Minnesota Club Cancels Comedian's Sold Out Show Over Good Joke

Canadian comedian Ben Bankas' six sold-out shows in St. Paul, Minnesota were cancelled due to a controversial routine. The routine, shared online, poked fun at Renee Good, who died in a shooting involving an ICE agent. Club owner Bill Collins cited threats, media attention, and civil unrest as reasons for the cancellation. Bankas' routine included offensive jokes about Good and her wife. The social media posts of the routine gained significant attention and sparked outrage. Bankas had performed similar material in New York before it became an issue. The Creative Artists Agency, representing Bankas, demanded compensation and restricted other clients from performing at the club. The article highlights a perceived pattern where comedians targeting progressive causes face pressure. Bankas responded with a Facebook video blaming the cancellation on political pressure. He expressed his disappointment and willingness to spend on security to keep the shows going. The article concludes by discussing the social media impact of Bankas' reaction.