Chelsea Handler Calls Out Shane Gillis for ‘Racist’ Roast Jokes as the Comedian Responds

Elizabeth RosnerThu, May 21, 2026 at 7:38 PM UTC

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Chelsea Handler and Shane Gillis attend The Roast of Kevin Hart
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty (2) -

Chelsea Handler criticized jokes made by Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart, calling the comedians “racist,” “bigoted” and “sexist”

Handler specifically took issue with jokes referencing lynching and remarks about Sheryl Underwood’s late husband, calling parts of the roast “gross” and “disgusting”

Gillis responded in a statement, saying of Handler’s criticism: “This is a big moment for Chelsea. I am glad she’s capitalizing”

Chelsea Handler is speaking out about jokes made during Netflix's The Roast of Kevin Hart, calling some remarks by Shane Gillis and Tony Hinchcliffe “racist,” “bigoted” and “sexist.”

The 51-year old comedian and author criticized the pair during Wednesday’s episode of Deon Cole’sFunny Knowing You podcast.

“It’s just everything we know — that they’re racist, that they’re bigots, that they’re sexist,” Handler said.

In response, Gillis, 38, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE: “This is a big moment for Chelsea. I am glad she’s capitalizing. Good for her. We’re all rooting for her. Anyway, come see me July 17th at the football stadium in Philly.”

Reps for Hinchcliffe and Hart did not respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

Chelsea Handler, Shane Gillis, Tony Hinchcliffe attend The Roast of Kevin Hart
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty (2); Connor Terry/EPA/Shutterstock

On the podcast, when Cole asked whether Handler enjoyed any of the comedians’ jokes during the roast, she didn’t mince words. “No. I mean, it was ick. It was gross,” she said.

Handler specifically called out a joke Gillis made referencing lynching.

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“It was gross. I don’t find those jokes to be funny, jokes about lynching Black people,” she said. “Lynching is not a joke. That’s worse than rape. You’re not joking about rape, are you? … You know you can’t do that, but you can say ‘lynching’?”

Handler also blasted Hinchcliffe, 51, for his comments about Sheryl Underwood’s late husband, Michael Sparkman, who died by suicide in 1990.

“I found them making fun of Sheryl Underwood’s dead husband who committed suicide,” Handler said. “If she says she’s fine with that, she’s fine with that. I wasn’t fine with that. I thought that was disgusting too.”

However, Underwood defended the jokes during an appearance on Gillis’ Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast that same day, saying, “Sometimes humor is the thing.”

“There was so much disgustingness,” Handler continued. “I knew it was going to be such a gross vibe that I would be able to elevate it, no problem. … Kevin didn’t deserve that. He deserved an elevated roast.”

Handler was among the featured performers during Netflix’s live roast honoring Hart, 51, alongside comedians like Pete Davidson and Tiffany Haddish, and celebrity guests, including Tom Brady, Regina Hall, Dwayne Johnson and more who took turns roasting the star.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”