Wanda Sykes Reveals Why She Turned Down Kevin Hart Roast, Criticizes Its “Racist, Gay Jokes”
Wanda Sykes revealed that she declined Kevin Hart’s Netflix roast after Hart personally invited her before the event was announced. Speaking to Vulture, Sykes said she turned it down and later felt relieved that she chose instead to attend a Los Angeles Sparks WNBA game. On the “Good One” podcast, she explained that she believed the roast failed because of “lazy writing,” arguing that modern roasts often rely on recycled sexist, racist, and anti-gay jokes. She also said she felt the same problem affected the 2024 Tom Brady roast.
Sykes’ comments add to a growing wave of criticism aimed at “The Roast of Kevin Hart.” Variety previously reported that comedian Michael Che had initially agreed to appear but later withdrew because of scheduling conflicts. Che then criticized the roast on social media, especially jokes he felt crossed the line with slavery and sexual violence references. Chelsea Handler, who participated in the event, later said some of the material from hosts Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe was “gross,” and she described parts of the roast as racist and sexist.
Despite the backlash from several comedians, the roast performed strongly for Netflix. The special drew 13.5 million viewers in its first week, only a slight drop from the previous Tom Brady roast. The event aired on the final night of the Netflix Is a Joke festival and included performances from comedians such as Sheryl Underwood and Katt Williams, along with celebrity appearances from Regina Hall and Dwayne Johnson.
Sykes’ remarks highlight an ongoing debate about the direction of celebrity roasts, with critics saying the format has become overly dependent on offensive clichés rather than sharp, original comedy. Her decision to skip the event, and her blunt reaction afterward, underscore how divisive the roast became even as it delivered a major audience for Netflix.
