The Mean Gays to bring their shady comedy show to Miami Beach. They’ll try to play nice
The Mean Gays may be the only people on the Internet who can get away with online bullying.
Probably because the Atlanta-based comedic team, made up of Jake Jonez and Aaron Goldenberg, are absolutely fabulous — and hilarious.
The pals’ wildly popular short-form videos show off their genius brand of shade, not to mention impressively permanent resting b---- face. The shtick? Being judgey in such a demure, mindful way that their targets don’t even know they’re being trolled.
Now, the e-queens of mean are channeling their sassy act into a stand-up show IRL, and hitting the road. This weekend they head to the rooftop of Palace Bar in Miami Beach Saturday night. The show promises to be “a fun night of sketches, stand-up, music and overall tomfoolery.” And if their act is anything like their TikToks, it’s going to be a hilarious and subtle roast of anything roastable, starting with the audience.
In case you haven’t seen these two in action, one of their most viral videos is a good place to start: The Mean Gays invite a neighbor over, but he’s clearly not up to their standards.
The clip begins with a stone faced Goldenberg hesitantly opening the door and letting in the unsuspecting dude, who is mercifully never seen.
The hyper-critiquing starts from the get-go, with Jonez giving the unwanted visitor major side eye, then offering him a drink because he looks “dehydrated.”
After informing the guest that he doesn’t minutely resemble his profile photo, the thoroughly disgusted hosts usher him out, officially ending the savage inquisition.
“Well, thanks so much for coming,” manages Goldenberg, with a grimace, and shuts the door.
Ouch. But judging by the millions of views, the Mean Gays’ droves of followers are in on the joke, despite some commenters admitting to being slightly terrified.
“I have no idea who these gentlemen are, but for some reason I have the urge to impress them.”
“I’m getting second-hand judgment.”
“The glances of disdain....”
The Mean Gays, who play off each other like oil and vinegar, were meant to be, and how they “met” is kismet.
Goldenberg, a Miami native who moved to Atlanta in 2019, already had pivoted to creating satirical content during the COVID lockdowns.
Last summer, while laughing over one of Jonez’s skits, he noticed the fellow actor was at a park in the same city, and slid into his DMs.
”He’s funny by himself. I’m funny by myself,” said Goldenberg, who was raised in Perrine, near Kendall. “I thought, Hey, I think we could be funny together.”
In the very first meeting, they clicked.
Jonez, 30, embraced his new friend’s vision, which he describes as “two passive aggressive gays tearing you down with compliments.”
After the acerbic-tongued pair’s infamous neighbor takedown snowballed, the clicks kept rolling in.
Other brutal, over-the-top collabs followed; e.g., The Mean Gays attend a funeral (“Why is it even more sad when a hot person dies?”); visit a new mom in the hospital (“Is it too late to return to sender?”); and go to the movies (“I couldn’t believe they didn’t let us in with a Kirkland side chicken salad.”)
The duo couldn’t be more pleased by their newfound success. Especially Goldenberg, who began performing at the age of 15 at the Miami Children’s Theater.
Aside from his online stardom, the Robert Morgan High School grad is getting gigs, most recently roles in the Apple TV+ hit “Bad Monkey,” horror series “SWARM” and the “Scare Tactics” reboot.
But don’t worry, the Mean Gays aren’t going anywhere. Just ask them yourselves at the Palace. Feel free to grab a seat up near the stage or go to their meet and greet afterward. They don’t bite.
“We’re not naturally problematic creatures,” says Jonez, a big “Sex and the City” fan. “But I’m not very passive aggressive in real life. I’m super direct and very blunt with no filter.”
“Who I am online is very much an over exaggeration of who I really am,” adds Goldenberg. “I think where some comics get into trouble is by hitting on marginalized groups. Jake and I punch at each other.”
So what is it about the Mean Gays sketches that just works?
“I think people realize our stuff is just lighthearted fun,” says Goldenberg. “And we need that right now with all that is going on in the world.”
If you go:
What: The Mean Gays
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Palace Bar, 1052 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach
Cost: Tickets start at $55.45
Info: www.palacesouthbeach.com; www.go-out.ca; 305-531-7234
This story was originally published December 23, 2024 at 4:30 AM.
