potential liabilities, citing increased media attention and public unrest as contributing factors to their decision.
“We have determined that the risks and associated liability, combined with the heightened threat, are insurmountable,” Collins explained. He noted that small clubs like his lack the resources necessary to ensure safety in such a volatile situation, hence the club’s prioritization of guest and staff safety. As a consequence of the cancellation, Collins estimated a loss of around $17,000 and mentioned that Bankas’ agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), is demanding full compensation for the canceled shows.
Bankas, originally from Toronto but currently based in Austin, Texas, is also known for hosting “The Tanaka’s Show” on YouTube. His platform reportedly has over 10,000 monthly listeners.
