A viral video has exposed comedian and podcaster Brendan Schaub allegedly appropriating a personal anecdote originally told by fellow comedian Chris D’Elia, sparking widespread criticism across social media platforms.
The controversy centers around Schaub’s recent retelling of a coffee shop incident during the pandemic, where he claimed to have confronted a security guard over mask requirements. In the clip, Schaub describes entering his regular coffee establishment without a mask, leading to a tense exchange with staff and security personnel.
“I don’t have the mask because it broke and I walk in with my shirt,”
Schaub recounted in the video.
“The security guard goes big dude black guy right six six out of shape though goes uh son you need to put your mask on I go no not happening dude.”
The story escalates as Schaub claims he told the security guard,
“I promise you I’m getting my coffee”
and allegedly threatened to
“meet me in the back and I will mess you up dude”
when confronted about the establishment’s mask policy.
However, online sleuths quickly identified striking similarities between Schaub’s account and a story previously shared by Chris D’Elia on his own podcast. The Reddit community r/thefighterandthekid, which frequently critiques Schaub, compiled evidence showing the nearly identical narrative structure and specific details between both comedians’ versions.
Users on the platform have dubbed Schaub “Thiefer Sutherland,” referencing what they claim is a pattern of borrowing material from other performers.
“He’s stolen a couple of stories from Chris now. It was hilarious when he accidentally told Chris a story that he stole from Chris and then Chris went on to tell his identical version of the same story.”
Critics point out that even if the story were authentic, Schaub’s version portrays him as confrontational toward service workers during a public health crisis.
“Stealing a story that makes him look like an unbearable person,”
wrote one netizen.
“Then jazzing it up to make him sound even worse. A true master in the business of likability.”
This latest controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny of Schaub’s content creation methods. Fellow podcasters and comedy community members have previously accused him of appropriating jokes, anecdotes, and even entire comedic concepts without attribution.
The coffee shop story has also drawn criticism for its seemingly implausible details, including the presence of a large security guard at what appears to be a standard coffee establishment. Many commenters questioned the likelihood of such confrontations occurring in typical retail settings.
D’Elia has not publicly responded to the allegations, though the comedy community continues to discuss the apparent similarities between the two accounts.
Internet landscape is massively changing, social media users can quickly identify and expose potential content appropriation, holding public figures accountable for their creative practices.
