Tony Hinchcliffe is returning to Netflix with a brand new stand-up special, weeks after he was heavily criticized for his controversial and racially charged jokes on “The Roast of Kevin Hart.”
The backlash also triggered a public clash between the conservative comedian and Chelsea Handler, who accused him and Shane Gillis of pushing comedy into “gross” territory. Hinchcliffe later hit back on his ‘Kill Tony” show, claiming Handler repeatedly targeted him through the roast and “had it coming.”
It has also emerged that the most recent Netflix roast could have reportedly featured Paul McCartney in the new seat, however the rock legend had no real interest in participating.
Netflix is moving ahead with more Hinchcliffe despite the backlash that followed his appearance at “The Roast of Kevin Hart.” The streamer has announced a brand new stand-up special, “Tony Hinchcliffe: Man of the People,” set to premiere on June 9.
In a teaser for the special, the comedian highlights groups he has joked about through the years, declaring that he has mocked “Blacks, Latinos, the whites, the Indians, [and] Asians,” before teasing audiences with the suggestion that no topic is off limits.
Netflix has similarly promoted the project by boasting that Hinchcliffe “tears into every group conceivable.”
The announcement comes months after criticism over jokes made during Hart’s Netflix roast, including remarks about George Floyd. During an appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” Hart later acknowledged the fabric was not “tasteful” for a lot of viewers but defended it as a part of the long-established roast format, arguing that audiences understand racial humor is usually a part of the genre.
Tony Hinchcliffe Fires Back At Chelsea Handler Over Roast Backlash
Hinchcliffe continues to be under fire over his George Floyd joke, and the fallout has now spilled right into a feud with fellow comedian Chelsea Handler.
Handler criticized Hinchcliffe and Shane Gillis on Deon Cole’s “Funny Knowing You” podcast, calling them “racists,” “bigots,” and “sexist,” while arguing that roast comedy could be edgy without becoming “gross.”
Hinchcliffe later fired back during a live recording of his “Kill Tony” podcast, claiming Handler repeatedly targeted him through the roast. He said the teleprompter failed only during his set, giving him room to answer her jabs in real time.
The controversy began after Hinchcliffe joked that Floyd was “looking up” and laughing so hard he “can’t breathe.”
Paul McCartney Reportedly Refused Netflix Roast Request
Before selecting Hart because the major subject of its most up-to-date roast, Netflix reportedly asked The Beatles legend Paul McCartney to take the new seat.
On the age of 83, McCartney has built a legacy that has kept him within the minds of fans across generations. Nevertheless, the octogenarian reportedly had no real interest in taking center stage within the showpiece event.
“We did ask Paul McCartney at one point,” executive producer and “Roastmaster General” Jeff Ross told Variety in an interview.
“To me, that may be a fantasy roast. Paul McCartney doesn’t need anything, but a Paul McCartney roast could be good for the world. It will be so funny to me because he’s so loved,” he added.
Jeff Ross Wants Drake Or Stevie Wonder In The Hot Seat
Apart from McCartney, Ross has also named other high-profile figures he would really like to see tackle the roast format.
Speaking with the outlet in an earlier interview after Hart’s roast, Ross said a pop star, rock star, or rapper would all make strong decisions, before naming a few of his strong personal favorites.
“I could see Drake getting roasted and being an excellent one,” he said.
Ross also singled out Stevie Wonder as one in every of his favorite ideas, joking, “The Roast of Stevie Wonder: You’ve got to listen to it to imagine it.”
Each suggestions drew strong reactions online, with the comedian’s Stevie Wonder pick attracting probably the most attention due to legendary singer’s disability.
Ross Says Kevin Hart Roast Could Open Doors
Launched in 2024, Netflix’s roast franchise has to this point featured only two celebrities in the new seat, with Hart’s recent appearance now fueling demand amongst fans for a 3rd installment.
Ross didn’t say whether one other roast is currently within the works, but suggested that Hart’s appearance could help persuade more high-profile celebrities to take part in the longer term.
“Kevin doing it opens it as much as almost anybody who’s at the highest of their game and desires to point out the world they’re a superb sport,” he told the outlet. “It humanized even Kevin, whom we feel like we all know all the pieces about. It made him show some vulnerability by laughing at himself. Numerous celebrities could use that type of injection of laughter into their profession,” Ross added.