Kevin Hart knows exactly what it feels like to sit in the hot seat after becoming the target of a star-studded Netflix roast.
However, while the comedian is open to seeing more celebrities take part in the popular format, there is one entertainment icon he believes should never be subjected to the treatment.
During a recent late-night appearance, Hart shared his thoughts on celebrity roasts, reflected on the most shocking joke aimed at him, and explained why one beloved media mogul should remain completely off-limits.
Fresh off “The Roast of Kevin Hart,” the comedian stopped by “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and discussed which celebrities could potentially headline future roasts.
When asked who might be a good candidate, Kevin Hart pointed to NBA legend LeBron James because of his enormous cultural influence and public profile. However, the conversation quickly shifted when Jimmy Kimmel jokingly suggested another household name.
“What about Oprah? Would that be unacceptable?” Kimmel asked. Hart immediately rejected the idea and made it clear that he would actively try to stop it from happening.
“That’d be like spray painting the Sistine Chapel,” Hart said. The actor continued by explaining just how strongly he feels about the subject.
“If I found out that Oprah said she wanted to do it, I’m driving 100 miles per hour to Oprah’s house. You cannot do this. No shot,” Hart said.
For the “Jumanji” star, Oprah Winfrey occupies a unique place in entertainment, making her someone he believes should be protected from the roast format altogether.
Hart Reveals The Joke That Actually Caught Him Off Guard
Although Kevin Hart insisted that none of the jokes from his Netflix roast genuinely hurt his feelings, one moment did leave him stunned.
According to the comedian, longtime friend and frequent collaborator Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivered the surprise of the night.
“I think uh I think the the the one that caught me off guard [was from] Dwayne,” Hart admitted.
The joke involved a photo of the 46-year-old’s late father that appeared on giant screens inside the venue. The Rock compared a photo of his own father to a mugshot of Hart’s father, creating one of the evening’s biggest laughs.
Hart recalled the wrestler saying, “Look at my dad. Kev, we both love our dads.” The Rock then displayed a photo of his father after a workout before revealing the image of Hart’s father.
“It was the worst picture of my father I’ve ever seen. The worst picture of my father,” Hart said. While the moment surprised him, the Hollywood star acknowledged that he still found it hilarious. “It caught me off guard, but it was funny,” Hart said.
Kevin Hart Explains Why Celebrity Roasts Are Necessary
Beyond the jokes, Hart also spoke about the art of roasting and why he believes the format continues to work.
The “Ride Along”star praised comedians who participate in roasts and said the process requires a unique skill set.
“It’s an actual talent within the idea of roast that comedians have to have to make this work,” he explained.
Hart also believes the success of any roast largely depends on the willingness of the featured guest to embrace the experience.
“Well, I think the beauty of any roast is the roastee being game for whatever is going to happen,” he added.
According to Hart, some celebrities agree to participate without fully understanding what comes with being the center of attention for an entire evening.
Hart Says The Hot Seat Comes With No Guarantees
Continuing his thoughts on the roast format, Kevin Hart explained that participants must be prepared for absolutely anything once they take their seat on stage.
“Sometimes they sit in that chair and don’t really understand what comes with that chair,” he said.
For the star, agreeing to be roasted means accepting that every aspect of your life could become fair game for comedians.
“When you sit in that chair, it’s like, ‘OK, have at it. Like, go have a good time.’ Right?” he asked
Hart’s revelation gave fans a better understanding as to why he appeared so comfortable throughout the three-hour Netflix special despite being the target of relentless jokes from fellow entertainers.
His willingness to laugh at himself became one of the defining features of the event and helped set the tone for the evening.
Kevin Hart Addresses Backlash Surrounding The Netflix Roast
Hart’s comments arrived after “The Roast of Kevin Hart” sparked significant controversy online.
Several jokes from the special were criticized by viewers who argued they crossed the line and contained racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive material.
One of the most talked-about moments involved comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who faced backlash for making a joke about George Floyd during the event.
Recall that Hinchcliffe ended his set midway through Hart’s roast by saying, “You’ve done good, though, Kevin. The Black community is so proud of you. Right now, George Floyd is looking up at us all laughing so hard that he can’t breathe.”
The controversy quickly spread across social media, generating heated debate among viewers about the limits of comedy and roast culture.
Despite the criticism, Hart later defended Hinchcliffe and the joke in question. At the same time, he acknowledged that he personally would not have approached the subject in the same way.
