Jamal Bryant is weighing in on the controversy surrounding The Roast of Kevin Hart, calling the viral Netflix event “disrespect dressed as jokes” after clips from the show sparked days of backlash online.
In a Threads post shared on Tuesday, May 12, Bryant reposted a screenshot from a discussion about the roast and criticized the special's tone. “The Kevin hart roast wasn’t comedy it was disrespect dressed as jokes,” Bryant wrote. “In this climate for it to go unchecked is to give consent.”
Bryant’s comment prompted a heated exchange in the comments section. One user questioned why Bryant was watching “secular programming,” while another responded that paying for streaming services gives viewers the right to watch whatever they want. The comment also elicited reactions from multiple users, who debated whether criticizing the roast conflicted with consuming mainstream entertainment in the first place.
During the live Netflix event, Tony Hinchcliffe joked, “Her husband committed suicide three years into the marriage. I’ve been sitting next to her for two hours, and I have to ask: how did he last that long?”
Host Shane Gillis also repeatedly referenced the tragedy throughout the night.
Despite the backlash, Underwood later defended the comedians and the roast format itself. Speaking with TMZ after the event, she said, “Freedom of speech is alive and well at Netflix,” while making it clear she was not personally offended by the material.
Underwood even responded with jokes of her own during the roast, targeting Hinchcliffe directly from the podium.
The roast itself was positioned as the closing event for Netflix Is a Joke Fest 2026 and featured appearances from stars including Tom Brady, Usher, Katt Williams, Chelsea Handler, Jeff Ross, and Dwayne Johnson.
