Nikki Glaser Shares Secrets From the Roast of Tom Brady
Summary
TLDRThe transcript discusses the experience of participating in a celebrity roast, specifically targeting Tom Brady. The speaker, who sees themselves as a skilled roaster, talks about their strategic decision to take part due to the significance of roasting Brady. They detail their process of preparation and the mental and emotional challenges involved in executing a roast that balances humor with sensitivity. They also reflect on the dynamics of the event, including interactions with other celebrities and the audience's reception. The speaker contemplates the impact of the roast on their career, expressing that it marked a significant moment, elevating their visibility and reputation.
Takeaways
- π The speaker highlights the challenge and excitement of performing at a roast, especially when the subject is a significant figure like Tom Brady.
- π€ Despite initial reluctance, the speaker was motivated to participate in the roast due to the high-profile nature of the event and the personal challenge it represented.
- π Preparation and hard work were emphasized as crucial for success in a high-pressure comedic environment like a roast.
- π The speaker discusses the internal conflict of wanting to perform well while being mindful of the potential to hurt people's feelings with harsh jokes.
- π Personal growth and the development of empathy were noted as factors that influenced the speakerβs approach to roasting compared to their past experiences.
- π The speaker expresses admiration for other performers, particularly for their ability to handle the dynamics of live performances and engage the audience effectively.
- π There's a comparison between the different production styles and experiences of roasts on Comedy Central and Netflix, noting that a live event adds a unique layer of excitement and challenge.
- π The selection process for a roast's lineup and order of appearance is described as somewhat opaque and unpredictable, adding another layer of complexity for the participants.
- π The speaker reflects on the personal significance of the event, considering it a major milestone in their career that has elevated their public profile.
- π Post-event feelings are mixed with satisfaction from the performance and anxiety about the future, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster associated with high-profile public appearances.
Q & A
What was the speaker's initial hesitation about participating in the roast?
-The speaker initially hesitated to participate in roasts again due to the discomfort of being subjected to harsh jokes, particularly after considering the level of celebrities involved like the Jonas Brothers.
How did the speaker manage to secure a spot in Tom Brady's roast?
-The speaker reached out to Robbie Praw at Netflix, claiming to be the 'Tom Brady of roasting' and emphasizing a strong work ethic and commitment to performing well, which eventually helped secure a spot in the roast.
What kind of preparation did the speaker undertake for the roast?
-The speaker worked extensively on the material, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation and hard work to meet the expectations set by the high-profile nature of the roast.
How does the speaker describe their approach to dealing with the potential emotional impact of the roast on others?
-The speaker expressed a newfound sense of empathy and concern for others' feelings, which influenced their decision-making process about which jokes to use, aiming to avoid overly mean-spirited humor.
What was Ben Affleck's reaction during the roast, according to the speaker?
-Ben Affleck reportedly left the stage immediately after his segment and did not return, possibly due to dissatisfaction with how the event was unfolding or discomfort with the jokes made about him.
How does the speaker view the impact of the live format on the success of the roast?
-The speaker believed that the live format contributed significantly to the roast's success, as it added a sense of immediacy and urgency that engaged the audience more effectively than a pre-recorded show might have.
What was Tony Hinchcliffe's performance like during the roast?
-Tony Hinchcliffe delivered a strong performance, confidently handling the audience and other comedians with smooth and well-crafted jokes, which the speaker likened to a rock star's presence.
How did the speaker feel about their performance after the roast?
-The speaker felt overwhelmed and anxious, questioning whether they had been too harsh and how their performance was received by the audience.
What were the differences between the Comedy Central and Netflix versions of the roast, according to the speaker?
-The main difference noted by the speaker was the live format on Netflix, which made the event more thrilling and impactful compared to the edited versions typically aired on Comedy Central.
What does the speaker foresee as the future impact of this roast on their career?
-The speaker anticipates that this roast will be a significant milestone, marking a new level of recognition and possibly the biggest moment in their career due to the widespread attention it garnered.
