Kevin Hart has publicly addressed the backlash surrounding the jokes made by Tony Hinchcliffe during Netflix's Roast of Kevin Hart, particularly those referencing George Floyd.
Controversial Joke Sparks Outrage
Earlier this month, during the roast, Hinchcliffe faced criticism for a joke involving George Floyd, murdered by police in 2020. Hinchcliffe joked, "The Black community is so proud of you," directed at Hart, adding, "Right now, George Floyd is looking up at us all laughing so hard he can’t breathe."
Hart's Defense on The Breakfast Club
On Tuesday, Hart appeared on The Breakfast Club to discuss the backlash. He acknowledged, "Yeah, the George Floyd joke, it wasn’t a tasteful joke to our culture, to our audience, but our audience that’s watching the roast, if you’re watching the roast, you get why they’re doing it. You get why the racial humor is on the table."
Hart emphasized the nature of roasts, saying, "I wasn’t shocked. That’s what they do. Go look at [The Roast of] Tom Brady, like, that’s what they do. It happens every year when they do a roast. It’s not new."
Addressing the Limits of Comedy
When asked if he thought Hinchcliffe's joke went "too far," Hart said, "It’s Tony Hinchcliffe. I don’t expect less. I don’t expect more." He praised Hinchcliffe's performance, stating, "Tony Hinchcliffe arguably had the best set or one of the best sets. Pete [Davidson] had a great set, too. Pete had a Charlie Kirk joke in it. Like, would I tell those jokes? No. But do I get why they’re being told? Yes. I’m not looking at Pete crazy. I’m not looking at Tony. That’s what I know what you’re going to do. I know your style of comedy."
Hart Urges Audiences to Separate Him from the Jokes
Hart also called for audiences not to hold him accountable for the jokes told during the event. "Whatever the dialogue is, my rebuttal is simplicity. Remove me from it. I didn’t say it. If you are upset that the night went on, that’s a different conversation. It’s nothing I could do. It’s a production," he stated, adding, "Stop talking as if I said it."
George Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd, criticized Hart for not intervening, suggesting Hart should have brought "Will Smith energy" and pushed back on Hinchcliffe’s joke during an earlier conversation with Breakfast Club host Loren LoRosa.
Chelsea Handler, another roaster that night, later criticized Hinchcliffe and Shane Gillis, the host of the roast, labeling them as "racist," "bigots," and "sexist."
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/kevin-hart-addresses-backlash-tony-hinchcliffe-roast-jokes-1236606088/
