Joe Rogan has delivered a stunning verdict on one of his recent guests, declaring it the most disastrous episode in his podcast's 16-year history. The bombshell admission came during a conversation with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers about a contentious interview that left listeners frustrated.

According to the Daily Mail, Rogan told Rodgers that his May 13 episode with archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass was "the worst podcast I have ever done." The interview quickly descended into chaos as the former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities repeatedly dismissed questions and interrupted the host.

Rogan's harsh assessment reflects widespread public criticism of Dr. Hawass's performance during the episode about ancient Egypt mysteries. Listeners flooded social media with complaints about the archaeologist's combative approach and his tendency to redirect every inquiry to his published works rather than engaging in meaningful discussion.

Hawass draws widespread criticism

Dr. Hawass's appearance on the show sparked an immediate backlash from Rogan's audience, who criticized his dismissive responses and frequent interruptions. Throughout the interview, the archaeologist repeatedly answered questions by saying, "It's in my book," rather than providing substantive explanations. His behavior became so problematic that one social media user noted he "literally couldn't let Joe finish one sentence."

The tension escalated when Rogan attempted to discuss recent discoveries beneath the Giza pyramids. Italian researchers released satellite images in March showing what appeared to be massive vertical shafts stretching more than 2,000 feet under the Khafre pyramid. Dr. Hawass dismissed these findings as "bulls***" while admitting he wasn't familiar with the imaging technology and stating, "I'm not a scientist."

Rogan later told Rodgers that despite Dr. Hawass's rejection of the satellite imagery, the same technology had accurately mapped the Tomb of Osiris, which the archaeologist himself had explored in 2008. This contradiction highlighted what Rogan described as Dr. Hawass's "closed-minded" approach to new discoveries and research methods.

Underground discovery sparks debate

The controversy centered on claims by researchers Corrado Malanga, Filippo Biondi, and Egyptologist Armando Mei regarding structures beneath the pyramids. Their satellite images allegedly revealed vertical shafts and chambers thousands of feet below the surface, sparking international intrigue about hidden chambers or unknown structures. However, their work has not yet undergone peer review or been published in a scientific journal.

Rogan found the images "fascinating" and praised the researchers' use of tomographic radar technology. He pointed out that the same scanning methods had accurately mapped the multi-level Tomb of Osiris, an ancient underground burial complex first mentioned by Herodotus and rediscovered in the 1930s. The complex features three levels, including an entry chamber, a room with sarcophagi, and a flooded subterranean chamber.

When Rogan pressed Dr. Hawass about why he was dismissing the technology, the archaeologist claimed he had investigated it and found it wrong but offered no further details. This response frustrated both Rogan and his audience, who expected more thorough explanations from someone in Dr. Hawass's position of authority in Egyptian archaeology.

Hancock connection revealed

Rogan revealed that Dr. Hawass only appeared on the podcast because of historian Graham Hancock, who is known for promoting alternative theories about ancient civilizations. The two men have a contentious history, including a heated confrontation in 2015 at The Mena House Hotel in Egypt where Dr. Hawass launched personal insults at Hancock and his wife during a planned debate.

Their conflict stems from fundamental disagreements about archaeological interpretation and ancient history theories. Dr. Hawass has consistently dismissed Hancock's ideas as "lies" and labeled theories like the Orion Correlation Theory as "nonsense." In response, Hancock has accused Dr. Hawass of behaving like a "thug" and being afraid of open debate because his views "can't stand up to scrutiny."

Despite their bitter past, Rogan explained that the two men had "patched up something" and become friends again. Hancock had approached Dr. Hawass about appearing on the podcast, which led to the ill-fated May 13 interview. However, the episode demonstrated that their fundamental disagreements about archaeological methodology and openness to alternative theories remain unresolved.

Worst episode assessment stands

Rogan's frank assessment of the Dr. Hawass interview represents a rare public criticism from the podcaster about one of his guests. With more than 1,800 episodes since starting the show in 2009, declaring any single interview the "worst" carries significant weight. His comment that it might also be "a good one too" suggested he viewed it as educational in demonstrating closed-minded thinking in academic circles.

The episode highlighted broader tensions in archaeology between traditional gatekeepers and researchers exploring new technologies and theories. Rogan characterized Dr. Hawass as someone who has been "in charge of gatekeeping all the knowledge about Egypt," suggesting this interview exposed problems with how archaeological information is controlled and shared with the public.

Aaron Rodgers's reaction during their conversation showed he understood the significance of the episode's failure, particularly given Dr. Hawass's prominent position in Egyptian archaeology and his control over access to major archaeological sites and discoveries.