Kevin Hart Addresses Backlash Following Netflix Roast

Kevin Hart is currently navigating a wave of public backlash following the release of The Roast of Kevin Hart on Netflix. The controversy centers on a specific joke regarding the death of George Floyd, delivered by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe during the event.

While the special was intended to be a celebratory tribute to the veteran comedian and actor, the material presented by Hinchcliffe sparked immediate outrage among viewers. During his set, Hinchcliffe made a reference to Floyd, stating that he was “looking up at us all laughing so hard he can’t breathe.”

Hinchcliffe, who has frequently courted controversy, recently garnered significant national attention for a set performed at Madison Square Garden during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The inclusion of such sensitive subject matter in a roast format has reignited debates regarding the boundaries of comedy.

Social Justice Leader Tamika Mallory expressed her strong disapproval via Instagram, stating, “there is literally NOTHING funny about how George Floyd was m*rdered. Allowing that white man or any other man to stand up there and disrespect US, while laughing, is disgusting. Part of the reason Black folks continue to face SEVERE attacks against our rights, is because some of us think everything is shits and giggles. It wasnt funny AT ALL.”

Public reaction online has been deeply divided. Some viewers argued that the nature of a roast inherently invites boundary-pushing material, while others maintained that certain tragedies should remain off-limits regardless of the comedic context.

Kevin Hart Responds

In what appears to be a direct response to the criticism, Kevin Hart shared a video on Instagram defending the nature of the event. He stated, “that, my friend, is what the f*ck a roast is supposed to be — hard-hitting, relentless jokes.”