from the 2000s when he was doing Fear Factor/NewsRadio.

Fun fact, Ray Romano (of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' fame) was originally cast as the station's handyman on NewsRadio but was let go before the pilot because producers felt his comedic timing wasn't quick enough to keep up with the rest of the cast. When Joe Rogan was hired to replace him they retooled the character based on his standup routine from the time... Which was basically just ranting about drugs and conspiracy theories on stage.

That's the only reason the Joe Garrelli character was a conspiracy theorist. So when people tell you "Joe Rogan used to be reasonable" they don't know what they're talking about. He was barely acting on that show. He's always been a contrarian meathead conspiracy theorist.