Tony Hinchcliffe, a comedian and podcaster who stirred up a storm of controversy with his racist humor at a rally for now-President Donald Trump in October, has inked a deal with Netflix. The agreement encompasses three specials under Hinchcliffe's signature "Kill Tony" brand, the weekly live podcast that captivates audiences on YouTube. The inaugural special will be taped at The Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, and will make its Netflix debut on April 7th.
"My team of Austin-based comedians, peers, and upcoming talents are thrilled to bring our wild, unhinged show to a whole new segment of the world," Hinchcliffe exclaimed in a press release. "This is the most unscripted, improvised show around, and the creative autonomy Netflix has granted us to preserve its authenticity is every comedian's fantasy. We eagerly anticipate 'Netflix and Kill,'" he added, playing on the phrase.
The pact also encompasses a one-hour stand-up special featuring Hinchcliffe.
Back in October, he was invited to warm up the crowd at then-candidate Trump's Madison Square Garden rally. Hinchcliffe kicked off his set by taking aim at Puerto Rico. "There's so much happening, I'm not sure if you're aware, but there's literally a floating island of trash out in the ocean," Hinchcliffe joked. "I believe it's called Puerto Rico." This line, along with other derogatory remarks, resonated well with the arena audience, though the Trump campaign subsequently attempted to disassociate itself from his comments.
"This joke does not mirror the views of President Trump or the campaign," Trump campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez stated to CNN at the time.
Bad Bunny, Luis Fonsi, and other artists of Puerto Rican heritage spoke out against Hinchcliffe's remarks. "It's fine to have diverse perspectives, and I respect those who differ from mine... but embarking on this racist path is not the way," Fonsi penned in a social media post.
Netflix has never shied away from controversial comedy before. In 2021, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos reiterated his backing for Dave Chappelle and his special, "The Closer," which garnered criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, artists, and Netflix employees over Chapelle's jokes about the transgender community.
Following reports last month that Netflix was courting more podcasters, Netflix's Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria told Puck that the streaming giant is open to collaborating with a diverse array of talents. "Our mission is to identify creators out there who are doing exceptional, captivating work and determine what fits Netflix," Bajaria said. "Some might be on YouTube, some might be in film school, and some might be at a festival we're yet to discover."
