Netflix has been expanding its reach into many different areas. Podcasts, live sports, and even roasts. And why not? They clearly have the money to do so. When it comes to roasts, they have dived in headfirst, right into the deep end.
They have aired several notable comedy roasts. These include the Jonas Brothers Family Roast, where the band was playfully roasted. Historical Roasts, hosted by Jeff Ross, that humorously took on historical figures. And the most successful one by far was the Roast of Tom Brady, a live event hosted by Kevin Hart.
If by chance you are Gen Z and don’t know what a roast is, it’s an event where a person, often a celebrity, is humorously insulted by a group of friends or peers. The idea is to mock the honoree (and the other attending roasters) with sharp, often exaggerated jokes playfully, but all in good fun and typically with their consent. Roasts are meant to be a celebration as much as a comedy performance, and while the jokes can get pretty savage, there’s always an underlying sense of camaraderie and respect.
If you hit a certain level of fame, there is a high chance that you may have been roasted at some point. Some of the most famous roasts ever include the Roast of Charlie Sheen, the Roast of Donald Trump, and the Roast of Pamela Anderson. You can also throw in Hugh Hefner from Playboy, Hulk Hogan, David Hasselhoff, and so many more.
If you truly go back in the annals of time, the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts from the 70s and 80s set the whole style in motion. Those roasts really defined the genre and had some all-time classic moments.
But it all really started back in the 50s and 60s with the Friars Club roasts. And the Friars Club in New York was famous for hosting them. Lucille Ball, Don Rickles, and Milton Berle were all part of those classic roasts, as was Johnny Carson. Those roasts were really sophisticated, but still packed with sharp wit.
But back to the Kevin Hart Roast. The show opens with and is hosted by comedian Shane Gillis. It also includes comedian Pete Davidson, comedian Chelsea Handler, basketball player Draymond Green, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, and actress Regina Hall. Comics, Jeff Ross, and Big Jay Oakerson also took turns roasting him.
The event also featured surprise appearances by Katt Williams and Dwayne Johnson, which added to the highlights of the show. There are some truly funny jokes in this one. I watched it, and it made me laugh out loud plenty. But I am partial to roasts and their formats. This is a must-watch. Maybe it doesn’t get a 10 / 10. But an 8 for sure.
