Ben Bankas Loses Six Sold-Out Shows After Viral Joke Sparks Safety Fears

A Minnesota comedy club has pulled the plug on six sold-out shows featuring comedian Ben Bankas, after a viral joke about a recently killed woman sparked outrage, protest threats, and major safety concerns.

Here’s how it all unfolded.

Sold-Out Shows, Suddenly Canceled

Ben Bankas was scheduled to perform six sold-out shows at Laugh Camp Comedy Club between Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. But just days before opening night, the club abruptly canceled every show.

The reason? A controversial stand-up clip that exploded online.

The Joke That Sparked the Firestorm

Earlier this month, Bankas shared a video from a New York show in which he joked about Renee Good, a Minnesota mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE agent on Jan. 7. In the clip, posted to Instagram on Jan. 13, Bankas made remarks many viewers found deeply offensive, including slurs and insults directed at Good and her wife.

The video went viral fast — racking up more than 8 million views by Jan. 31 — and so did the backlash.

Safety Concerns Take Center Stage

Laugh Camp owner Bill Collins said the decision to cancel wasn’t about comedy or censorship — it was about safety.

After consulting public authorities, lawyers, and staff, Collins said the club faced escalating risks due to protest threats, media attention, and broader civil unrest in the area.

“A small club like ours does not have the needed resources to mitigate current risks,” Collins explained, adding that protecting guests, staff, and performers had to come first.

Local residents reportedly planned to protest outside Bankas’ shows, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune, and that was the final tipping point.

The cancellations could cost the club around $17,000, Collins said — a major hit for a small venue.

Industry Fallout and Agency Pressure

The situation didn’t stop there.

Collins also told the Tribune that Creative Artists Agency (CAA), which represents Bankas, is demanding full payment for the canceled shows, arguing the comedian was still willing to perform. According to Collins, the agency has also warned that no other CAA-represented performers will appear at the club until the dispute is resolved.

Bankas Responds — Loudly

Bankas addressed the cancellations in another Instagram video on Jan. 29, telling a live audience that his Minnesota shows had been canceled — a comment that drew loud boos.

“F--k ’em,” he said, seemingly referring to the club.

In the caption, he added that he’s already working on new venues and dates for Minnesota fans.

A Tense Moment for Minnesota

The cancellations come amid widespread protests in Minnesota following the deaths of both Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal agents on Jan. 24.

Thousands have taken to the streets in St. Paul and Minneapolis to protest ICE’s presence, with a nationwide “ICE Out of Everywhere” Day of Action held on Jan. 30, urging people to skip work and shopping to cut off funding to the agency.

The Bottom Line

What started as a comedy clip quickly turned into a flashpoint — blending free speech debates, public safety fears, industry pressure, and a state already on edge.

For Laugh Camp Comedy Club, the call was clear: cancel now, stay safe. For Bankas, the controversy has only amplified his profile — and the fight over where comedy’s lines are drawn is far from over.