LIKE ALL ROASTS “THE ROAST OF TOM BRADY” IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART FOR RAUNCHY HUMOR

If you haven’t seen a roast on Comedy Central over the last decade plus, then you may wonder what all the hubbub is all about. A “roast” to the uninitiated is where people get together and make fun of someone that has done great deeds. Since there is nothing more that can be said about them and how good they are their friends get together and rip them instead. It is all in good fun and all done tongue in cheek, but the jokes can be extremely brutal and raunchy. And no one that participates is safe from the words of other presenters and eventually the host. Great comedians used to do shows back in the 70s and 80s with people like Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball being the targets of mean-spirited jokes from friends and colleagues and they were shown on TV. They were tame because they were shown on network television and certain lines couldn’t be crossed, but behind closed doors or private events they were just as bad as what you can see today. Comedy Central brought roasts back about 10 to 15 years ago roasting B list celebrities that were maybe joke worthy with David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson being the butt of the jokes. But as they became extremely popular and buzzworthy the stars being roasted became more mainstream. That brings us to Netflix putting together a “The Roast Of Tom Brady” where the greatest player of all time is ruthlessly badgered by the dais of comedians and friends alike.

This is Netflix’s first live show that they aired this last Sunday and have since posted to watch at your leisure. Kevin Hart was the main host and had his say with Tom to get things going and he was extremely funny, but he isn’t the main reason folks watch these. Over the years there are certain comedians that have become roast staples like Jeff Ross and Nikki Glaser who can unabashedly bash someone with mean lines and sexual inuendo. While Ross hits you right over the head Glaser has quick one-liners and subtle comments that are absolutely biting with her perfect timing. If you only watch one set from the evening, then Glaser is the one you should watch. Twice. What can be even better and sometimes surprising is the friends that tear into the guest of honor. While not everyone hit home runs the night starts off with a bang as Drew Bledsoe, who Brady replaced at quarterback did his best channeling of Dean Martin and scorched the Hall of Fame QB. It was truly funny as he smoothy moved through his set. Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski also had their turns and didn’t do too bad. Surprisingly they even got former head coach and known curmudgeon Bill Belichick to speak and throw some zingers.

Yes, the show is long clocking in at 3 hours, but you will be laughing so much you will hardly notice. The show moves along smoothly and other than a few lulls in the comedic intensity the pacing is very good. I’ll warn you one more time: the jokes uttered are very raunchy, vile, insulting, and cross boarder after boarder to bring a level of uncomfortable that you may never feel again. Don’t watch this with the kids or with anyone that is easily offended or if you are. If you can handle that then you will find yourself laughing with tears in your eyes and being shocked by how far they take things. I suppose if you really hate Tom Brady (I’m looking at you Atlanta Falcons fans) then you might also feel good he’s getting knocked down a peg or two.