The Divide Behind the Laughs: Wanda Sykes on the Kevin Hart Roast
The Kevin Hart roast on Netflix was designed to be a powerhouse of comedy, bringing together some of the biggest names in the industry for a night of ruthless humor. However, while the numbers suggested a massive hit, behind the scenes, the sentiment among some comedy veterans was far from celebratory.
One of the most notable absences from the event was Wanda Sykes. In a recent interview with Vulture, Sykes revealed that she didn’t just miss the event—she actively chose to opt out, despite a personal invitation from Kevin Hart himself.
“Thank God I Went to the WNBA Game”
Sykes shared that Hart reached out to her before the official announcement, attempting to convince her that participating would be a great promotional move for her own comedy special. Instead of stepping onto the roast stage, Sykes spent her evening attending a Los Angeles Sparks WNBA game—a decision she now describes as a blessing.
Critiquing the State of Modern Roasts
The controversy goes deeper than a simple scheduling conflict. Speaking on the “Good One” podcast, Sykes didn’t hold back her critique of the writing quality in recent Netflix roasts, including the Kevin Hart and Tom Brady specials. According to Sykes, the humor has become stagnant.
- n
- Lazy Writing: Sykes described the material as “lazy,” suggesting a lack of creativity in the scripts.
- Recycled Tropes: She criticized the reliance on “recycled sexist, racist, and gay jokes,” arguing that these tropes are outdated and uninspired.
A Pattern of Backlash
Sykes isn’t the only one voicing concerns. The Kevin Hart roast faced several internal and external criticisms:
Michael Che, the Saturday Night Live star, reportedly pulled out of the event due to scheduling but later used social media to criticize the writers for jokes involving slavery and sex crimes. Similarly, Chelsea Handler, who actually participated in the roast, later slammed hosts Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe, calling some of the material “gross” and citing problematic leanings.
High Ratings vs. High Criticism
Despite the creative friction and accusations of offensive material, the event was a commercial triumph for Netflix. The roast pulled in an impressive 13.5 million viewers within its first week, maintaining a viewership level nearly identical to the previous Tom Brady roast.
The spectacle, which served as the finale for the Netflix Is a Joke festival, featured a star-studded lineup including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Regina Hall, and the polarizing Katt Williams. While the audiences tuned in by the millions, the industry debate continues: has the “roast” format evolved, or has it simply become a vehicle for shock value over genuine wit?