Outlines
π€ Reflecting on a High-Stakes Comedy Roast
The speaker recounts their experience participating in a comedy roast of Tom Brady, highlighting their initial reluctance due to the vulnerability involved in such events. Despite past experiences, they were drawn to the roast because of Brady's stature. The speaker reached out to a Netflix contact, positioning themselves as a dedicated participant akin to Brady's own work ethic. Throughout the preparation, they focused on delivering a performance that balanced humor with respect for the feelings of others, a shift from their previous approach to roasting.
π Behind the Scenes and Performer Dynamics
The narrative shifts to behind-the-scenes details of the roast, particularly interactions with other celebrities like Ben Affleck, who appeared reluctant and left quickly after his part. The speaker discusses the challenges faced by performers, like the risk of a joke failing and affecting the entire set, as happened with Affleck. The structure of the event prevented much interaction among participants before the show, contrasting with previous events where performers could meet and greet beforehand.
π Navigating the Pressure of Live Comedy
The speaker discusses their strategy for the roast, aiming to perform early to ease their nerves. They compare the Netflix version of the roast, which was live, to previous Comedy Central roasts that were edited, noting how the live element added unique pressure but also authenticity. They detail the advice and support received from friends and the importance of crafting a narrative within the roast, not just delivering jokes. The discussion also highlights the camaraderie and mutual support among performers, particularly in handling the newfound attention and pressure.
π Post-Show Reflections and Personal Impact
Post-event, the speaker reflects on the immediate aftermath and their interactions, or lack thereof, with Tom Brady, feeling a professional respect but personal distance. They describe feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of the event, struggling with anxiety about their performance. The discussion includes the logistical challenges of attending subsequent media appearances, which added to the stress. The speaker acknowledges the significant impact of the event on their career, marking it as a pivotal moment.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Roast
π‘Preparation
π‘Empathy
π‘Performance Anxiety
π‘Set
π‘Backstage Dynamics
π‘Reputation
π‘Feedback
π‘Public Persona
π‘Resilience
Highlights
The speaker expressed reluctance about participating in roasts due to the discomfort of being made fun of.
The speaker was motivated to participate in the Tom Brady roast, viewing it as a significant opportunity and sought to convince Robbie Praw by asserting they were the 'Tom Brady of roasting'.
Despite their self-doubt, the speaker committed to working hard for the roast, likening themselves to a 'sixth-round draft pick' who proves themselves through effort.
The roast environment was described as challenging, with the realization of potentially hurting people's feelings adding pressure to the performers.
The speaker reflected on the evolution of their perspective on roasts, now considering people's feelings, unlike five years ago.
A specific strategy for joke delivery was discussed, highlighting the risk of committing to a single premise that could jeopardize the entire performance if it fails.
Ben Affleck's quick exit from the roast after his segment was noted, with speculation on his motivations for leaving early.
The process of arranging the order of performers at a roast was discussed, revealing some behind-the-scenes decision-making.
The speaker described a shift in the roast format from a pre-show mingling on Comedy Central to a more isolated approach on Netflix.
The speaker highlighted the differences between live and edited roast formats, suggesting that live roasts present a unique set of challenges and opportunities for raw expression.
A discussion about the dynamics of performing first in a roast lineup, which is preferred by the speaker to reduce anxiety and enjoy the event more fully after performing.
The presence and effect of celebrity dropouts from the roast were noted, impacting the preparation and expectations of the remaining performers.
The speaker mentioned the importance of Tony Hinchcliffe's performance at the roast, describing it as a 'rockstar' level execution that influenced the audience's reception.
The aftermath of the roast included personal reflections, a sense of overwhelming public and personal response, and a series of high-profile media appearances.
The speaker articulated a newfound recognition and validation from the public and industry following their successful performance at the roast.
