Paul McCartney Rejected Netflix Roast, Leading to Kevin Hart Taking the Stage

8:49 PM EDT on May 12, 2026

This year, Kevin Hart was the celebrity who faced the wrath of the Netflix roast. But, in a weird turn of events, it turns out the producers tried (and, obviously, failed) to get Paul McCartney first.

The live special is a part of the Netflix Is A Joke Fest, and executive producer Jeff Ross told Variety , "We did ask Paul McCartney at one point," he confirmed. "To me, that would be a fantasy roast. Paul McCartney doesn't need anything, but a Paul McCartney roast would be good for the world. It would be so funny to me because he is  so  loved."

In a recent interview with Variety , Ross contemplated future roast victims: "A pop star or a rock star would be great. A rapper would be great. I could see Drake getting roasted and being a great one. One of my all-time favorite ideas is Stevie Wonder. I always say 'The Roast of Stevie Wonder: You've got to hear it to believe it.'"

A 2025 report from Puck also revealed a candidate that was also considered was Will Smith. A source suggested to Variety that it would've been a way to rehabilitate his image after the infamous Oscar slap.

The Roast Of Kevin Hart is streaming now and predictably sparking controversy. While roasting Tony Hinchcliffe, Pete Davidson called both him and Kanye West a "gay Nazi" while West was in the audience. Watch below.

Comedian Pete Davidson calls Ye a gay Nazi during Netflix's The Roast of Kevin Hart.

Ye was reportedly in attendance and heard the diss first-hand. pic.twitter.com/xSYcKkmscj

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_Originally reported by [Stereogum](https://stereogum.com/2498810/netflix-roasted-kevin-hart-because-paul-mccartney-turned-them-down/news/)._