Haute Dog’s Matt Rogers shares the secrets of hosting and culture

Matt Rogers is quickly becoming one of the Internet’s most beloved comedians and cultural personalities. With co-host Bowen Yang, Rogers hosts critically acclaimed podcast Las Culturistas where the two dissect key cultural moments every week.

With Haute Dog, Rogers’ hosting persona translates from queer comedy into a broader family aesthetic. As the host of HBO Max’s competitive dog grooming show, Rogers gamely and seriously grapples with the fun and challenges of hosting.

Rogers never takes himself or the show too seriously while also treating it with love and respect, imbuing Haute Dog with a welcome camp sensibility not seen in other similar series.

Culturess sat down with Rogers to discuss the ins and outs of hosting the “cultural moment” that is Haute Dog.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Culturess: Haute Dog isn’t your first hosting gig. How much time and thought did you put into crafting your specific hosting persona for Haute Dog in comparison to your other projects like Gayme Show and Las Culturistas?

Matt Rogers: What I love about hosting Haute Dog is that it’s truly a family show. It’s for one and all. The other shows I host are more geared specifically toward adult audiences so, to be quite honest with you, the whole “wholesome” thing is different for me.

But I truly love it! Haute Dog is a space for positivity and big fun energy. When I walked onto set for the first time, I immediately got the tone: super sunny and happy. The show definitely has an edgy humor that sneaks in, but that’s not what it’s all about.

My other projects are ones I created, so they feel more like the real core of who I am, whereas Haute Dog is the PG version. By which I mean, you will not see my butt on it. Apologies!

Culturess: You’ve worked as a staff writer on some iconic comedies like The Other Two as well acted in numerous shows such as Shrill and Search Party. Was it different to step back and act in purely a host role? 

Rogers: The producers of Haute Dog were very down to have me just be myself and really make the host role my own, which I was super grateful for and excited about.

I love hosting. I’ve been hosting shows onstage for years coming up in the New York and Brooklyn comedy scene all throughout my twenties, so it wasn’t super different for me.

I just kind of show up and am myself. I love acting and writing, and if I had my way I would do all three — acting, writing, and hosting — in equal measure. And I will stop at nothing to get my way…

Culturess: Did you have to do a lot of research to prepare for the dog grooming knowledge of the show? How has Haute Dog surprised and challenged you as a comedian?

Rogers: Every day before we shoot I get a really informative briefing from Eric, one of the truly great producers of the show, and after that I feel like I have a knowledge of the dogs I’m going to be meeting and the groomers competing, but honestly, I kind of just showed up to host the show and learned as I went.

And I do learn something new every day! Jess is obviously a deep well of knowledge as an expert in this field and the head judge, so I definitely know a lot more terminology as a result of working with her and befriending her. And I also know more about certain dog breeds and dog behaviors.

Because I have to hand them off to contestants and hold them, it’s actually built into the schedule before we shoot that I get to play with the dogs and feed them so they’re comfortable with me. So, yeah, my job is a nightmare! Playing with dogs professionally. Tough.

As far as how it challenged me as a comedian, I definitely had to check my tendency to tease and mess with contestants while they’re working and competing. They’re stressed out! They don’t need this fool in a crazy suit poking fun at them.

Once I get behind the table with Robin and Jess, though, all bets are off. No mercy, but in the kindest way.

Culturess: How does Haute Dog rank as a “cultural moment”? Is there anything you can tell us about your future projects?

Rogers: Haute Dog is a moment in culture. No doubt about that. Designer fashions, adorable dogs, Robin Thede? Now, come on, now!

I’m super lucky to have some truly cool projects coming up. That I can’t talk about yet! Which would make my 14-year-old self very happy. To have to be secretive? Very ABC’s Lost.

Haute Dog is currently streaming on HBO Max.