The Netflix comedy special Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year divided fans as some of them felt like the jokes were inappropriate and tasteless and did not age well by the time it was released on the platform.
The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady was a huge hit when it aired on Netflix earlier this year despite the athlete's regret in participating afterward, but the yearend special did not get the same reception.
Let's explore the special's divisive response.
What is Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year
Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year is a night of big laughs and big surprises as Ross and a team of comedians bid good riddance to 2024 the only way they know how — by throwing shade at the biggest moments of the past 12 months.
Jeff Ross served as the roastmaster of the special. He was joined by Tim Dillon, Hannah Berner, John Stamos, Sam Morril, Mark Normand, Ms. Pat, and many more.
The special premiered globally on Netflix last December 27 to mixed responses as some viewers enjoyed the event while some did not find most of the jokes to be hilarious enough.
Why Fans Are Divided Over Torching 2024
As mentioned, the reception toward Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year has been divisive as some of the jokes felt inappropriate and tasteless.
One of the jokes that have been criticized is Hannah Berner's remarks on Blake Lively's controversial It Ends with Us press tour.
"The word c**t was trending this year. I don’t think Blake Lively was that bad," she joked in the special.
However, by the time the special was released, the news of Lively's lawsuit against It Ends with Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni over alleged sexual harassment and social media smear campaign made headlines and fans found the joke to be untimely.
Berner eventually clarified her joke in an Instagram story post and explained that the special was taped before the lawsuit took place. She also expressed her support for Lively.
"My joke in the Netflix roast was filmed before news of the lawsuit. To be 100 percent clear, I support Blake," she said.
Despite all of that, Netflix has not edited out the joke from the special or added a disclaimer.
In the end, comedy specials will always be a subject of polarizing discourse, especially in a roast and it would be interesting to see whether this will discourage Netflix from doing another yearend roast special when 2025 wraps.
What do you think of the special? Let us know in the comments!
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