Paul McCartney reportedly turns down Netflix celebrity roast offer

Paul McCartney reportedly declined a Netflix roast offer before Kevin Hart’s comedy special event aired

Paul McCartney was reportedly approached to be the subject of a Netflix roast but ultimately declined the offer, according to a report from Variety.

The streaming platform had initially considered the former Beatle as a major target for its expanding roast franchise before Kevin Hart fronted the latest live event.

Jeff Ross, known as the “Roastmaster General” and executive producer of Netflix’s roast specials, confirmed the approach during an interview. He described the idea as a “fantasy roast,” adding that McCartney would have been an ideal subject due to his global reputation and widespread admiration.

“We did ask Paul McCartney at one point,” Ross said, noting that while the musician “doesn’t need anything,” a roast centred on him would have been highly entertaining. Netflix declined to comment on the matter, and representatives for McCartney did not immediately respond.

The Netflix roast franchise began in 2024 with the widely discussed Tom Brady special, which set a high benchmark for future events and earned award recognition. Since then, the platform has continued developing the format, with executive producers exploring additional high-profile names.

For the most recent instalment, Kevin Hart took centre stage at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with comedian Shane Gillis hosting the live event. The special continued Netflix’s strategy of pairing major celebrity figures with high-energy, unfiltered comedy formats designed for global streaming audiences.

Ross also hinted that future potential targets could include artists such as Drake and Stevie Wonder, suggesting Netflix is continuing to expand its slate of celebrity-focused comedy specials.