Content warning: This article contains mild language that may not be suitable for all readers.

In the world of podcasts, where banter and bold opinions are the bread and butter, it’s not unusual for a cheeky comment to ruffle a few feathers.

But when Aussie podcaster Maddy Carty, host of the popular show Mads World, cracked a joke that was quite offensive, she probably didn’t expect the backlash to spread so quickly.

What did she say and why were people so offended?



Maddy, 30, is known for her conversational comedy podcast that dives into dating, feminism, sexuality, and relationships—topics that are bound to spark lively debate.

During a recent episode, she posed a playful hypothetical: 'If all men or all women got deleted off the planet, which gender would fare better?'



Her answer? 'Women just figure s**t out,' she quipped, suggesting that men, on the other hand, might be a bit more…random. 'If you send a man to the shops, he’ll bring back the most random items, and you’ll be like, ‘Why did you buy that?’' she joked, poking fun at a stereotype many of us have probably witnessed in our own families.

Now, most listeners would recognise this as a bit of light-hearted ribbing—after all, who hasn’t had a laugh at the expense of the opposite sex? But when a clip of the moment was posted to social media, the joke didn’t land as lightly as expected.

Some men took the joke in stride, but others were quick to take offence. Comments ranged from the slightly miffed—'Still time to delete this'—to the downright defensive.



'No matriarchy in history has ever survived,' and 'Who built the sofas you’re sitting on? Who built the room you’re in? Who originally found the power to charge your phones? Who designed those microphones you’re using? Who made the platform you’re posting on?'

Some even accused Maddy of ‘rage baiting’—a term for deliberately provoking anger online. This is the most delusional thing I think I have ever heard,’ someone else complained.



Others resorted to personal jabs, with one commenter saying she had a 'face for radio.'

Of course, it wasn’t all criticism. Plenty of women—and a few men—jumped in to defend Maddy, calling out the over-the-top reactions and reminding everyone that it was, in fact, a joke.



'Keep telling the truth[,] Queen,' one supporter wrote, while another pointed out that the men complaining were acting like 'fragile little boys.'

Maddy herself was surprised by the backlash, telling news.com.au: 'I was shocked that some men took it so seriously. They clearly have some insecurities around not being able to provide. It’s just a funny joke that’s 0.001 per cent of a long podcast. People should just get over it.'

Also read: Men secretly test dates with new tests to expose their true intentions


So, members, what do you think? Have you ever made a joke that was taken the wrong way? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s keep it friendly, and remember: a good laugh is something we can all enjoy!