Transcripts
yeah let's talk about the Roose
congratulations thanks first of all you
were so funny thanks and not that you
weren't going to be but I think it's a
tough environment to do it in um yeah I
W I didn't even want to do a roast again
like I I don't know the idea of roasting
like the Jonas Brothers not that they
even asked me to do that roast but when
that was I was like oh that's the level
where you already did that one yeah
which was fun and I probably would
entertain it but it was like you it's I
I just didn't want to put myself up to
be made fun of like it's just not worth
it to me if it's not a big deal and Tom
Brady I'm like this is a big deal so I I
wrote uh I think Robbie praw the guy at
Netflix who books everyone and um I I I
think I wrote to him and or he wrote to
me about something else and I go I I saw
this Tom Brady roast this is like six
months ago W and I was like I want that
and he was like I'm actually meeting
with Tom pretty soon I was like tell Tom
I'm the Tom Brady of roasting and that
it's it's not going to be a Tom Brady
roast without the best roter there is
right now and I did I believe that at
the time no like but I know I what I
meant was I'll work the hardest yeah
like I I might be a six round draft pick
but I'll [Β __Β ] I'll I'll prove to
everyone by working hard I won't I will
not take this lightly this is a big
opport like and so I don't even know if
he communicated that to him but I did I
remember like I never talk myself up in
that way like I'm really not very good
at being like I can do this but I really
did feel like I could and so I thought
oh if I can appeal to Tom's sense of
like I have work ethic like you do and I
won't phone this in this is you're a big
deal I'm like get me and so when I got
it I was like you this is the you have
to give it everything right if you ask
for the ball you have to [Β __Β ] you
have to everything yes so I the amount
of I worked on that I don't love working
that hard but you just have to ask for
help you just have to have ask for help
in terms of like stopping other things
and having people protect you from
getting overworked you think it's funny
and easy it's going to be cool but then
you get up there and the people are
right there and you're like oh my God
this is going to hurt some people's
feelings and I have to say this stuff
yes so that was when I realized how how
tough what a tough moment it is um do
you feel that when you're doing it I I I
thought no I don't actually I the only
time I if you sign up for a roast like I
understand maybe the first roast that
ever happened and I would feel bad cuz
like what is this and I wrote all these
jokes but like go watch roast
compilations that's what's coming at you
if you agreed to do this you are opening
yourself up to that but what if you sign
up for a cont say you sign up for
something where somebody's going to call
you a fa GG T right you sign up for it
somebody's like that's the thing you
want to sign up you're like yeah I'll
sign up for it dude and it seems chill
you're whatever you're backstage prac
like a good time yeah you're backstage
practicing or whatever like how you're
going to react when they call you right
but then you go out it's literally Tom
Brady in the bowels of the Kia Forum the
other night is practicing what to look
like when they call him that word
probably yes that's what I heard is that
you know he was nervous beforeand he's
probably more worried about his own set
than thinking about the reactions but I
think that's a part of being on a roast
where you have to like think about what
you're going to do when they make fun of
you yeah yeah I can't hide my feelings I
think it would be tough yeah it is tough
that's why I so glad that I would like
next time they'll come at me hard
because I'll be known but this time no
one knows me so no one came at me I mean
there were a couple jokes but nothing
but that consistent every person's going
to hit you I would hate that I'm going
to hate that and it will be it I'll be
old
my face will have more things in it that
will make it look weird for people to
make fun like you know like there'll be
there'll be more fodder and it will hurt
a lot a lot so you agree though that
there's some pain there oh so much pain
but I did like you like I said I before
when I've been doing roast I never
thought about people's feelings and I
think the last roast I did was five
years ago and in that time I think I've
worked on myself enough to have empathy
and like not want to hurt people and so
this time I was really worried about it
and like I'm not saying this joke about
Jeff Ross it's too mean and I don't even
believe it I don't want to say this joke
about Bert Cher only having one joke I
don't even feel that way but it's like
my friends kept reminding me it's a
roast this is what it is and they signed
up for it don't pull back it's just it's
this right so I just but I fought it a
lot there were some jokes I didn't do
just be and wouldn't even say here
because I was just like they came from
such a mean place and I could never ever
say that to someone's face but two five
years ago I definitely would have done
that joke really so you think you were
toned down this time yeah I mean but for
the right in the right way like I think
it resonated because I hit the exact
