Is Netflix Ruining the Art of Comedy Roasts? The Rise and Fall of Roast Specials

Comedian Jeff Ross is a legend in the world of comedy roasts, and Netflix’s comedy division has played a pivotal role in bringing standup specials back into the mainstream. But the streaming giant’s recent approach to the format—exemplified by ‘The Roast of Kevin Hart’—has left much to be desired.

The three-hour runtime of the Hart roast was a slog, filled with awkward cutaways to Pete Davidson’s forced smiles and Chelsea Handler’s visible discomfort. Even co-CEO Ted Sarandos reportedly abandoned ship mid-broadcast. The question remains: How did a once-entertaining comedy tradition get so diluted so quickly?

Netflix’s Foray into Roast Specials: A Mixed Legacy

Netflix entered the roast business in 2019 with ‘Historical Roasts’, a series hosted by Ross that featured fictionalized roasts of figures like Abraham Lincoln and Anne Frank. The concept was bizarre and far from funny. By 2024, Netflix doubled down on the format with ‘The Roast of Tom Brady’, billing it as “the greatest roast of all time” in a nod to the NFL star’s GOAT status.

The Brady roast, hosted by Kevin Hart, featured celebrities such as Will Ferrell and Ben Affleck. It also launched Nikki Glaser’s career, showcasing her sharp wit and paving the way for her hosting gigs at the Golden Globes in 2025 and 2026. Despite its three-hour length and staging at the Kia Forum (a venue with a capacity of 18,000—hardly ideal for comedy), the show worked because of the real comedians involved and Brady’s visibly awkward performance.

The Golden Age of Comedy Roasts

The roast format has a storied history. In 1973, ‘The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast’ featured legends like Jack Benny, Don Rickles, and Phyllis Diller skewering then-California Governor Ronald Reagan. The chemistry and spontaneity made it comedy gold.

My own father owned a 1967 bootleg recording of a Friars Club roast featuring Don Rickles, hosted by Roast Master Jack E. Leonard. The lineup included Flip Wilson, Jackie Vernon, Johnny Carson, Pat Paulsen, Norm Crosby, and Buddy Hackett. It felt like a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the comedy establishment.

From 1968 to 1971, Friars Club Roasts were televised, and in 1974, Dean Martin launched his own series of televised roasts, which ran for a decade. These were the golden years of the format—when spontaneity, wit, and chemistry defined the roast.

Why Netflix’s Roasts Fall Short

Netflix’s modern roasts suffer from bloated runtimes, awkward pacing, and a lack of spontaneity. The ‘supersize me’ approach strips away the intimacy and sharp timing that made classic roasts legendary. Instead of fostering genuine humor, these productions feel like forced spectacles.

The contrast between Netflix’s roasts and the golden-era classics is stark. Where the old-school roasts thrived on wit, improvisation, and the chemistry between comedians, today’s versions often rely on spectacle and star power—without the substance.