Roast (comedy)

A roast is an event in which an individual is subject to publicly bearing insults, praise, outlandish true and untrue stories, and heartwarming tributes. It is seen as a great honor to be roasted, as the individual is surrounded by friends, fans, and well-wishers, who can receive some of the same treatment as well during the course of the evening. The party and presentation itself are called a roast. The host of the event is called the roastmaster.

Related Topics:
Insult - Tribute - Honor

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The Friars Club has held celebrity roasts in private since the 1920s. Only recently has the public been invited to see them. Dean Martin hosted a series of roasts on television during the 1960s and 1970s as part of The Dean Martin Show. The humor at these broadcast tributes was far tamer than the sometimes extremely vulgar and explicit language of the private, non-televised ones.

Related Topics:
Friars Club - Celebrity - 1920s - Dean Martin - Television - 1960s - 1970s - The Dean Martin Show

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Currently on television, Comedy Central occasionally broadcasts roasts of comedians. They had a few shows inspired by the Friars Club. To date, Comedy Central has aired roasts of Rob Reiner, Drew Carey, Chevy Chase, Hugh Hefner, Denis Leary, Jeff Foxworthy, and Pamela Anderson. (see also: List of roast TV shows)

Related Topics:
Comedy Central - Rob Reiner - Drew Carey - Chevy Chase - Hugh Hefner - Denis Leary - Jeff Foxworthy - Pamela Anderson - List of roast TV shows

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Many other organizations hold roasts now, mostly in private. But the overall tone of any true roast is supposed to be admiration and congratulations.

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Anyone who is honored in such a way is said to have been "roasted".

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