right tone like you do you do that slave
joke and I could have lost people
because they're just like why did she
say slave like it the set was built
perfectly anymore yeah I know it was B
built perfectly so that it was uh didn't
offend it but I didn't I didn't pull
back I found ways to like go just as
hard in the way that I wanted to I think
oh yeah I thought it was really
masterful I um thanks man yeah it was
really really cool and then yeah you
just see you everywhere and everybody's
like she killed it this [Β __Β ] is it
she's the [Β __Β ] honk cardi B people
are saying oh Ben Affleck what was what
was he like I'm always a fascin I'm such
a fan you didn't no he just we didn't
meet even Brady before the show began we
just like got miked got sat and then all
of a sudden the show starts is that one
of the reasons they I think so there's
no no because in I guess maybe this's a
different production company this time
different network it used to be Comedy
Central we would all hang out a little
bit before like five minutes before you
shake their hand like the guy you're
about to roast but there was none of
that this time and then Affleck I think
just wanted in and out cuz he didn't
want anyone to even know he was there to
be roasted and I think he was supposed
to stay on stage after he got done but
he [Β __Β ] it he booked it out of there
because Tom referenced him in his set at
some point and and it was written in the
prompter as if Ben would still be there
and he was gone so I think either he got
out because it didn't go the way he
wanted it to or he got out because he's
like Fu I didn't realize it was going to
be this kind of thing I'm I'm not going
to sit there and get jokes told about me
damn so but yeah it was uh that was it
was weird so he was just in and out in
and out yeah
um and yeah what was it like when he was
up there what's it like when somebody's
up there and they are trying something
right and it's maybe not being perceived
or going over as well right we all do
that it's like trying a new joke it's a
brave way to do it it just sucks for him
that in the reason his set went poorly
um is because he committed to a joke
that is the whole like if the joke
doesn't work the whole set's gone
because the whole set was this one
premise of I'm reading a tweet and I'm
talking back to this guy oh so if it the
first joke bombs the whole that's what's
based he didn't switch to another joke
like for me one of my joke bombs I can
get it back in the next one totally
different reset but his was all about
this one thing so much risk it was it
was it was not a good something either
he didn't prepare well enough or
something happened but it was but it
could have happened to anyone it's just
yeah it happened to him and it sucked
he's always been a risk taker though I
feel like yeah and he doesn't give a
[Β __Β ] like no one's even talking about
whatever that was like it'll be
forgotten he'll be fine and he is a RIS
taker I like that he even did it um and
he had a point of view you can tell it
like he the whole premise of it was like
I I Tom handed me my his phone one day
and I saw his messages and I couldn't
even fathom what the hate he was getting
so he started talking to that one of
those people that was tweeting at him
and you could tell he was just really
that was his Vendetta he wanted to say
something to the fans because he's been
attacked so much so never a break like
he wanted to get something out that was
inside of him it just didn't come out
the right way but it was a good premise
I think that was personal for him and
obviously to Tom of getting so much hate
like do you jockey for position with the
roast on where you get to be in the
order tried you know I said I want to go
first how does that work you just like
wait for them to tell you what the [Β __Β ]
is going on because I there's no like
you don't know a lot they're just like
here's who's going to be on and then you
find out like oh that person dropped out
a week ago and I'm like okay well I've
been writing about them for a like can
you tell me like it's kind of like like
who dropped out Mike Tyson um and then
someone else I'll tell you off air but
yeah like so there man or woman I'm
going to ask three questions there
actually three men that dropped off two
comedians mhm uh Mike Tyson and then one
uh celebrity guy three comedians Mike
Tyson Two comedians two comedians uh and
they were men yeah and I don't even know
if they were confirmed I maybe they were
just names that were floated I wish oh I
because I I'm I'm friends with him
enough to be like what don't drop out
what are you doing this is great for you
you know but um no it wasn't it wasn't
him and I don't don't tell us any names
cuz I can't lie and I'll make you cut it
I can't think of other people oh good
great I'm so glad your brain is doing
exactly what you said it was doing
before tell you dud the idea is just
empty yeah dang um but Mike Tyson so he
didn't want to do it or he just could
who knows who knows it he could have had
something that he had to go I think at
one point grank was supposed to miss it
he was on it and then they took him off
cuz he had to go to a wedding and then
he decided to come back on and I was
like thank God he made that row so like
it wouldn't have been the same without
