Chelsea Handler has criticized comedians Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe for their performances during Netflix’s Roast of Kevin Hart, calling their jokes “racist,” “sexist,” and offensive.
Handler Slams Jokes at Kevin Hart Roast
During a Wednesday appearance on the Funny Knowing You podcast with Deon Cole, Handler revealed she had received messages from alleged former partners of Gillis and Hinchcliffe confirming their behavior. “It’s just everything we know, that they’re racist, that they’re bigots, they’re sexist,” she said.
When asked whether she found any of the jokes funny, Handler responded bluntly: “No. I mean, it was ick. It was gross.” She specifically condemned Gillis’ joke about lynching: “Kevin is so short, you’d have to lynch him from a bonsai tree.” Handler said, “Jokes about lynching Black people, lynching is not a joke. That’s worse than rape.”
Response From Shane Gillis
Gillis issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, appearing unfazed by Handler’s comments: “This is a big moment for Chelsea. I am glad she’s capitalizing. Good for her. We’re all rooting for her. Anyway come see me July 17 at the football stadium in Philly.”
Criticism of Tony Hinchcliffe
Handler also criticized Hinchcliffe for targeting Sheryl Underwood in his routine, referencing the suicide of her late husband, Michael Sparkman. “I find that to be gross. I found them making fun of Sheryl Underwood’s dead husband, who committed suicide, is gross,” Handler said. “You know, she’s fine with that. If she says she’s fine with that, she’s fine with that. I wasn’t fine with that.”
Elsewhere, Hinchcliffe was criticized for a joke referencing George Floyd: “The Black community is so proud of you,” he said of Hart. “Right now, George Floyd is looking up at us all laughing so hard he can’t breathe.”
Representatives for Hinchcliffe did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Handler’s Takeaway
Handler concluded that the roast had a “gross vibe” but expressed confidence that she could elevate the conversation. “There was so much disgustingness, that I knew it was gonna be a gross vibe that I would be able to elevate it no problem,” she said.
