Netflix is putting the comedy legend in the hot seat for a night nobody will forget
Kevin Hart has spent decades making the world laugh — now it is his turn to sit down, shut up, and take it. Netflix has officially announced The Roast of Kevin Hart, a live comedy special set to stream on Sunday, May 10, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The roast will close out the massive Netflix Is a Joke Fest, the largest comedy festival in history, running May 4 through May 10 across Los Angeles. Hart, who has built one of the most recognizable careers in entertainment, is about to find out what it feels like to be on the other side of the mic.
The event takes place at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California — the same iconic venue that hosted Netflix’s first-ever live roast. For fans who want to witness the chaos in person, tickets are still available through Ticketmaster, ranging from $66 to $545.
Kevin Hart Knows Exactly What He Signed Up For
Unlike some roast subjects who walk in blind, Hart is no stranger to this world. He served as Roast Master for the Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber back in 2015, co-hosted and executive produced Netflix’s historic roast of Tom Brady in 2024, and was himself roasted at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor that same year. This time, Hart is stepping into the hot seat as both the subject and an executive producer — meaning he helped build the very fire he is about to sit in.
That level of self-awareness is part of what makes this event so compelling. Hart is not a passive participant. He knows how roasts work, he knows the format, and he knows the people involved. That makes the anticipation even sharper.
Shane Gillis Takes the Wheel as Host
Tapped to host the evening is Shane Gillis, one of the most talked-about voices in stand-up comedy right now. Known for his sharp, unfiltered style, Gillis is also headlining Shane Gillis and Friends at the Hollywood Bowl on May 4 as part of the same festival. His selection as roast host signals that Netflix is not playing it safe — this will be raw, rowdy, and completely unpredictable.
The lineup of comedians who will take turns going after Hart has not been officially revealed yet, which only adds to the suspense. With the Brady roast, names like Nikki Glaser and Peyton Manning were kept under wraps until close to showtime — and the surprises became half the fun.
What the Hart Roast Needs to Top
Netflix set an incredibly high bar with its first live roast. The Greatest Roast of All Time— Tom Brady pulled in over two million viewers on its first night alone, spent three weeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10, reached the Top 10 in 49 countries, and has since accumulated 26 million total views. It earned an Emmy nomination for variety special and launched Nikki Glaser into a new tier of fame almost overnight.
Hart’s roast carries that weight. The question is not whether it will be funny — it is whether it can become a cultural moment on the same level.
How to Watch the Kevin Hart Roast on Netflix
Everything you need to tune in
- Date: Sunday, May 10, 2026
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
- Where to Stream: Netflix — live, on all plans starting at $8.99/month
- Venue: Kia Forum, Inglewood, California
- Host: Shane Gillis
- In-Person Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster, from $66 to $545
The Roast of Kevin Hart arrives as the grand finale of Netflix Is a Joke Fest — a festival featuring 355-plus shows, 440-plus artists, and 45-plus venues across LA. It is the largest comedy event ever assembled, and Hart’s roast is its closing act. No pressure.