Netflix roast writers reveal jokes removed from Kevin Hart live special

The Roast of Kevin Hart delivered plenty of brutal celebrity jokes during its livestream on Netflix, but several of the harshest punchlines never made it into the final broadcast. New details published after the event revealed that jokes about Lizzo, the #MeToo movement and the Riyadh Comedy Festival were among the material ultimately left unused.

The roast aired as part of the NETFLIX IS A JOKE comedy festival and featured comedians and celebrity guests taking aim at Kevin Hart throughout the night. The panel included Shane Gillis, Pete Davidson, Chelsea Handler, Regina Hall, Tony Hinchcliffe and Sheryl Underwood, while surprise appearances came from names including Tom Brady, Dwayne Johnson and Usher.

Following the special, comedy writer Madison Sinclair discussed some of the jokes that had been prepared but excluded from the final livestream. One unused line targeted Lizzo’s appearance in Hustlers, joking about barriers being broken during her performance in the 2019 film. Another scrapped joke referenced the #MeToo movement and framed Hart as being shocked by the idea of consent, while a separate line mocked Hart’s participation in the Saudi backed Riyadh Comedy Festival.

Netflix has not publicly confirmed why the jokes were removed, though reports suggested timing and editorial decisions may have played a role. The omitted material quickly spread online after being discussed in post show interviews, reigniting debate about where comedy roasts should draw the line when addressing sensitive cultural issues.

The roast itself still contained several deeply personal attacks. One of the most talked about moments arrived when Tom Brady appeared unexpectedly onstage to mock Hart over his past cheating scandal involving model Montia Sabbag in Las Vegas. Brady joked about “affairs in Las Vegas” while referencing Hart’s highly publicised 2017 controversy, which resulted in the comedian publicly apologising to his wife, Eniko Hart.

The exchange drew immediate reactions across social media, particularly because Hart had heavily roasted Brady during Netflix’s 2024 special centred on the former NFL player. Many viewers described Brady’s appearance as revenge for the previous event, with clips circulating widely online within hours of the livestream ending.

Roast culture has continued to thrive on streaming platforms despite growing criticism over offensive humour and controversial material. Netflix in particular has leaned heavily into celebrity roasts as part of its comedy programming strategy, banking on viral moments and audience reactions to fuel online discussion long after the events air.