Chelsea Handler Criticizes Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe Over Roast Jokes

Comedian Chelsea Handler has publicly condemned the material presented by Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe during the recent Netflix special, The Roast of Kevin Hart. In a recent appearance on the podcast Funny Knowing You, hosted by Deon Cole, Handler labeled the comedians’ contributions as “racist,” “bigots,” and “sexist.”

Handler’s Critique of Roast Material

During the podcast discussion, Handler expressed a strong distaste for the performances, describing the experience of watching the roast as “ick” and “gross.” She specifically took issue with a joke made by Gillis regarding the lynching of Kevin Hart, stating, “Jokes about lynching Black people, lynching is not a joke. That’s worse than rape.”

Handler noted that her criticism was informed by her prior knowledge of both Gillis and Hinchcliffe. She claimed that she had been contacted by individuals identifying as former partners of Gillis, who provided her with information regarding his background. “It’s just everything we know, that they’re racist, that they’re bigots, they’re sexist,” Handler remarked during the conversation with Cole.

Context of the Controversy

The roast of Kevin Hart, which aired on Netflix, featured a variety of comedians taking the stage to trade insults. While roasting is a standard element of such events, Handler argued that the specific lines crossed by Gillis and Hinchcliffe were unacceptable. She also addressed jokes made at her own expense, noting that while she felt secure enough to handle being called names, she found the writing to be “lazy” and lacking in cleverness.

Shane Gillis, who was fired from Saturday Night Live in 2019 following the surfacing of a podcast clip containing ethnic slurs, has since returned to the show as a host and a guest. Handler referenced this history during her podcast appearance, suggesting that the comedian operates under the belief that he is “invincible.”

Response from Shane Gillis

In response to Handler’s public comments, Gillis provided a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday. Addressing the criticism, he stated, “This is a sizeable moment for Chelsea. I am glad she’s capitalizing. Good for her. We’re all rooting for her.” He concluded his statement by referencing an upcoming live performance.

Key Takeaways

• Public Criticism: Chelsea Handler publicly denounced Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe for their jokes during the Netflix roast of Kevin Hart.
• Specific Objections: Handler highlighted a joke regarding lynching as particularly offensive, stating that such topics should not be used as comedic material.
• Background Concerns: Handler cited information she claims to have received from former partners of Gillis as the basis for her assessment of his character.
• Gillis’ Response: Shane Gillis responded to the criticism by suggesting that Handler is capitalizing on the moment, while declining to engage further with her specific claims.

As of May 22, 2026, the discourse surrounding the boundaries of comedy in the era of high-profile streaming roasts continues to be a subject of public debate. Handler’s comments underscore a growing tension regarding the limits of acceptable discourse in professional comedy settings.