Paul McCartney Declines Netflix Roast Offer

Producers of Netflix's live celebrity roast specials approached Paul McCartney to be the subject of an event ahead of this weekend's edition featuring Kevin Hart, but the Beatles legend declined the offer.

The Roast of Kevin Hart took place Sunday night at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles as part of the Netflix Is a Joke Fest. Comedian Jeff Ross, known as the Roastmaster General and an executive producer of the franchise, confirmed the outreach to McCartney. "We did ask Paul McCartney at one point," Ross said. "To me, that would be a fantasy roast. Paul McCartney doesn't need anything, but a Paul McCartney roast would be good for the world. It would be so funny to me because he is so loved."

The proposal came as Netflix sought to build on the success of its 2024 debut roast of Tom Brady, which was hosted by Hart and earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding live variety special. That event drew massive viewership and established the format as a high-profile streaming spectacle, distinct from past Comedy Central roasts by focusing on superstar subjects during live festivals.

Netflix standup comedy chief Robbie Praw indicated that producers considered multiple high-profile names. Will...