Paul McCartney Turned Down His Own Netflix Roast (EXCLUSIVE)

Netflix’s recent live roast, headlined by Kevin Hart, nearly featured a completely different star. Before Hart took the hot seat, the streaming giant had its sights set on an even more iconic figure: Sir Paul McCartney. According to insiders who spoke with Variety, producers initially approached the legendary Beatles member to be the guest of honor, hoping to replicate the massive success of the 2024 Tom Brady roast with another cultural titan. McCartney, however, chose to "let it be" and politely declined the offer to be lampooned by a panel of comedians. The 82-year-old musician, whose post-Beatles career with Wings produced timeless hits like 'Band on the Run' and 'Maybe I'm Amazed,' remains one of the most universally adored figures in popular culture. Industry analyst Sarah Thompson of Media Insights noted, "A McCartney roast would have been a ratings goldmine, but his refusal shows the fine line between honoring a legend and risking public backlash." This decision highlights the delicate balance Netflix faces in selecting subjects who are both famous enough to draw crowds and willing to endure public scrutiny. For context, the 2024 Tom Brady roast drew over 10 million live viewers, setting a benchmark for the franchise that McCartney's participation might have easily surpassed.

Jeff Ross, known as the "Roastmaster General" and an executive producer of the franchise, confirmed the approach to Variety and shared his personal disappointment. "We did ask Paul McCartney at one point. To me, that would be a fantasy roast," Ross said. "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." Netflix declined to comment on the matter, and a representative for McCartney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The revelation, however, underscores the platform's ambitious vision for its roast series. Netflix's stand-up comedy chief, Robbie Praw, had previously told Variety that the company had "thrown around a lot of names" for potential roasts. A 2025 report from Puck added another intriguing possibility to the list: Will Smith. Sources suggested that a roast could serve as a unique platform for the actor to rehabilitate his public image by willingly becoming the subject of jokes about his infamous 2022 Oscar slap. The prospect of a superstar like Smith leaning into that controversy for comedic effect illustrates the high-stakes, event-driven nature of the Netflix roast format. The Kia Forum, where Hart's roast was held, is a 17,500-seat venue in Los Angeles that has hosted countless major events, from concerts to award shows, making it a fitting location for such a high-profile production. Notably, the venue was originally known as The Forum and was a key stop for touring acts like The Beatles during their 1964 U.S. tour.

Netflix's roast franchise, which launched in 2024 with a widely acclaimed special skewering NFL champion Tom Brady—hosted by Hart and earning an Emmy nomination for live variety special—aims to elevate the format beyond its Comedy Central origins. The goal, according to Ross, is to create a "Super Bowl of roasting" with truly superstar subjects. "There are a lot of B-list celebrities who want to get roasted. I want it to be like the Super Bowl of roasting," Ross told Variety in November. "Tom Brady I held onto for three years. He retired, unretired, got divorced, then we decided to do it at the Netflix festival. To get a whale sometimes takes a while. We have another festival coming up in May, and I'm pretty confident we'll have a roast in the spring." Looking ahead, Ross has already teased his dream targets for future events. "A pop star or a rock star would be great. A rapper would be great," he said. "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.'" This ambition reflects Netflix's broader strategy of using live events to drive subscriber engagement, a tactic that has seen mixed results with other projects like live sports specials.

The most recent installment, "The Roast of Kevin Hart," took place Sunday night at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles and streamed live on Netflix. Hosted by Shane Gillis, the event featured a formidable lineup of roasters including Chelsea Handler, Pete Davidson, and Regina Hall, along with surprise appearances from Hart's "Jumanji" co-star Dwayne Johnson and his longtime rival Katt Williams. The special demonstrated the franchise's ability to attract major talent and generate significant buzz, even without landing its original top choice. For Ross and the Netflix team, the hunt for the next "whale" continues, with another major roast likely to be announced in the coming months. The question remains: will any living legend be willing to endure a night of brutal, affectionate mockery for the sake of entertainment? Only time—and a few more negotiations—will tell. As the franchise evolves, it may need to explore unconventional subjects, such as political figures or tech moguls, to keep the format fresh and engaging for global audiences. For instance, a roast of a figure like Elon Musk could tap into current cultural debates while drawing massive viewership, though it would require careful handling to avoid alienating segments of the audience.