Particle.news
Download on the App Store

St. Paul Comedy Club Cancels Ben Bankas’ Six Sold-Out Shows After Viral Renee Good Joke

The owner says the risk level exceeded what the club could handle.

Overview

  • Laugh Camp Comedy Club in St. Paul canceled Bankas’ Jan. 30–Feb. 1 run of six sold-out shows after a viral clip about Renee Good drew widespread backlash.
  • Owner Bill Collins said consultations with authorities and legal counsel, threats, media attention, and plans for protests created safety and liability risks the club could not mitigate.
  • Collins estimated losses at roughly $17,000 and said Creative Artists Agency is demanding full compensation and has paused bookings of its other clients there until the dispute is resolved.
  • Bankas responded onstage with “F--- ’em,” posted that he is working on new Minnesota dates, and argued the venue should pay him for canceling.
  • Other appearances remain scheduled, including four shows at Rochester’s Comedy at the Carlson on Feb. 6–7, with additional Upstate New York dates later in the year.