Netflix’s Roast of Kevin Hart pulled 13.5 million global views in its first week on the platform, claiming the No. 1 spot on the streamer’s English-language TV chart — though it landed just shy of the benchmark set two years ago by The Roast of Tom Brady, which drew 13.8 million views over the same period.
The gap between the two specials amounts to a 2% decrease in viewership. The comparison carries a certain irony: Hart himself hosted and exec produced the Brady roast before taking his own turn in the hot seat this year.
The Brady roast debuted with 2 million views on its premiere night before building to 13.8 million in its first full week. The Hart roast, by contrast, premiered on the last day of its initial viewing window and wasn’t widely watched enough that evening to make the Netflix Top 10 — though it dominated the following week’s chart regardless.
The live event, streamed from the Kia Forum in Inglewood as the centrepiece of Netflix Is a Joke Fest 2026, was hosted by Shane Gillis. The roasting panel included Sheryl Underwood, Chelsea Handler, Jeff Ross, Pete Davidson, Draymond Green, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Regina Hall. Underwood drew one of the night’s biggest responses, earning a standing ovation for an unfiltered set that wove in raunchy crowd work, celebrity drive-bys, and escalating one-liners.
Tom Brady opened proceedings by presenting Hart with a custom Knicks jersey, signalling early that no one planned to go easy on the comedian. Usher then performed a tailored version of “Let It Burn” in Hart’s honour, and comedy legend Katt Williams arrived as one of the evening’s most anticipated surprise guests. Dwayne Johnson, Teyana Taylor, Lizzo, and Venus and Serena Williams also made appearances.
Hart responded to the numbers on Instagram, writing: “Love and appreciate you guys!!!!!! #ComedicRockStarShit …. @netflix.”
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Netflix’s live roast format has carved out a reliable audience since the Brady special proved the model in 2024. The Hart figures suggest the format holds significant appeal, even as the streamer pushes deeper into live programming across sports, comedy, and events. The Hart roast was the third such special staged as part of Netflix Is a Joke Fest.
