On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. A roast is a form roast chicken cider humor in which a specific individual, a guest of honor, is subjected to jokes at their expense, intended to amuse the event’s wider audience.

Such events are intended to honor a specific individual in a unique way. In addition to jokes and insult comedy, such events may also involve genuine praise and tributes. There is a parallel tradition in some countries in which the host of formal events, such as award ceremonies and annual dinners, is expected to good-naturedly mock the event’s attendees. In some cases, this has caused controversy when the host is seen as being too insulting. You can help by adding to it.

In 1949, the New York Friars Club held its first roast with French singer Maurice Chevalier as the guest of honor. Dean Martin hosted a series of roasts on television in 1974 as part of the final season of his self-titled variety show. Based on the success of these roasts, Comedy Central began hosting their own roasts on an approximately annual basis, under the name Comedy Central Roast. In 2010, Comedy Central’s international affiliates began to produce and air their own local roasts as well.

The Richard Pryor Show in 1977 was a roast of host Richard Pryor. Playboy produced one roast in 1986, of Tommy Chong, which aired on the Playboy Channel. Basketball player Shaquille O’Neal produced two editions of his Shaq’s All Star Comedy Roast: of himself in 2002, and of Emmitt Smith in 2003. The cable channel MTV produced one roast in 2003, of Carson Daly, which was billed as the MTV Bash.