Watch Historical Roasts

Historical Roasts is a Netflix original series that combines history and comedy in an unprecedented way. The show takes a satirical look at historical figures, events, and pop culture by "roasting" them, as if they were guests of honor at a celebrity roast. Each episode is hosted by the "Roastmaster General" himself, Jeff Ross, who introduces his guests of honor, played by a revolving cast of actors and comedians. The guests are portrayed in period costumes and full makeup to look like their historical counterparts.

The show's first season premiered in May 2019, with a mix of well-known and obscure figures being roasted, including Abe Lincoln, Anne Frank, Martin Luther King Jr., and Freddie Mercury, to name a few. Some episodes were more controversial than others, with some critics questioning the appropriateness of roasting sensitive subjects like Anne Frank and MLK Jr.

One of the most memorable episodes was the roast of Abraham Lincoln, played by Bob Saget. The episode was particularly funny, as Saget delivered witty one-liners in a high-pitched Southern accent, making fun of everything from Lincoln's height to his beard. Jeff Ross, who played General Ulysses S. Grant, made several references to his own Jewish heritage, effectively mocking the Confederacy's anti-Semitic beliefs.

Other standout episodes include the roast of Princess Diana, played by Natasha Leggero, who delivered a hilarious performance, mocking Diana's reputation for being "the people's princess." John Stamos played John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin, with a devilish charm, delivering some of the funniest lines of the episode.

The show's comedian guests often steal the show, with hilarious performances by the likes of Gilbert Gottfried and Jon Lovitz. Gottfried played a hilarious Anne Frank, shocking the audience with his dark, cringe-worthy jokes. Lovitz played Sigmund Freud, delivering a hilarious deadpan performance, making fun of everything from Freud's theories to his infamous couch.

The show's creators often take creative liberties with historical accuracy, allowing the comedians to make jokes about events that didn't actually happen. This can be both a strength and a weakness of the show, as it allows for more comedic freedom, but may also lead to historical inaccuracies.

Overall, Historical Roasts is an entertaining and humorous show that is both educational and irreverent. While some episodes may be more successful than others, the overall concept of the show is engaging, and the performances by the actors and comedians are top-notch. For those who enjoy history and comedy, Historical Roasts is a must-watch.

Historical Roasts is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between May 27, 2019 and on Netflix