Comedian Andrew Santino said he went to “war” with Disney executives after they flagged and demanded changes to jokes about adult Disney superfans in his upcoming Hulu stand-up special, “White Noise.” The special is set to premiere Sept. 12 on Hulu, which is owned by Disney.
Santino told Variety that he was told to minimize a bit about so-called “Disney adults” — adults who frequently visit the parks and wear branded apparel without children — or the special would not air on the platform. "They definitely changed the jokes," Santino said. "I was not stoked about that. We got into a little bit of a war. They did not want those jokes in there."
According to Santino, Disney executives told him the material could reflect poorly on the broader brand. He said the company gave him a choice: pare down the jokes to meet their standards or the special would not be carried on Hulu. Santino said both sides eventually agreed on a pared-down version but that he was disheartened by the compromise, describing the decision as "bulls---" and "disconnected from reality." He added that people speak their minds in everyday life and appreciate comedians who voice uncomfortable or unspoken perspectives.
Santino also framed the dispute as evidence of a larger industry shift, saying the incident underscores why many comedians are favoring podcasts and independent platforms over traditional outlets, where they feel more creative freedom. He has been promoting the special with live appearances, including a Sept. 3 spot on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and earlier performances.
Fox News Digital reached out to Disney for comment and did not immediately receive a response. Santino’s remarks to Variety are part of a broader conversation in comedy and entertainment about content standards, platform ownership and how brand considerations affect creative decisions.
The exchange between Santino and Disney adds to ongoing debates among performers and audiences about corporate oversight and the line between brand protection and creative expression. Santino’s special will be available to Hulu subscribers beginning Sept. 12, and the dispute highlights how platform ownership can play a role in shaping the final form of streamed comedy specials.
