Kevin Hart Defends Tony Hinchcliffe's George Floyd Joke, Says 46-Year-Old Star Would Not Halt Roast
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 27
Kevin Hart Defends Tony Hinchcliffe's George Floyd Joke, Says 46-Year-Old Star Would Not Halt Roast
7 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 27
Kevin Hart said Tony Hinchcliffe's George Floyd joke was not "tasteful" but defended it as part of roast comedy, saying he was not shocked and calling Hinchcliffe's set one of the night's best.
On The Breakfast Club, Hart rejected criticism that he should have intervened live, saying a Netflix roast is a live production and he would not derail it over another comedian's material.
Terrence Floyd had urged Hart to bring "Will Smith energy" and push back immediately, while Hart argued he should not be blamed for a joke he did not make.
The backlash widened beyond Hinchcliffe: host Shane Gillis drew criticism for jokes about lynching and Sheryl Underwood's husband, while Chelsea Handler and Nikki Glaser said roast comics can push limits without crossing into gross or incoherent material.
Is Kevin Hart responsible for a comedian's joke, or is he an unfair target in the controversy?
Will the roast controversy force streaming giants to censor future edgy comedy specials?