Ep 5. Martin Luther King Jr.

Historical Roasts is a comedy series that takes famous figures throughout history and satirizes them in a comedic roast-style. In this particular episode, episode 5 of season 1, the focus is on civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

The episode begins with a lively introduction from the host, comedian Jeff Ross. He welcomes the audience and explains the concept of the show - to roast historical figures, good and bad, in a comedic fashion. He then introduces Martin Luther King Jr. and sets the stage for the roasters to come.

The first roaster up is Benjamin Franklin, played by comedian John Gemberling. He starts off the roasting by poking fun at King's intelligence, noting that Franklin was once considered the smartest man in America, while King couldn't even finish his PhD. This sets the tone for the rest of the roast, with each roaster taking their turn to make fun of King's various quirks and shortcomings.

Next up is the iconic poet Maya Angelou, played by actress Yvette Nicole Brown. She pays homage to King's legacy and his impact on the civil rights movement, but still manages to sneak in some hilariously awkward jokes about his affairs and his somewhat questionable fashion choices.

Comedian and actor Nick Kroll takes the stage next, playing the controversial FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. He doesn't hesitate to make fun of King's personal life, going as far as to bring in some impersonators to play his mistresses and even poking fun at his untimely death. To say that his jokes are in poor taste would be an understatement, but the audience can't seem to resist laughing hysterically.

Following Hoover is the outspoken feminist and activist Gloria Allred, played by actress Natasha Leggero. She takes aim at King's less-than-progressive views on women's rights, but also manages to get in a few good zingers about his speeches and mannerisms.

Chris Redd, an actor and comedian known for his work on Saturday Night Live, plays civil rights leader Malcolm X in this episode. His jokes are less crude than some of the others, but still manage to hit King where it hurts - particularly focusing on his non-confrontational approach to activism.

One of the most memorable parts of the episode is a cameo from comedian and actor Will Sasso, who plays former president George Washington. He delivers a hilariously over-the-top roast of King, poking fun at everything from his physical appearance to his personal life and political beliefs.

Finally, the last roaster is Martin Luther King Jr. himself, played by the talented actor and comedian Jaleel White. He takes his turn at roasting his fellow historical figures, but also manages to bring some heart to the episode by highlighting King's achievements and contributions to society.

Overall, this episode of Historical Roasts manages to balance both humor and sincerity in its portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. Though the humor occasionally veers towards the tasteless, the episode still manages to pay tribute to King's important legacy and remind the audience of the impact he had on civil rights in America.