The Justin Bieber Roast approaches and the Roast Master has been revealed as comic-actor Kevin Hart, not Jeff Ross as previously thought.
The news was revealed by host network Central Comedy via Twitter early Monday.
Ladies & gentlemen, your #BieberRoast Roast Master is @KevinHart4Real ! You ready, @JustinBieber ? pic.twitter.com/RarJIHBDdm
— Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) February 9, 2015
According to E!’s Marc Malkin , the highly anticipated public skewering of the 20-year-old singer will be taped on March 14.
Comedy Central revealed Bieber’s roast will air on March 30 at 10 p.m. The forthcoming takedown was repeatedly requested by the star to mark his milestone 21st birthday.
Previously TMZ reported the Biebs views the event as “therapy,” as a way for him to own up to past, inappropriate behavior and draw a line under it. That appears to follow the line taken the singer in a confession/apology video that he posted to his social media accounts after his first appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on January 29.
In the video, Bieber called some of his past conduct “arrogant” and “conceited.”
In a second, surprise turn on Ellen , he added that he was “not proud” of his past behavior but was “passionate about getting better and growing.”
This is gonna be good. #neverscared #kindascared lol @KevinHart4real @ComedyCentral #BieberRoast pic.twitter.com/E3xWXVYEuS
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) February 9, 2015
Following today’s reveal, a little banter was tweeted between Hart — who is a friend of the Biebs — and the singer.
Bieber first direct tweeted Hart saying the Ride Along star was the “only person that made sense,” before inviting the 35-year-old to “bring it on.”
@ComedyCentral @KevinHart4real haha. Yes!!! Only person that made sense. Ok Kev…bring it! Lol #BieberRoast
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) February 9, 2015
Replying in kind, Hart promised:
Oh don’t you worry @justinbieber it will be brought….. #BieberRoast ….Good luck my friend
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) February 9, 2015
The Wrap reports, Hart said, “I don’t normally do roasts but I had to step out for my guy Biebs … It’s his big 21. It’s about to be ‘operation roast everyone’s ass.’”
Comedy Central’s president of original programming, Kent Alterman, chimed in.
“They say only a good friend would verbally eviscerate another good friend for all his vulnerabilities. Kevin Hart is a very good friend.”
The “Comedy Central Roast Of Justin Bieber” will be executive produced by Joel Gallen from Tenth Planet Productions, who has executive produced and directed past Comedy Central Roasts.
Last month, radio and TV host Ryan Seacrest’s website first announced the Justin Bieber Roast was in motion.
“Justin has been asking us for years to roast him,” said Comedy Central at the time, “so we kept telling him to create some more material and we’re thrilled he listened.”
The singer followed up, tweeting, “Finally after all that hard work for my 21st birthday it’s happening. Thanks @RyanSeacrest & @ComedyCentral for the announcement. Let’s do it (sic).”
“For years I have wanted Comedy Central to roast me. They said only if I provided them w/ more material so for a year now I have worked hard,”‘ Justin joked, echoing an earlier quip by a Comedy Central honcho.
It goes without saying that Hart and the rest have an embarrassment of riches in terms of material to choose from to roast Bieber .
Bring it on indeed.
[Images via The Wall Group ]