him so I'm so so glad he he decided to
do it the people that dropped out would
have been great but it wasn't like they
were weren't showstoppers in terms of
like what's going to happen they would
have killed though I'm there's one in
particular that I'm like come on man
what are you doing you should have done
it and I think he daveid Tel probably I
wish he I mean he'd be amazing at it
I've never seen him do a roast though I
thought too but yeah I I wanted to go
first because that's where I gone before
right after the host just open it up and
then I'm done and I can relax and just
enjoy the night I don't want to sit
there all night like thinking about set
and like I just want to be done I always
want to go first on shows I I just don't
want to wait around and think that's how
I am during sex dude you know and people
with yeah girls don't understand it see
I want them to go first and then like so
I don't have to worry about pleasing me
dude yes exactly that's that yeah you're
the same way yes yes I want to go first
get my work done and then I can relax
and get my stuff done oh I see what you
like after I got you off like now I feel
like I can just relax if I'm if like you
know if I it's like when you massage
someone and you're like I'll massage you
after this like I can't enjoy the
massage cuz I'm like I have to massage
this [Β __Β ] after this like so it's kind
like that but I ended up uh yeah I asked
for a first spot but you just I don't
have any power I was just like I would
like to really go first if there is a
chance for me and I'm the least famous
person on the [Β __Β ] thing and they go
I go I think it would really behoove the
show for me to go early I've gone early
three in three different rows and it
worked out but I don't want to also be
like the last production company did it
this way because they might go well then
we're not doing it that way cuz we're
doing things differently so what were
the differences between the Comedy
Central version and the Netflix version
you think well the one was it was live
it was live um so that made it totally
different yeah I think I didn't think
about this before but after the fact
like you can say any like I never
censored myself but it would get bleeped
and bleeped things aren't as funny as
just saying it sometimes they are
sometimes a bleep is funnier than the
word right um but it was 100% live like
yeah no way so scary um was it better
having the Comedy Central run the roast
or was it better with n it was different
I think because this was live I was just
like why are they going to do like why
they because it was an event that's why
everyone watched it if this would have
been just like something that aired
later on I don't think it would have
been this good because there were just
it was like everyone was like what the
[Β __Β ] this is live it was really crazy
and that's why um in past rast I've done
really I've done this well before in
past rast I feel but when it after it's
edited everyone looks like they did that
good because of the magic of edting so
I've never had like this kind of Splash
not not that I've been like why didn't
more people say I was good it just I
never even thought to think that but I
was like I didn't this to me was like a
same that I've done on everyone but it
was just like it wasn't I just did a set
that wasn't edited that looked edited
because I knew it wouldn't be edited so
I didn't have the benefit of I'll tell
that joke and they'll just cut it if it
doesn't go well so I just had to make it
like perfect for you dude thanks man way
to think something through sometimes
it's so hard to figure out all those
little angles and piece them all
together it's really tough It's you know
and I got so much advice from my friends
who work in production and who work in
live production um my friends who are
just good writers good roast writers
like I just got like a lot of advice of
like how to frame it and um tell a story
and uh because you could just get up
there and just tell the best jokes and
like pick the best ones and that will be
a great set but there's other elements
to it too that make it fun and um and
can make it just more palatable I guess
yeah I think your level of confidence
too having had done it a lot I think
definitely helps Tony hinchcliff so good
let's talk about that for a second dudee
he was so good well there's first of all
there's nobody and I say this out of
sheer admiration I talk about his show
all the time yeah kill Tony gets a
100,000 people watching it live when it
goes on Wow on YouTube at the same time
I get it it's so good he was he was a
rockar that night I remember I just I
was like front row for it and he's
walking by me roasting and just like his
the steadiness of his Pace plus just
looking at like just going nice shoes to
you get those in the divorce like just
boo like just so smooth so confident who
is this guy perfect way to get into it
too because it starts out in the crowd
and you're just like who's this guy
doing a crowd bit that's like not the
same as what we're doing up here Dana
White does this thing Tony's like
sitting there and uh and then it you
know people know who he is obviously but
it at that event maybe not as much but
he owned that [Β __Β ] room within
seconds and it just starts out slow you