Story perspectives

Netflix Roast Sparks Backlash, Viewers Dip, Festival Ends

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Wanda Sykes declined the Netflix roast invitation, calling it lazy and recycling sexist, racist, gay jokes.
Michael Che withdrew over scheduling conflicts and later condemned the white writers for slavery and sex-crime jokes.
Chelsea Handler, who performed, called host Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe’s material gross, racist and sexist.
Netflix said roast drew 13.5 million viewers in week, a 2 % decline from Tom Brady roast, and closed Is a Joke festival.

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Story summary

Wanda Sykes declined the Netflix roast invitation, calling it lazy and recycling sexist, racist, gay jokes.
Michael Che withdrew over scheduling conflicts and later condemned the white writers for slavery and sex-crime jokes.
Chelsea Handler, who performed, called host Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe’s material gross, racist and sexist.
Netflix said roast drew 13.5 million viewers in week, a 2 % decline from Tom Brady roast, and closed Is a Joke festival.