Wanda Sykes Slams Kevin Hart Roast as Recycled Sexist Jokes Despite 13.5 Million Netflix Viewers

3 articles · Updated · Variety · Jun 12

Wanda Sykes said she turned down Netflix’s May Kevin Hart roast after Hart personally asked her to join, later saying she was glad she went to a Los Angeles Sparks game instead.
On Vulture’s “Good One” podcast, Sykes blamed the roast’s failure on “lazy, lazy writing” and said modern roasts recycle sexist, racist and anti-gay jokes, echoing her criticism of the 2024 Tom Brady roast.
That backlash has spread beyond Sykes: Michael Che reportedly exited before the event and later mocked jokes about slavery and sex crimes, while participant Chelsea Handler called material from Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe “gross,” “racist” and “sexist.”
Netflix still drew 13.5 million viewers in one week for the special—just 2% below the Brady roast—showing the controversy did little to dent audience demand.

Sources

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