Welcome to the official podcast of Roast Battle League NYC with hosts Dan Wickes and Scott Hall. Guest JP MCDADE
JP McDade pulls back the curtain on writing for The Roast of Kevin Hart. From behind-the-scenes roast writing to the internet backlash, controversy, and debate over where comedy “crosses the line,” this episode gets into everything people are arguing about right now.
Was the roast hilarious? Too far? Overblown backlash? We break down the jokes, the writers’ room, Shane Gillis, Tony Hinchcliffe, Netflix, and why the internet can’t stop talking about it.
00:00 - Introduction & The "Lost Tapes" with JP McDade
02:10 - JP’s Semi-Retirement from Roast Battling
04:40 - Writing for the Roast of Kevin Hart
06:15 - Backstage with Shane Gillis
08:25 - Deep Dive: The History of New York Roast Battles
11:15 - Colin Quinn & the Genius of "Cop Show"
12:50 - The Art of Hosting: Shane Gillis at the Roast
14:00 - The Reality of Comedy Writer Rooms
40:05 - Cheryl Underwood & Breakout Stars of the Night
43:00 - Genuine Animosity vs. Roast "Kayfabe"
48:00 - Sentimental Moments with the Roast Writing Crew
51:15 - Building the Roasted New York Community
53:15 - Audience Q&A: Favorite Jokes & Writing Secrets
1:01:05 - Worst of the Week
1:12:00 - Final Plugs & Upcoming Shows