During a Wednesday appearance on the Funny Knowing You podcast with Deon Cole, Chelsea Handler expressed her profound disapproval of the jokes delivered by Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe at Netflix's Roast of Kevin Hart, labeling them as "racist," "bigoted," and "sexist." The comedian shared that she had received messages from their alleged former partners, who conveyed to her their sentiments about the comedians' behaviors.
When asked if she found any of their jokes amusing during the roast, Handler replied with a firm "No," adding, "It was ick. It was gross." She went on to criticize specific jokes made by Gillis and Hinchcliffe, starting with Gillis's joke about lynchings. "Jokes about lynching Black people, lynching is not a joke. That's worse than rape," Handler stated emphatically.
In response to Handler's comments, Gillis shared a statement with The Hollywood Reporter, saying, "This is a big moment for Chelsea. I am glad she's capitalizing. Good for her. We're all rooting for her. Come see me July 17 at the football stadium in Philly."
Handler also took issue with Hinchcliffe's jokes aimed at Sheryl Underwood, particularly his reference to her late husband Michael Sparkman's suicide. "I find that to be gross. I found them making fun of Sheryl Underwood's dead husband, who committed suicide, is gross," she said. "If she says she's fine with that, she's fine with that. I wasn't fine with that."
Moreover, Hinchcliffe's joke about George Floyd drew significant criticism from Handler. "The Black community is so proud of you," he had said of Hart. "Right now, George Floyd is looking up at us all laughing so hard he can't breathe."
Handler concluded her thoughts on the matter by stating, "There was so much disgustingness that I knew it would be a gross vibe that I could elevate no problem."
