There was a time when I thought Americans were unnaturally courteous and would never slag one another. This is obviously long before Donald Trump. When I watched my first roast, I got a real shock.

They were so mean to each other!

So when I saw who was being roasted this time, I knew I had to watch.

The Roast of Kevin Hart is a chaotic, star-studded, no-holds-barred comedy spectacle that delivers nonstop laughs, surprise appearances, and pure entertainment value as a live Netflix event.

Streamed live on May 10, 2026, from the Kia Forum in Los Angeles as the closing night of Netflix Is a Joke Fest, this nearly three-hour special puts comedy powerhouse Kevin Hart squarely in the hot seat.

Hosted by Shane Gillis with the reliable presence of Roastmaster General Jeff Ross, it assembles a stacked dais of comedians, athletes, actors, and musicians who unload relentlessly on Hart’s height, movie career, personal life, endorsements, and more—while turning the heat on each other just as fiercely.

The result is loud, wildly offensive in the classic roast tradition, and frequently hilarious.What elevates the night is the pure energy and unpredictability. Tom Brady opens by getting his revenge for Hart’s earlier roasting of him, presenting a tiny “newborn-size” Knicks jersey and landing sharp barbs about Hart’s filmography and past.

Usher performs a customized, roasting take on “Let It Burn.” The roster includes Chelsea Handler, Lizzo, Pete Davidson, Draymond Green, Big Jay Oakerson, Tony Hinchcliffe, Regina Hall, and others, with crowd-pleasing surprise turns from Teyana Taylor, Venus and Serena Williams, Katt Williams, and especially Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.Standout moments abound.

It is definitely not for the easily offended. Even I found some comments about Chelses Handler and abortions, somewhat distasteful to say the least. Nothing is held back.

Sheryl Underwood delivers one of the night’s strongest sets—raunchy, unfiltered, and packed with sharp crowd work and comebacks that earn a genuine standing ovation and reset the room’s energy. Tony Hinchcliffe and Pete Davidson also land hard with strong material. The Rock’s entrance is pure spectacle: lasers, pyrotechnics, “We Will Rock You,” and the booming declaration “Finally… daddy’s home,” followed by a committed, raunchy set that fully embraces the chaos.

Katt Williams’ appearance adds extra electricity; the long-running tension gets addressed onstage in a way that feels like a genuine (if still jab-filled) moment of reconciliation amid the insults.Hart himself is the perfect roastee. He takes the barrage with energy, laughter, feigned outrage, and resilience, leaning into the self-aware humor that has defined his career.

By the end he fires back effectively, celebrates the night, and even brings out Meek Mill for a high-energy performance, turning the event into both a brutal takedown and a larger-than-life celebration of his status in comedy and entertainment.The production feels big and live: a packed house (with notable audience faces), strong pacing once it hits its stride, and the kind of crossfire between political and personal jabs that keeps the room (and viewers) engaged.

While some jokes recycle familiar targets and the runtime is generous, the highlights—the surprise guests, Underwood’s dominance, the Rock’s arrival, the best punchlines, and the overall celebrity pile-on—make it one of Netflix’s most entertaining live comedy events. It’s raw, ruthless, and frequently very funny, exactly what a modern roast should be when done with this much star power and commitment.

If you enjoy the classic roast format, big celebrity chaos, and unapologetic comedy, The Roast of Kevin Hart is a highly entertaining watch.

Four stars out of five from me.