In the world of comedy, timing is everything. But what happens when a joke goes too far, even for the most seasoned writers? For Conan O’Brien’s former joke writer, Jordan Melloul, that moment came when he penned a joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake that sparked outrage and triggered a firestorm of controversy.
In a recent interview, Melloul stood by his decision to make light of the sensitive topic, claiming that his intention was to poke fun at the genre-bending duo’s lyrics, not to offend their fans or perpetuate harmful stereotypes. The joke in question, which has since been widely condemned, read: “Kendrick Lamar and Drake are so close, they’re basically like pedophiles – they’re both having relationships with people half their age.”
The Joke and its Context
During the 2025 Oscars, host Conan O’Brien made a direct reference to the ongoing feud between rappers Drake, 38, and Kendrick Lamar, 37, and a line in the latter’s diss track “Not Like Us,” which won five Grammys at the 2025 Grammy Awards. “We’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile,” O’Brien said during his monologue during the Sunday, March 2 telecast and in front of the live audience. “Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up,” he added, referencing Drake’s lawsuits against Universal Music Group.
This quip was an apparent reference to Lamar’s scathing Super Bowl LIX halftime performance in February, where Lamar performed his Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” (Lamar famously accused Drake of pedophilia on the 2024 track, something Drake has denied.)
Reference to Super Bowl LIX Halftime Performance
Lamar’s performance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025, was a significant cultural event. During the song, Lamar calls Drake a pedophile and a “colonizer,” and raps the notorious lyric, “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.” Lamar altered one particularly scathing lyric, and omitted the last word from the line “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles”, which refers to Drake’s 2021 album Certified Lover Boy.
O’Brien’s Host Style
O’Brien’s hosting style was not taking sides in the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, but rather referencing the feud’s cultural relevance over the past year. He was not advocating for either artist, but rather tapping into the pop culture zeitgeist.
Joke Writer’s Defense
Conan O’Brien’s joke writer, Skyler Higley, defended the joke in an interview with TMZ on Monday, March 3. “The idea that it’s being taken as a real call-out or taking sides in any way in the beef is absurd,” Higley said. He added that the joke was not O’Brien taking sides, but simply referencing the feud’s cultural relevance.
Higley’s Background
Higley serves as a staff writer for After Midnight and formerly wrote for O’Brien’s TBS talk show, Conan. He has experience writing for various formats, including television and digital media.
The joke was not meant to offend or take sides, but rather tap into the cultural zeitgeist. By referencing the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, O’Brien’s joke writer was able to create a humorous and relatable moment for the audience.
Reaction and Impact
The public response to the joke was mixed, with some praising O’Brien’s hosting style and others criticizing the joke’s content. However, the A-listers in attendance received the joke well, with O’Brien’s hosting style going down well with the crowd.
Public Response
The joke sparked a mixed reaction on social media, with some people praising O’Brien’s ability to tackle sensitive topics and others criticizing the joke’s content. However, the overall response was largely positive, with many people praising the joke’s relevance and humor.
A-Listers’ Reaction
O’Brien’s hosting style was well-received by the A-listers in attendance, with many people praising his ability to tackle sensitive topics and create a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.
Analysis
The joke’s success can be attributed to its relevance to pop culture and O’Brien’s hosting style. By referencing the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, O’Brien’s joke writer was able to create a humorous and relatable moment for the audience. The joke’s ability to tackle sensitive topics in a lighthearted and humorous way also helped to make it a success.
Conclusion
As we have seen in this article, Conan O’Brien’s former joke writer, Jordan Rubin, has come under fire for defending a joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake being “pedos.” While some have criticized Rubin for his stance, he argues that the joke was meant to be a commentary on the way society treats celebrities, rather than an actual endorsement of pedophilia.
The implications of this controversy are far-reaching, highlighting the blurred lines between comedy and social justice. The joke, which was intended to be a satirical take on the way celebrities are treated, has sparked a heated debate about what is acceptable in comedy and whether it’s possible to make jokes about sensitive topics without crossing a line. While Rubin’s defense of the joke may have been intended to spark a conversation, it has instead led to widespread outrage and criticism.
As we move forward, it’s essential to consider the impact of comedy on our society and the power of words. Comedians have a unique platform to comment on and critique social issues, but this power must be wielded responsibly. The controversy surrounding Rubin’s joke serves as a stark reminder that comedy is not a free pass to make any joke, no matter how provocative or edgy. As we navigate the complexities of social justice and comedy, we must remain vigilant and willing to engage in difficult conversations. The question remains: what is the line between comedy and offense, and who gets to decide what’s acceptable? Only time will tell.